Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-05-03

ened to a snarllng growl, but not 4
muscle Of his body moved. McCready
turned to Thorpe.
~ could have sworn that ! knew that
dog" he said. IF it's Pedro, he's
badr
Thorpe was taking the chain. Only
the girl saw the look that came for an
instant Into McCready's face. II made
her shiver. A few minutes before,
when the train first stopped at Les
Pas, she had offered her hand to this
man, and she had seen the same thing
then. But even as she shuddered she
recalled the many things her husband
had told her Of the forest people. She
had grown to love them, to admire
their big. rough manhood and loyal
hearts, before he had brought her
among them; and suddenly she smiled
at 'McCready. struggling to overcome
that thrill Of fear and dislike.
He doesn't like you" she laughed
at him softly. "won't you make friends
with hlmr"
She drew Kazan toward him, with
Thorpe holding the end Of the chain.
McCready came to her side % abe bent
over the dog. His back was to
Thorpe a. he hunched down. Isobel's
bowed head was within q foot Of his
face. He could see the glow In her
cheek and the poutlng curve Of her
mouth az she Quleted the low rumbllng
In Kazan'S throat. Thorpe stood ready
to pull back on the chain, but for q
moment McCready was between him
and his wife. and he could not see
McCready's face. The mans eyes
were not on Kazan. he was staring
at the girl.
"You're brave" he said. II don't
dare do that. he would take or my
handw
he took the lantern from Thorpe
and led the way to q narrow snow
path branching on from the track.
Hidden back In the thick spruce was
the camp that Thorpe had left q fort
night before. There were two tents
there now In place Of the one that he
and his guide had used. A big fire
was burning In front Of them. Close
TO the fire was long sledge. and
fastened to trees just within the outer
circle Of freight Kazan saw the
shadowy forms and cleaning eyes Of
his teammates. He stood stiff and mo-
tlonless while Thorpe fastened him to
q sledge. Once more he was back IN
his forests-and In command His
mistress was laughing and clapping
her hands delightedly In the excite.
ment Of the strange and wonderful life
Of which she had now become a part.
Thorpe had thrown back the flap Of
their tent, and she was entering ahead
Of him. She did not look back. She
spoke no word to him. he whined,
and turned his red eyes on McCready.
In the tent Thorpe was saying:
am sorry old Jackpine wouldn't 60
back with US, Issy. he drove me
down, but for love or money / couldn't
get him to return. Hes q Mission In
dian, and I'd give q months salary to
have you see him handle the dogs. I'm
not sure about this man McCready.
He's q queer chap, the company's agent
here tells me, and knows the woods
like a book. But dogs don't like q
stranger. Kazan isn't going to take
to him worth O cent?"
Kazan heard the girls voice. and
stood rigid and moncnless listening to
It. He did not hear or see McCready
when he came up stealthlly behind
him. The mans voice came as sud.
denly as q shot at his heels.
"Pedrow
In an instant KaSan cringed a. II
touched by lash.
"Got you that time-dldn't !, you old
devil" whispered McCready, his face
strangely pale In the freight.
Changed your name, ehi But I got
VOu-didn't r.
ITO DO OontinuOd)