The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-10-28
CHAPTER ll-continued.


Darkness was settling down-dark-
ness of the seventh night since their
departure from Emerson-when. like
a mole on the face of the plain, a lit
tie gray lump grew on the horizon.
Arthurs rose in his sleigh and waved
his fur cap In the air; Harris sent
back an answering cheer. Slowly the
mole grew until in the gathering shad-
ows 1t took on indistinctly the shape
Of building, and just as the rising
moon crested the ridge of the Pembi-
ma hills the travellers swung up at the
door. Arthurs walked unerringly to
nail on the wall and took down Ian
tern; its dull flame drove the mist
slowly down the glass, and presently
the light was beating back from the
glistening frost which sparkled on ev-
cry log of the little room.
swell, here we are in Hungry Hail."
said Arthurs. Everything just as I
left it," Then, turning TO his wife,
"Come, Lii" he said. Jack, perhaps
you have an engagement of your own"
He took his wife in a passionate en-
brace and planted fervent kiss upon
her lips, while Harris followed his ex-
ample. Then they sat down on the
boxes that served for chairs. amid
happiness too deep for words.
So the minutes passed until Mrs. Ar
thurs sprang to her feet "Why,
Mary" she exclaimed, 81 do believe
you're crying" while the moisture
glistened on her own cheek. snow.
you men, clear out l suppose you
think the horses will stable them
selves? Yes, see you have the box
full of wood, Fred. That's not so bad
for start. Leave some matches, and
say, you might just get our boxes in
here. Remember we've lived in these
clothes for the best part Of two
weeks"
The young men sprang TO their task,
and as soon as they were out of the
house the girls threw their arms about
each other and wept like women to-
gether. 1t was only for a moment; a
quick dash of the hand across the
eyes, and both were busy removing
and their boxes" as we'll as other
equipment from the sleighs, were car
ried In, and the men disappeared to
the little stable at the back of the
house. After several attempts the
girls succeeded in starting a fire in the
rusted stove, and soon its grateful heat
was radiating to every corner Of the
room.
The house was built OF poplar logs,
hewed and dove-tailed at the corners
with the skill of the Ontario woods
man. II was about 12x16 feet in size,
with collar-beams eight feet from the
floor. The roof was Of two thick
nesses of elm boards, with tar paper
between. The floor was Of poplar
boards. The door was in the east
side, near the southeast corner; the
stove stood about the center Of the
east wall. The only window was in
the south; six panes OF Sx10 glass suf-
feed for light. Through this window
another lantern shone back from the
and the pickering light from
the stove danced i'm duplicate. A rough
board table sat under the window; a
box nailed In the southwest corner ev-
identity served as cupboard. No tools
or movables Of any value had been
left in the place, Arthurs having stored
such effects with a neighbor, some
dozen miles away, lest they be stolen
from the cabin by some inscriptions
traveller during his absence.
The days that followed were days
OF intense activity for both men and
women. There was much 10 do. i'm
side and out In the interior Of the
little house an extraordinary change
was wrought; simple draperies and
pictures relieved the baroness Of the
walls; shelves were built for the &C
commodation OF many trinkets dear TO
the feminine heart; rag carpet COW
appetizing dishes peeked enticingly
from behind the paper curtain that
now clothed the bare ribs OF the cup
board and a sense of LONELINESS per-
vaded the atmosphere.
A week had passed, and no sign of
life. other than that of the little party
itself. had been seen about the Ar
thurs homestead, when one day Har-
ris' eyes already becoming keen to the
prairie distances, espied dark point
on the horizon. 1t grew slowly from
point to n spot from spot to an
object, and at length was defined as
n man on horseback. Presently Aleck
McCrne drew up mt the door.
"Hello farmers" he cried, how
goes the battle? An the good wivesf