The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-03-25

pcu nunuS. InVuEu tney ma never
met, each had heard Of the other. and
the recognition was mutual. A sweep.
ing introduction ind a mug of punch
were forced upon him before he could
explain bis errand.
How long since that basket sled
with three men and eight dogs PASS
edy' he asked.
IAN even two days ahead. Are you
after themw
"Yes; my team. Run them OF Under
my very nose, the cusses. I've gained
two days on them already-1pick them
up on the next run"
Reckon they'll show spunk?' asked
Belden in order to keep up tie CONVEX
sation, for Malemute Kid already had
the coffeepot on and was busily frying
bacon and moose meat.
The stranger significantly tapped his
revolvers.
"When'd yeh leave Dawson?''
"Twelve o'clock"
LAST night?" as a matter Of course.
To-day" .
A murmur of surprise passed round
the circle. And well 1t might, for II
was just midnight, and seventy-five
miles of rough river trail was not to
be sneered at for twelve hours run.
The talk soon became impersonal,
however, barking back to the trails of
childhood. AS the young stranger ate
Of the rude fare Malemute Kid atten-
lively studied bis face. Nor was he
long in deciding that it was fair, hon.
est and open and that he liked it. Still
youthful, the lines had been firmly
traced by toll and hardship. Though
genial in conversation and mild when
at rest, the blue eyes gave promise Of
the hard steel glitter which comes
when called into action, especially
against odds. The heavy jaw and
square cut chin demonstrated rugged
pertinacity and indomitability. Nor,
though the attributes of the lion were
there, was there wanting the certain
softness, the hint of womanliness,
which bespoke the emotional nature.
e $50 thet's how me an the OF woman
got spliced," said Belden, concluding
the exciting tale of his courtship.
F." Here we be, dad SEE she. AN may
yeh be d. SEE he to her, an then to
me: Jim, yeh-yeh git outen them good
duds O yourn. l want a right peart
slice O tibet forty acre plowed fore
dinner An then he turns on her an
SEE, AN yeh, Sa-yeh sail inter them
Dishes An then he sort O. SMILED
an kissed her. An was tibet happy
but he seen me an Foars out, 'Yeh,
;Jimv An yeh bet l busted fer the
barn."
ANY kids waiting for you back in
the States?" asked the stranger.
"Nope. Sal died fore any come.
Thet's why I'm here" Belden alb
began to light his pipe,
which had failed to go out, and then
up with, How bout yer
self, stranger-married man?'
For reply he opened his watch, slip
ped it from the thong which served
for chain and passed it over. Belden
pricked up the slush lamp, surveyed
the inside of the case critically and.
swearing admiringly to himself, hand
ed 1t over to Louis Savoy. With nu-
merous "By garsr' he finally surren-
dered it to Prince, and they noticed
that his hands trembled and his eyes
took on peculiar softness. And so
It passed from horny hand to horny
land-the pasted photograph Of a wo-
nan, the clinging kind that such men
'ancy, with babe at the breast. Those
who had not yet seen the wonder were
Keen with curiosity; those who had be-
zane silent and retrospective. They
,ould face the pinch of famine, the
"Trip Of scurvy or the quick death by
ield or flood, but the pictured SEM
dance of stranger woman and child
made women and children of them all.
"Never have seen the youngster vet.
Hes boy, she says, and two years
3D." said the stranger as he received
he treasure back. A lingering mo-
nent he gazed upon it, then snapped
he case and turned away, but not
Luick enough to hide the restrained
ush Of tears.
Malemutef Kid led him to a bunk
nd babe him turn in.
"Can me at 4, sharp. Don't fail me-"
we're his last words, and a moment
ater he vas breathing in the heavi-
ess of exhausted sleep.
by Jove, he's plucky chapw COM
rented Prince. "Three hours sleep +
fter seventy-five miles with the dogs,
nd then the trail again! Who is he,
.id?"
"Jack Westondale. Been in going on
Tree years, with nothing but the name
working like horse, and any /
mount Of bad luck to his credit.
ever knew him, but Sitka Charley :
I'D me about him.
1T seems hard that a man with a
veet young wife like his should be
ltting in his years in this God for
ken hole, where every year counts ,
70 on the outside"
"The trouble with him is clean grit
III cfrhh0rnnocc Hat, o1oornd nm | I