The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-01-24

the fever, and is calling for you all the
time"
81 must go to him at once," qua
vered Marta.
sect your traps" spoke Dale. "T've
got my s. and the four dogs and
we can YOU there in jiffy, if
| 1t isn't to- n"
''It is half way between the settle
ment and here" said Marta. "It is
out of your way. I have tramped it
before"
"You won't this time. declared Dale
stanchly. "Poor little snowbird!" he
added sorrowfully. my heart feels
for you"
He placed Marta as carefully among
the sleigh robes as Though she were
some grand lady. 1t took five hours
to reach Danhy's. In double hut be-
longing to an old, decrepit Indian they
found the old man. dying indeed. The
Indian had partitioned off one corner
of the dreary, shedlike structure with
skins, kept smoky oil lamp going for
heat and was dispensing to his doomed
patient a decoction of herbs
"Unl-good medicine.'' he told the
newcomers, 'bnt him not live Fire
water poison him thilrlss" and he SOL
emnly tapped his head
Lew Kinyon was nenring the col
lapse of the faculties he had weakened
with liquor. He recognized his STEP
| n ohf 1,Y,f nsns
mental agony superseding his physical
pain and commissions All his thoughts
seemed to be on the life he had vast.
ed. Some wild idea had filed his mind
that if he could get tosa church and
at it's holy altar pray. that his sins
might he forgiven and ,he could pass
away peacefully amid the holy calm
of the sacred place.
"He will not live" Dale told Marta
who tried to do all she could for the
sufferer in busy ministrdtions. 81 shall
not leave you."
Her wistful, longing eyes SILENT,
thanked him. Her srspfather never
ceased amid his shrielsihg delirium Il
cry out for forgiveness for his wasted
life. The altar of mereF alone should
save his soul! He pictured out men
tally church scene iI1 the far past
where he had made new resolutions a
the altar. alas! only to break them
The anguish of remorse was consum
ing him.
IT have something to do," spok,
Dale, after rityingi.y watching the SUI
ferer for some time He beckoned t,
the Indian. and. leaving Marta alon,
at the side of her ste2father, went pas
the hanging skins intof the cherries
untenanted portion OF the big hut. Dali
searched among his traps. It was t.
bring to light case of his old clay
modelling tools He ba1 always KEEP
them with rim. He paid the Indial
some money. who assisted him IL
bringing into the hut from the outsid
half hundred baskets full of snow
Then, on this mere fringe of civiliza
tion the artist piled his calling for
strange purpose.
At length he had the snow altar com
pleted, perfect replica Of one he ha,
seen in marble. even to the two ange
sentinels at its side. and skilled worl
showed the perfection of genius. H
placed half q score of thick candle
provided by the Indian about the alta
and lighted them.
They lifted Lew Kinyon on his rud
couch past the skin curtains and Il
front of the altar. In moment tn
wild rawlings ceased. Across the wor
face there stole smile of ineffabl
relief.
His fevered hand rested reposefull
in that of Marta, and, babbling Q
green fields and the happy past, h
passed away in peace.
"Will you come with me-frient
sister," asked Rigby Dale gently tn
next day, after they had buried he
stepfather. "It is many miles, ther
are dangers, perils. but we must reac
another world than this"
Marta broke down utterly. She san
to a snow hummock, and he beside he
held her in his arms, soothing her, p:
i, tient, pitying. until she had cried OF
8 her grief. Then, strong, reliant, 4
became a daughter of the far Nortl
she placed both hands confidingly
his own.
!. He led her along the slant to wher
!, the dogs and sledge were waiting. II
gether they went down the steep II
cline, hand in hand-went down
face the thousand miles Of wilderness
comrades true as steel, one to tt
other, went down to fight the batt
> of the ice trail together, hopeful, tru
children of the heart.
: One month later, at the final vcre
:. Of civilization, man and wife, mad
str".:g through an abiding love, thos
two faced n new world, unafraid of Il
u cares and ups and downs, while the
were together to battle the same.