Middletown transcript., 1918-07-13
CHAPTER XII.
-11-
Jack Frost WithdraWs,

CHAPTER XII.
49,
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 Hazcl's nerves were
strained to the swapping point. Some.
times, when Bill was gone, and all
about the cabin was utterly still, one,
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 certitude. Nevertheless,
struggle against 1t as 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 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 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 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 1t was banked to
the caves with snow save where Bill
shoveled it away 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, snow!" Hazel burst out one
day. "Frost that cuts you like a
knife. wish we were home agaih-or
some place."
$50 do I, little person." Bill said
gently But springs almost at the
door. Hang on little longer. We've
made a rair stake, anyway, If we don't
wash an ounce of gold"
"How are we going to get 1t all out?'
She voiced troublesome thought.
shoulder pack to the Skeena," he
answered laconically. "Build dug0ut
there, ,and float downstream. Portage
the rapids as they come"
ooh, Billl',' She came and leaned
her head against him contritely. "Our
poor ponies! And it was all my care
lessness."
"Never mind, hon." he comfortcd.
"They blinked out without suffering.
And We'll make it like charm. Be
game-itll soon be spring."
BY April the twentieth the abdica
ton Of JACK Frost was complete. A
kindlier despOt ruled the land, and Bill
Wagstaff began to talk of gold.
:. that precious yellow metal sought
by men
In regions desolate.
PURSUED toi'i in patient hope or furious
Breeder Of discord. wars, and murder
GUS hate:
Inc v1ctor's spoil.
So Hazel quoted, leaning over her
husbands shoulder. In the bottom Of
his pan. shining among a film of black
sand, lay half dozen bright specks,
varying from pin-point size to the big |
ness Of grain Of wheat.
THAT'S the stuff" Bill murmured
ut looks as u we'd struck it pretty
fair. It's time, too-the June rise will |
hit us like whirlwind one of these
days."
"About what is the value Of those |
little pieces" Hazel asked.
"Oh. fifty or sixty CENTS" l." an
swered. mot much by Itself. Tut 1t |
seems to be uniform over the AR
and l Can wash good many r .s in
q days work."
IT should think So" she rem ked.
1T didn't AXE you ten minutes , do
that 0ns.