Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1919-07-10
CHAPTER Ix-contjnued.

However. I hoped that the night
would restore my sight. and so, dis
missing the matter from my mind,
struggled up until ut last stood upon
the summit Of the hill. Far away. like
thin, winding ribbon among the hills,
saw the valley Of the Riviere dor
Beneath me I saw Jacqueline wait
ing, tiny figure upon the snow.
east my eyes beyond her toward the
nist-wrapped tops of the far Lauren
tians and the plains.
And sense Of an inevitable fate
came over me as perceived far away
tiny. crawling ant upon the shows
Simon Leroux's dog sleigh.
went back to the little. patient fig
ure that was waiting for me, and
took up my pack again and told her
nothing. She stepped bravely out be-
side me, frozen, fatigued, hut willing
because I bade her. She did not ask
anything Of me.
The sun dipped lower, and far away
again.
gripped my pistols as we strobe
along.
We went on and on. The afternoon
was wearing away the sun was very
= NV now and all-its strength had gone.
Courage, Jacqueline," said, patting
her arm. '"The huts ought to be here"
Her courage was greater than my
swn. She looked up and smiled at me.
The wolf crept nearer, and its howls
Iang out with piercing stroke across
the silence. My eyes ached so that I
could hardly discern the darkening
land, and the snow came down. not
steadily but in swirling eddies blown
an fierce gusts Of wind.
And suddenly raising my eyes de-
sparingly saw the huts. There were
Eve of them, and they had not been oc-
supied Tor at least two seasons. for the
1lackened timbers were falling apart,
and the roofs had been torn of all but
enc of them, no doubt for fuel. The
wind was whirling the snow wildly
around them. and 1t whistled through
the broken. rotting walls.
I flung my pack inside the rooted
bers Of another to make fire.
Jacqueline, opening the pack, began
the preparation Of our meal, which
consisted Of some biscuits left from
the night before. when we had made
q quantity on the wood ashes. We
made tea over the roaring flames, and
mt listening to the VOLTS call and the
Wind that drove our fire in gusts of
moke and flame.
scooped out bed for Jacqueline
inside the snow-fIled hut and spread
Il with the big sleigh robe. She lay
down In her fur coat, and I wrapped
the ends around her. Hooked into her
sweet face and marveled at its seren-
ity. Her eyes closed wearily.
A dreadfun fear held me in Its grip:
what II she never awoke7 Some people
died thus IN the snow. I raised the
sleigh robe and saw that the fur coat
stirred softly as she breathed.
At last, out Of the wild passions that
fought within me. decision was born.
1would 20 on, because she had hidden
me. And I would be ready for Le-
rOux and let him act as he saw fit.
.saded ny pistols. could do no more
than fight for Jacqueline. and with God
be the issue.
.Paul!"
] must have been half asleep. for
came back to myself with a start and
sprnng to my feet. Jacqueline had
Iisen upon her knees; she flung her
arms out wildly. and suddenly she
caught her breath and screamed. and
stood up and ran uncertainty toward
ne, with hands that groped for me.
She found me; caught her, and she
pushed me from her and shuddered
and stared at me in that uncertain
doubt that follows dreams.
II am here. Jacqueline." said.
with yOu-always. till you send me
away. Remember that even In dreams.
Jacqueline."
She knew me now, and she was re-
esilinG from me. out through the hut