The Arvada enterprise., 1918-08-08
CHAPTER XII.
jack Frost withdraw.

Jack Frost Withdraw.
An through the month Of January
each evening. - dusk folded it, SOM
Der mantle about the meadow. the
wolves gathered to feast on the dead
horses, till Hassl's nerves were
strained to the mapping point Some
times, when Bill was gone. and all
about the cabin was utterly still. one.
boldsr 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 rife.
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 certitude. Nevertheless,
struggle against It a. she might, know
ing II for pure psychological phenom-
ena arising out Of her harsh environ
ment, Hasel suffered continual vague
forcbodings. The bald, white peaks
seemed to surround her like prison
from which there could be no release.
From day to day she was harassed by
dismal thoughts. She would wake in
the night clutching at her husband.
Such days a. he went out alone she
passed In restless anxiety. Something
would happen. What 1t 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-
ouy Of the days faded into the back
ground. But they. NO moro 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
b. . 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
fuHously across the calendar. Higher
and higher the drifts piled about the
cabin. till 1t length II was banked to
the caves With snow save where Bill
shoveled II away to let light to the
windows. Day after day they kept
Indoors, stoking up the fire. listening
to the triumphant whoop Of the winds.
"Snow. snowi" Ha1el burst out one
day. Frost that cuts you like q
knife. wish We were home again-or
some place."
$50 do I. little person." Bill said
gently. "But springs almost at the
door. Hang on q little longer. We've
made fair stake, anyway, II we don't
wash an ounce Of gold"
How are We going to get II all outi"
She voiced Q troublesome thought.
SHOULDER pack to the skcena." he
answered laconically. Build dugout
there. and noat downstream. Portage
the rapids % they come"
''Oh. Bul" She came and leaned
her head against him contrttely. "Our
poor ponies! And Il was all my caro-
lessness."
"Never mind. hon." he comfortcd.
They blinked out without suffering.
And we'll make Il like = charm. lie
same-it'll soon be spring"
by April the twentieth the abdica.
don Of Jack Frost was complete. A
kindiicr dcspot ruled the land. and Bill
WngstaR began to talk Of gold.
-. that precious yellow metal sought
BY men
In regions deoolAtA
Pur.usd In patient hope or furious
Breeder o. dIscora wara aad murder.
Gus hate;
The sictoF'o spoil.
N Hazel quoted. leaning over her
husbands shoulder. n the bottom Of
his pan. shining among Q aim Of black
sand. lay hslf q dosen bright speeks.