The state herald., 1920-12-31


then he opened his mouth In a high.
far-c6rrying squeai Of utter. abject
terror.
He sprang full fifteen feet back
Into the thickets; then crouched The
hair stood still ut his shoulders, his
claws were barred: he was prepared
to fight to the death. He didn't under
stand. He only knew the worst single
terror of his life. 1t was not doe
that he had attacked In the darkness.
II was not Urson the porcupinc. or
even Woof. 1t was that imperial mas
ter of all things. man himself. I'm
Knowing, he had attacked Landy Hill
dreth, lying wounded from Cranston's
bullet beside the trail. Word of the
arson ring would never reach the set
Elements. after all.
And MS for WhIsperfoot-the terror
that choked his heart with blood be-
gan to wear Off In n little while. The
man lay so still in the thickets. Be-
sides. there was a strange. wild smell
in the mir. Whisperfoot's stroke had
gone home so true there had not even
been fight. The darkness began to
lift around him, and strange eXulta-
tion. rapture unknown before In all
his hunting, began to creep into his
wild blood. Then, as shadow steals,
he went creeping back to his dead.
.
Dan Failing had been studying ma
ture on the high ridges; and he went
home by back trail that led to old
Bald mountain. The trail was Just
Il narrow serpent in the brush; and
It had not been made by gangs of
laborcrs. working with shovcls and
picks. Possibly half dozen white
men, in all. had ever walked along 1t.
II was just the path of the wild crea-
lures. worn down by hSof and paw
and cushion since the young days of
the world.
II was roundabout trail home,
but yet 1t had Its advantages. 1t took
him within two miles of Snowbird's
lookout station, and nt this hour OF
day he had been particularly fortunate
In finding her at certain spring on
the mountain side. 1t was rather sin.
gular coincidence. Along about four
he would usually find himself wander
Ing up that way. Strangely enough.
nt the same time, 1t was true thai
she had an irresistible impulse to 20
down and sit In the green ferns beside
the same spring. They always seemed
TO he surprised TO see one another. In
reality, either of them would have
been considerably more surprised had
the other failed TO put In nm appear,
nncc. And always they had long talks
us the afternoon drew to twilight.
''But don't think you ought to wait
so late before starting home" the Cir
would always. say. you're moi
human hawk. and 1t is easier to
lost than you think"
And this solicitude. Dan rightly ng
ured. was good sign. There was
only one objection to It. 1t resulted
In IN unmIstnkble Inference that she
considered him unable to take car.
Of hlmself-nnd shat was the last
thing on earth that he wanted her
to think. He understood her well
enough ~ know .hnt her standard.
were the standards. Of the mountains.
raluing strength and self-relIance
above all things. He didn't stop TO
question why. every day. he troll &C
many weary miles to be with her.
She was as natural as fawn; ant!
many times she had quite taken away
his breath. And once she did II liter.
ally. He didn't think that so long M
death spared him he would ever he
able to forget that experience. It wns
her birthday. and knowing Of II Ia
time he had arranged for the delivery
OF certain package. dear 10 a girllsh
heart. at her fathers house. In the
trysting hour he had come trudgins
over the hills with II. and few expert
ences In his life had ever yielded such
unmitigated pleasure ~ the sight ot