The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1918-03-29
CHAPTER XII.
lack Frost WithdraWs.


All through the month of January
each evening, as dusk folded its SOM
ber mantle about the meadow, the
wolves gathered to feast on the dead
horses. till HazePs 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 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 II as she might, know
Ing 1t 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 1t 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
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 n corresponding reaction. They
who have the capacity to reach the
heights must likewise, upon occasion
plumb the depths. Life, she began tC
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 n patti
furiously across the calendar. Higher
and higher the drifts piled about tn,
cabin, till at length Ii was banked L
the caves with snow save where Bill
shoveled 1t away to let light to tn,
windows. Day after day they KEEP
Indoors, stoking up the fire. listenin!
to the triumphant whoop of the winds
"Snow, y" Hazel burst out on,
day. "Frost that cuts you like i,
knife. / wish we were home again-o
some place."
$50 do /, little person." Bill sait
gently. "But springs almost at tn,
door. Hang on a little longer. View,
made fair stake, anyway, If we dom
wash an ounce Of gold"
"How are we going to get It all out !?
She voiced troublesome thought.
shoulder pack to the Skeena," H.
answered laconically. "Build dugou
there, and float downstream. Portag
the rapids as they come"
"Oh, Billw She came and leane,
her head against him contritely. "Ou
poor ponies! And 1t was all my care
lessness."
"Never mind, hon." he comforted
"They blinked out without suffering
And Wen make 1t like charm. b
game-it'll soon be spring."
BY April the twentieth the abdica
tion Of Jack Frost was complete. 4
kindlier despot ruled the land. and Bill
Wagstaff began to talk Of gold.
.
that precious yellow metal sough
by men
In regions desolate.
Pursued in patient hope or furiou
Breeder Of discord. wars. and murder
Gus hate;
The victor's spoil.
So Hazel quoted. leaning over hel
husbands shoulder. In the bottom o.
his pan, shining among a Aim of blacl
sand. lay half q dozen bright specks