Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-17

the dogs fed, and they themselves
thawed out. They fell asleep shortly
to the sound Of the mournful bowling
Of the dogs outside.
Long before daybreak they were
afoot again. Holt went out to chop
some wood for the stove while Gordon
made breakfast preparations. The
little miner brought in an armful Of
wood and went out to get a second
supply. A few moments later Elliot
heard cry.
He stepped out of the tent and ran
to the spot where Holt was lying under
mass Of Ice and snow. The young
man threw aside the broken blocks
that had plunged down from ledge
above.
BADLY hurt, GidT' he asked.
II done bust my laig,, son." the old
man answered with twisted grin.
you mean that 1t is brokenr
TELL you that In q minute"
he felt hiS leg carefully and with
Hlliors help tried to get up. Groan-
Ing, he Slid back to the snow.
yep. She's busted" he announced.
Gordon carried him to the tent and
laid him down carefully. The old
miner swore softly.
saint this a devil Of a note, boyp
You'll have to get me to Smiths Cross
ing and leave me there"
It was the only thing to be done.
Elliot broke camp and packed the sled.
Upon the load he put his companion.
we'll wrappedsup in furs.
Two miles up the road Gordon stopped
his team sharply. He had turned q
bend In the trail and had come upon
an empty stage buried in the snow.
The fear that had been uppermost
in Elliot's mind for twenty-four hours
clutched at his throat. Was it trag-
edy upon which he had come after
his long Journey
Holt guessed the truth. 'They got
stalled and cut loose the horses. Must
have tried to ride the cayuses to
shelter"
do Smiths Crossing" asked Cor
don,
Expect So" Then, with a whoop,
the man on the sled contradicted him
self. mo, by Moses, to Dick Tiddler's
old cabin up the draw. That's where
saltwater would aim for till the big
lard was over"
aWhere Il itf' demanded his ftisaa
"Swing over to the right and follow
the little gulch. I'll wait till you come
back"
started on f6e Instant. Easernals,
anxiety, dread, fought In his heart. he
knew that any moment now he might
stumble upon the evidence Of the sad
story which is repeated IN Alasks
many TIMES every winter. It rang In
him like a bell that where tough
| hardy miners succumbed frail girl
| would have small chance.
He cut across over the hill toward
the draw, and at what he saw his pulse
quickened. Smoke was pouring out Of
the chimney Of cabin and falling
grOundward, as 1t does in the Arctic
during very cold weather. Had neba
found safety therei
As he pushed forward the rising sun
flooded the earth with pink and struck
q, million sparkles Of color from the
| snow. The wonder Of 1t drew the eyes
Of the young man for moment toward
the hills.
| A tumult Of joy flooded his veins,
The girl who held in her soft hands
the happiness Of his life stood looking
at him. 1t seemed to him that she
was the core Of all that lovely tide Of
radiance. He moved toward her and
looked down into the trench where she
waited. Swiftly he kicked of biz
snowshoes and leaped down beside her,
The CLEAN Of tears was in her eyes
az she held out both hands to him
During the long look they gave each
other something wonderful to. both Of
| them was born into the world.
When he tried to speak his hoarse
voice broke. "Sheba- little Sheba
Safe, after all. Thank God, you
you" He swallowed the lump in his
throat and tried again. IF you knew
God, how I have suffered was
afraid dared not let myself think
A live pulse beat in her white throat
The tears brimmed over. Then, some,
/ how, she was in his arms weeping. Hell