The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1918-06-13
CHAPTER XII.
Jack Frost Withdraws.

All through the month of January
each evening, as dusk folded its SON.
Der mantle about the meadow, the
wolves gathered to feast on the dead
horses till Hazels nerves were
strained TO the swapping point. Some
times, when Bill was gone, and all
about the cabin was utterly STILL one,
bOlder or hungrier than his fellows,
would trot across the meadow, drawn
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
nr danger that she could point to or
forecast with gertrude. Nevertheless,
struggle against IT rs she might, know
ing it for pure psychological phenom-
ena arising out of her harsh environ
ment. Hazel suffered continual vague
forebOdings. The bald, white peaks
seemed to surround her like n prison
from which there could be no release.
From day to day she was harassed by
dismal thoughts. She would wake in
the night clutchng 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 un-
toward drama, and they two the pup
pets that must play.
| When Bill drew her up close in his
arms, the intangible menace 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 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 path
furiously across the calendar Higher
and higher the drifts piled about the
cabin, till at length ii was banked to
the caves with snow save where Bill
NhnEnlnI II TO Lot fp,,t e., In
windows. Day after day they kept
Indoors, stoking up the fire, listening
to the triumphant whoop of the winds.
"Snow, snow" Hazel burst out one
day. Frost that cuts you like a
knife. ! wish we were home again-or
some place"
$50 do |, little person." Bill said
gently. But springs almost at the
door. Hang on little longer. We've
made fair stake anyway, if we don't
wash an ounce Of gold"
"How are we going to get 1t all out?"
She voiced a troublesome thought.
shoulder pack to the Skeena," he
answered laconlcally. Build dugout
there, and float downstream. Portage
the rapids as they come"
"Oh, Bill" She came and leaned
her head against him contrltely "Our
poor ponies! And it was all my care
lessness."
"Never mind, hon." he comforted.
'They bllnked out without suffering.
And we'll make it like a charm. Be
game-it'll soon be spring"
BY April the twentieth the abdica.
ton of Jack Frost was complete. A
kindller despot ruled the land, and Bill
Wagstaff began to talk of gold.
.. that precious yellow metal sought
by men
In regions desolate.
Pursued in patient hope or furious
toll;
Breeder Of dlscord, wars, and murder
Gus hate;
The victors spoil
So Hazel quoted, leaning over her
husbands shoulder. In the bottom of
his pan, shining among film of black
sand, lay half dozen bright specks,
varying from pln-point size to the big
ness OF a grain Of wheat.
"That's the stuff" Bill murmured
ut looks as II we'd struck it pretty
fair. It's time, too-the June rise will
hit us like a whirwind one of these
days"
"About what Is the value of those
little plecesT Hazel asked.
"Oh, fifty or sixty cents" he an
swered. "Not much by itself. But it
seems to be uniform over the bar
and can wash a good many pans in
days work"
II should think So" she remarked
"It didn't take you ten minutes to do
that one"