The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1918-06-21
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 Hazel's 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
by the scent Of the meat Two or
three Of these Haza 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 certitu6e. Nevertheless,
struggle against II as she might. know
ing II for pure psychological phenom.
ena arising out Of her harsh environ
rnVnt, Hazel suffered continual vague
fceobodings. The bald. white peaks
seemed to surround her like q prison
from which there could be no release
From day to day she was harassed by
disual 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 Il 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 q 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 nm 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
shoveled IL away to let light to the
windows. Day after day they kept
indoors. stoking up the IRE, listening
to the triumphant whoop Of the winds.
"Snow, snowi" Hazel burst out one
day. frost that cuts you like q
knife. wish we were home agaln--or
some place."
$50 do ]. little person." Bin said
gently. "But springs almost at the
door. Hang on little longer. We've
made fair stake. anyway, II we don't
wash an ounce Of gold"
How are we going to get it all outr'
She voiced troublesome thought.
shoulder pack to the Skeena," he
answered laconlcally. Build q dugout
there. and float downstream. Portage
tho rapids as they come"
~Oh. Bill" she came and leaned
her head against him contritely. sOur
poor pouiesl And It was all my care
lOognaps."
Never mind. hon." he comforted.
They blinked out without suffering.
And we'll make it like q charm. Be
gnme-it'll soon be spring"
BY April the twentieth the abdica-
don Of Jack Frost was complete. "A
t1ndlier dseDct ruled the land, and Bill
Wagsta6 began to talk Of gold.
~. s4ss precious yellow metal sousat
1n rogionS desolato. 4s
sus1uSd IN patient hope or furicus
nsss1sr q a!scord wars. ana murder
1hs vioter's spoil
- Hazel quoted. leaning over her
nu6Dand's shoulder. In the bottom OF
~ pnu. shtnfnG among Aim Of black
md IAS haif : de1en bright speckA