The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-12-27

the fever, and is calling for you all the
| time"
II must go to him at once" qua
vered Marta.
sect your traps" spoke Dale. 1--WE
got my sled and the four dogs and
we can whisk you there In a jiffy, If
1t isn't too far"
at is half way between the settle
ment and here" said Marta. ut is
out Of your way. l have tramped 1t
before"
"You won't this time" declared Dale
stanchly. Poor little snowbirdl" he
added sorrowfully. "My heart feels
for you"
He placed Marta as carefully among
the sleigh robes as though she were
some grand lady. 1t took five hours
to reach Danby's. In double hut be-
longing to an old, decrepit Indian they
found the old man, dying, indeed. The
Indian had partitioned off one corner
Of the dreary, shedlike structure with
skins, kept smoky oil lamp going for
heat and was dispensing to his doomed
patient a decoction Of herbs.
"Um-good medicine" he told the
newcomers, "but him not live. Fire
water poison him think" and he sol
emily tapped his head.
Lew Klnyon was nearing the col
lapse of the faculties he had weakened
with liquor. He recognized his STEP
daughter, but raved and raved, his
mental agony superseding his physical
pain and commissions. All his thoughts
seemed to be on the life he had vast
ed. Some wild idea had filled his mind
that If he could get to a church and
at its holy altar pray, that his sins
might be forgiven and he could pass
away peacefully amid the holy calm
Of the sacred place.
"He will not live" Dale told Marta,
who tried to do all she could for the
sufferer in busy ministrations. 81 shall
not leave you"
Her wistful, longing eyes silently
thanked him. Her stepfather never
ceased amid his shrleking delirium TO
cry out for forgiveness for his wasted
life. The altar of mercy alone should
save his soul! He pictured out men
tally a church scene in the far past
where he had made new resolutions at
the altar, alas only to break them
The anguish OF remorse was consum-
ing him.
II have something to do" spoke
Dale, after pityingly watching the suf-
ferer for some time. He beckoned to
the Indian, and, leaving Marta alone
at the side of her stepfather, went past
the hanging skins into the cheerless
untenanted portion Of the big hut. Dale
searched among his traps. 1t was to
bring to light case Of his old clay
modelling tools. He had always kept
them with him. He paid the Indian
some money, who assisted him In
bringing into the hut from the outside
half a hundred baskets full of snow.
Then, on this mere fringe of civilIza-
ton the artist piled his calling for a
strange purpose.
AT length he had the snow altar COM
pleted, perfect replica Of one he had
seen in marble, even to the two angel
sentinels at its side, and skilled work
showed the perfection Of genius. He
placed half a score of thick candles
provided by the Indian about the altar
and lighted them.
They lifted Lew Kinyon on his rude
couch past the skin curtains and IN
front of the altar. In moment the
wild rawlings ceased. Across the worn
face there stole a smile of ineffable
relief.
His fevered hand rested respectfully
in that of Marta, and, babbling of
green fields and the happy past. he
passed away In peace.
"Will you come with me-friend,
slster?" asked Rigby Dale gently the
next day, after they had buried her
stepfather. "It is many miles, there
are dangers, perils, but we must reach
another world than this"
Marta broke down utterly. She sank
to snow hummock, and he beside her
held her In his arms, soothing her, pa
tiNhlt BlAgihSs uhlll Idb Nlltu Oul
her grief. Then, strong, reliant, as
became a daughter Of the far North,
she placed both hands confdingly in
his own.
He led her along the slant to where
the dogs and sledge were waiting. To
gether they went down the steep In
cline, hand In hand-went down to
face the thousand miles of wilderness,
comrades true as steel, one TO the
other, went down to fight the battle
of the Ice trail together, hopeful true
children of the heart.
One month later at the final verge
of civilization, man and wife, made
strong through an abiding love, those
two faced a new world, unafraid of its
n 4