Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-06-14
CHAPTER xI.
The Tragedy on Sun Rock.

All tnat Gay huzun SudrueO tne tOk
Of the Sun Rock. Fate, aud the feal
and brutality Of masters, had hereto
fore kept him from fatherhOod, and he
WINS puzzled. Something told him now
that he belonged to the Sun Rock, and
not to the cabin. The call that came
to him from over the plain was not SC
strong. At dusk Gray Wolf came Out
from her retreat, and skunk to his side
wLmpering, and nipped gently at his
shaggy neck. It was the old instinct OF
his fathers that made him respond by
caressing Gray VOLTS face with his
tongue. Then Gray VOLTS jaws opened,
and she laughed in short painting
breaths, as II she had been hard run.
She was happy, and as they heard a
little snufiiing sound from between the
rocks, Kazan wagged his tail, and Gray
Wolf darted back to her young.
The babyish cry and its effect upon
Gray Wolf taught Kazan his first les
son In fatherhood. Instinct again told
him that Gray Wolf could not 60 down
to the hunt with him now-that she
must stay at the top Of the Sun Rock.
So when the moon rose he went down
alone, and toward dawn returned with
a big white rabbit between his jaws. II
was the wild in him that made him do
this. and Gray Wolf ate ravenously.
Then he knew that each night here
after he must hunt for Gray Wolf
and the little whimpering creatures
hidden between the two rocks.
The next day, and still the next, he
did not 60 to the cabin, though he
heard the voices Of both the man and
the woman calling him. On the fifth
he went down. and Joan and the baby
were 50 glad that the woman Rugged
him, and the baby kicked and laughed
and screamed at him, while the man
stood by cautiously. watching their
demonstrations with a CLEAN Of disap-
probation In his eyes.
'I'm afraid of him." he told Joan for
the hundredth time. That's the wolf
CLEAN in his eyes. He's Of q treacher-
Gus breed. Sometimes l wish we'd
never brought him home"
III we hadn't-where would the baby
have gomez" Joan reminded him, a
little catch in her voice.
II had almost forgotten that" said
her husband. "Kazan, you old devil, /
guess I love you, too" He laid his
hand caressingly on Kazan'S head.
"Wonder how hen take to life down
there?" he asked. HE has always
been used to the forests. It'll seem
mighty strange"
"And so-have I-always been used
to the forests" whispered Joan. II
guess that's why ! love Kazan-next to
you and the baby. Kazan-dear old
KazanI"
This time Kazan felt and scented
more Of that mysterious change In the
cabin. Joan and her husband talked
necessarily Of their plans when they
were together; and when the man was
away Joan talked to the baby, and to
him. And each time that he came
down to the cabin during the week that
followed, he grew more and more rest
less, until at last the man noticed the
change In him.
II believe he knows" he said to Joan
one evening. II believe he knows we're
preparing to leave" Then he added:
''The river was rising again today. 1t
will be another week before we can
start, perhaps longer"
That same night the moon flooded
the top Of the Sun Rock with q golden
light, and out into the glow Of II came
Gray Wolf, with her three little whelps
tOddlIng behind her. There was much
about these soft little balls that
tumbled about him and snuggled In
his tawny coat that reminded Kazan
Of the baby. At times they made the
same queer, soft little sounds, and they
staggered about on their four little
legs Just as helplessly as baby Joan
made her way about on two. He did
not fondle them, as Gray Wolf did,
but the touch Of them, and their baby-
ish uhimperings, filled him with q Kind
e pleasure that be had hstsf expert