The Dolores star., 1918-12-06

bumped tall to the driving wind. stol-
idly enduring. She shuddered with
something besides the cold. And then
Bill spoke absently. his eyes still on
the smoldering heap.
"Ftve feet of caked snow on top OF
every blade Of grass" she heard him
mutter. They can't browse on trees,
like deer"
He had stuck his rifle butt first in
the snow. He walked over to 1t; Hazel
followed. When he stood, with the
rifle slung In the crook of his arm, she
tried again TO break through this silent
aloofness which cut her more deeply
than any harshness of speech could
have done.
"Bnl, I'm so sorry!" she pleaded.
Its terrible, I know. What can we
do?"
"Do? Huh!' he snorted. IF ever
have to die before my time. hope 1t
will be with full belly and my head
in the air-and mercifully swift"
Even then she had no clear Idea
OF his intention. She looked up at him
pleadingly. but he was staring at the
horses, his teeth biting neryously at
his under lip. Suddenly he blinked,
and she saw his eyes molsten. In the
same instant he threw up his rifle. At
the thin. vicious crack of 1t, Silk col
lapsed.
She understood then. With her hand
pressed hard over her mouth to keep
back the hysterical scream that threat
ened. she fled to the house. Behind
her the rifle spat forth Its staccato
message OF death. For a few seconds
the mountains flung whiplike echoes
back and forth in a volley. Then the
sibilant voice Of the wind alone broke
the stiffness.
Numbed with the cold. terrified at
the elemental ruthlessness OF 1t all, she
threw herself on the bed, denied even
the relief of tears. Dry-eyed and heavy.
hearted. she waited for her husbands
coming, and dreaded it-for the first
time she had seen her Bill look on her
with cold. critical anger. For an in
terminable time she lay listening for
the click of the latch, every nerve
strung tight.
He came at last. and the thump Of
his rifle as he stood 1t against the wall
had no more than sounded before he
was bending over her He sat down
on the edge Of the bed. and putting
his arm across her shoulders. turned
her gently so that she faced him.
"Never mind. little person." he wills.
pered. ITS done and over. I'm sorry
I slashed at you the way did. That's
fool mans way-if he's hurt and
sore he always has to jump on some
body else"
"D-don't. BIZ !" she cried forlornly.
81 know it's my fault I let the fire
almost go out, and then built 1t up
big without thinking. And I know
being sorry doesn't make any differ.
ence. But please don't want to be
! miserable over 1t. I'll never be care
less again"
"All right: won't talk about II,
hon." he said. 81 don't think you will
again. The North won't let US get
away with 1t. The wilderness Is big.
ger than we are. and It's merciless II
we make mistakes"
81 see that" She shuddered invol.
unfairly. Its grim country. II
frightens me-"
Don't let It." he said tenderly. $50
long as we have our health and
strength we can win out, and be
stronger for the experience"
''How can you prospect In the spring
without horses to pack the OUTFIT" she
asked after little. "How can we get
out of here with all the stun well
have?"
"we'N manage It," he assured light.
". "we'll get out with our furs and
gold. all right. and we won't go hum
gry on the way. even II we have no
pack train. Leave 1t to me-"