Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-03-22
CHAPTER XII.
lack Frost Withdraws.

III
Jack Frost Withdraws.
All through the month Of January
each evening, as dusk folded its SOM
Der mantle about the meadow, the
wolves gathered to feast on the dead
horses. till Hnzeps nerves were
strained to the swapping point. Some
times, when Bill vas gone, and all
about the cabin was utterly still, me-,
holder or hungrier than his fellows,
would trot across the meadow, drawn
by the scent of the meat. Two or
three Of these Hazel shot with her
own rifle.
But when February marked another
span on the calendar the wolves came
no more. The bones were clean.
There was no impending misfortune
or danger that she could point to or
forecast with gertrude. Nevertheless,
struggle against 1t as she might, know
ing Il for pure psychological phenom-
n arising out of her harsh environ
ment. Hazel suffered continual vague
forebodings. The bald, white peaks
NNNnANA W SUI UNlu UtI Int a BAAoOA
from which there could be nc release.
From day to day she was harassed by
dismal thoughts. She would wake in
the night clutching at her husband.
Such days as he went out alone she
passed In restless anxiety. Something
would happen. What it would be she
did not know, but to her it seemed
that the bleak stage was set for I'M
toward drama. and they two the pup
pets that must play.
When Bill drew her up close in his
arms, the intangible menac Of the
wilderness and all the dreary monot-
ony Of the days faded into the back
ground. But they, no more than 9TH
ers who have tried and failed for lack
OF understanding, could not live their
lives with their heads in an emotional
cloud. For every action there must
be n corresponding reaction. They
who have the capacity to reach the
heights must likewise. upon occasion,
plumb the depths. Life, she began to
realize, resolved itself into an unend-
ing succession of little. trivial things,
with here and there some great event
looming out above all the rest for its
bestowal OF happiness or pain.
February and March stormed a path
furiously across the calendar. Higher
and higher the drifts piled about the
cabin. TIL at length 1t was banked to
the caves with snow q v where Bill
shoveled II awny TO let light to the
windows. Day after day they kept
Indoors, stocking up the fire, listening
to the triumphant whoop Of the winds.
Snow, snowi" Hazel burst out one
day. Frost that cuts you like a
knife. I wish we were home again-or
some place"
$50 do I, little person." Bill said
gently. But springs almost at the
door. Hang on a little longer. We've
made n fair stake. anyway, IL we don't
wash an ounce Of gold"
How are we going to get 1t all outT'
She voiced a troublesome thought.
shoulder pack to the Skeena," he
answered laconically. Build a dugout
there, and float downstream. Portage
the rapids rs they come"
"Oh. Biur r. She came and leaned
her head against him contritely. "Our
poor p%oniesl And 1t was all my care
lessness."
Never mind, hon." he comforted
"They blinked out without suffering
And Wen make 1t like a charm. BE
game-itTl soon be spring"
BY April the twentieth the abdica
tion Of Jack Frost was complete. A
kindller despot ruled the land, and Bill
Wagstaf began to talk Of gold.
.
that precious yellow metal sough
In regions d~esolate.
Pursued in patient hope or furiou.
Breeder Of discord. wars, and murder
Gus hate:
The victor's spoil.
So Hazel quoted, leaning over he
husbands shoulder. In the bottom O
his pan. shining among a film of blacl
sand, lay half a dozen bright specks
varying from pin-point size to the big
ness of a grain OF wheat.
That's the stuff" Bill murmureC
ut looks as IL we'd struck it prett
fair. It's time, too-the June rise Wi
hit us like a whirlwind one of thes
DAYS"
about what Is the value of thos
l;ttle piecesT' Hazel asked.
"oh. fifty or sixty cents" he ar
svered. "Not much by itself. But
seems to be uniform over the bar
md | can wash n good many pans 1
q days work"
81 should think So" she remarke,
ut didn't take you ten minutes to d
that one"
"whitey Lewis and I tool out ovt
two hundred dollars a day on tn,
other creek last spring-no. a year la
spring, IL was he observed remini
Gently. "This isn't as good, but it's n,
20 be sneezed at, either. l think I
make me n rocker"
II can help, can't II" she said e
gerly.
"Sure,' he smi I. "You help q IL
little person, just sitting around al
keeping me company"
"But I want 10 work" she declare
"rve sat around now till I'm gettiI
the idgets."
"All right I'll give you n job"
returned goo~d-naturedly. "Meantln