The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-07-12

belt.
Kazan paid no attention to him. An
other form had approached out Of the
night, and stood now In the circle OF
illumination made by the lanterns. 1t
was McCready, who was to accompany
Thorpe and his young wife back to the
Red River camp, where Thorpe was In
charge Of the building OF the new
Transcontinental. The man was
straight, powerfully built and clean.
shaven. His jaw was so square that
it was brutal, and there was a glow in
his eyes that was almost like the pas
sion in Kazan's as he looked at Isobel.
McCready shifted his gaze, and in
stantly her hand fell on Kazan's head.
For the first time the dog did not seem
to feel her touch. He still Snarled
at McCready, the rumbling menac In
his throat growing deeper. Thorpe's
wife tugged at the chain.
Down, Kazan-down she COM
manded.
At the sound Of her voice he relaxed.
bphh : ~ l'i'NbAth, dAL hti ih'N
hand fell on his head again. He skunk
to her feet. But his lips We're still
drawn back. Thorpe was watching
him. He wondered at the deadly ven
ON hat shot from the wOllish eyes,
and looked at McCready. The big
guide had u~ncoiled his long dog-whip.
A strange look had come into his face.
He was staring hard at KaZan. Sud
denly he leaned forward, with both
hands on his knees, and for ii II
moment or two he seemed to forget
that ISobel Thorpe's wonderful blue
eyes were looking at him.
"HoO-koosh, Pedro-charge!"
That one word-charge-was taught
only to the dogs in the service of the
Northwest Mounted police. Kazan did
not move. McCready Strengthened,
and. quick as a shot, sent the long lash
Of his whip curling out into the night
with a crack dixie a pistol report.
Charge, Pedro-charge, :"
The rumble in Kazan's throat deep
ened to "A snarling growl, but not a
muscle Of his body moved. McCready
turned to Thorpe.
81 could have sworn that knew that
dog" he said. "If it's Pedro, he's
bad"
Thorpe was taking the chain. Only
the girl saw the look that came for an
instant into McCready's face. 1t 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 wen 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 him?"
She drew Kazan toward him, with
Thorpe holding the end of the chain
McCready came to her side as she bent
over the dog. His back was tC
Thorpe as he hunched down. Isobel's
bowed head was within a foot Of hi.
face. He could see the glow In hel
cheek and the pouting curve Of hel
mouth as she quoted the low rumbline
In Kazan's throat. Thorpe stood ready
to pull back on the chain, but for 6
moment McCready was between hin
and his wife, and he could not SCI
McCready's face. The mans eye.
were not on Kazan. He was staring
at the girl.
you're brave" he said. II dom
dare do that. He would take of IN!
hand!"
He took the lantern from Thorpe
and led the way to a narrow snow
path branching off from the track
Hidden back in the thick spruce wa.
the camp that Thorpe had left a fort
night before. There were two tents
there now in place Of the one that HI
and his guide had used. A big fir
was burning in front of them. Clos
to the fire was q long sledge, ant
fastened to trees just within the Quite
circle Of freight Kazan saw tn
shadowy forms and cleaning eyes o
his teammates. He stood stiff and mo
tiOnless while Thorpe fastened him t
q sledge. Once more he was back II
his forests-and in command. Hi
mistress was laughing and clappin,
her hands delightedly In the excite
ment of the strange and wonderful lif
Of which she had now become a part
Thorpe had thrown back the flap o
their tent, and she vas entering ahea'
Of him. She did not look back. Sh
spoke no word to him. He whined
and turned his red eyes on McCready
In the tent Thorpe was saying:
I'm sorry old Jackpine wouldn't g
back with us. Issy. He drove m
down, but for love or money I couldn'
get him to return. He's a Mission In
dian, and I'd give a months salary I
have you see him handle the dogs. II
- c,,vo about this man MCCrcNdy