Gilpin observer., 1918-06-20


tor. 'But when It isn't all right it's
h|." "
'Tt is not fifty below yet, is itf'
"Nope. But she's on the way. When
your breath makes a kinder cracking
noise she's fifty"
There soon was a crust on the snow
that held up the dogs and the sled SO
that trail breaking was not necessary.
The little party pounded steadily over
the barren hills. There was no sign
Of life except what they brought with
them into the greater silence beyond.
Each Of the men wrapped long
scarf around his mouth and nose for
protection, and as the part in front of
his face became a sheet Of ice shifted
the muffier to another place.
Night fell in the middle of the aft
ernoon, but they kept travelling. Not
till they were well up toward the sum-
init of the divide did they decide to
camp. They drove into little draw
and embarrassed the weary dogs. 1t
was bitterly cold, but they were forced
to set up the tent and stove to keep
from freezing. Their numbed fingers
made slow job Of the camp prepara-
tions. At last the stove was going,
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 a 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 a ledge
above.
BADLY hurt, Gid?" he asked.
II done bust my laig, son." the old
man answered with a twisted grin.
"You mean that it is brokenW
"Tell you that in minute"
He felt his leg carefully and with
Elliot's 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.
"Ain't this devil of a note, boy?
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,
well wrapped up in furs.
Two miles up the road Gordon stopped
his team sharply. He had turned
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 1t trag-
edy upon which he had come after
his long Journey
Holt guessed the truth. 'aThey got
stalled and cut loose the horses. Must
have tried to ride the cayuses to
shelter"
ITO Smiths CrosslngY asked Cor
don.
Expect so." Then, with a whoop.
the man on the sled contradicted him
self. "No, by Moses, to Dick Fiddler's
old cabin up the draw. That's where
Swiftwater would aim for till the buz-
zard was over"
"where is 1T" demanded his friend.
"Swing over to the right and follow
the little gulch. TIL wait till you come
back"
Gordon dropped the gee-pole and
started on the instant. Eagerness,
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 Alaska
many times every winter. 1t rang in
him like 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 It does in the Arctic
during very cold weather. Had Sheba
found safety there7
AS he pushed forward the rising sun
flooded the earth with pink and struck
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 his
snowshoes and leaped down beside her.
The CLEAN Of tears was in her eyes
as she held out both hands to him.
During the long look they gave each
other something wonderful to both Of