The Bossier banner., 1921-07-07

can't walk. and you can't carry me ON
your backs. What else remains7 I'll
stay hereand m scrape together
enough wood to keep Z DIRE. Then ron
can bring help"
He kept his eyes averted when he
talked. He was afraid for Dan to see
them. knowing TINT he could read the
lie In them.
How do you expect to find wood
In this snow7" Dan asked him. I'll will
take four days to get out: do you
think You could lie here and battle
with fire for four days, and then four
days more that II will take to cone
back7 You'd have two choices: to
burn green wood that I'd cut for you
before left, or the rain-soaked dead
wood under the snow. You couldn't
keep.either one Of them burning. and
you'd die 10 a night. Besides this Is
no time for an unarmed man to be
alone In the hills"
f Lennox's voice grew pleading. BE
sensible. Dan r. he cried. THAT
Cranston's got us. and got us right.
I've only one thing more care about
land that is that you pay the debt! I
can't hope to get out myself. say
that can't even hope to. But II you
bring my daughter through-and when
spring comes. pay what we owe to
Cfanston-I'll be content Heavens,
son-I've lived my life. The old pack
leader dies wheu his time comes. and
so Goes a man."
His daughter crept to him and shell
tered his gray head against her
breast. .I'll stay with you, then" she
cried
"Don't be little fool. Snowbird."
he urged. NY clothes are wet al
ready from the melted snow. It's too
long q way-it will be too hard a fight.
and childrenI'm old and tired out.
don't want to make the try-hungef
and cold and even if.you'd stay here
and grub wood. Snowbird. they'd find
us both dead when they came back III
a week. We can't live without food,
and work and keep warm -and there
isn't q living creature ID the hills"
Except the wolves" Dan reminded
him.
Except the wolves" Lennox
echoed Remember. we're unarmed
and they'd end It out. You're young.
Snowbird. and 80 is Dan and you5
two will be happy. know how things
are. you two-lnore than you know
yourselves and In the end you'll be
happy. But meTm too tired to
make the try. don't care about It
enough. I'm going to wave you gond-
BY. and smile. and lie here and let the
cold come down. You feel warm IN 4
little while"
But she stopped his lips with her
hand And he hent and kissed It.
IF anybody's going to stay with
you." Dan told them In d clear, firm
voice. .it's gong TO be me. But aren't
any Of the cabins occupied Z" s
You know they aren't = Lennox an
swered. Not even the houses beyond
the North Fork, even Il We could set
across. The nearest help u over sev-
enty miles.
And Snowhirti. think Haven't any
supplies been left 10 the RINGER sta
ton ?'
Not one thing" the girl told him.
''Yon know cranston ana bis crowd
robbed the place last winter. And the
telephone lines we're disconnected
when the rangers left. =
sThen the only way Is for me 70
stay here You can take the pistol.
and yoall have fair chance Of. get
ting through. I'Il grub wood for onr
camp meanwhile. and you can bring
help
And II the wolves come, or II help
didn't come In time. Lennox whis-
pered. passion-drawn for the first
time, .who would pay what wesowe 70
Cransfon p
"But her life counts first OF ail.'ss
II know 1t does-buf mine doesn't
count at ALL Believe me, you two.
I'm speaking from my own desires
when / say don't want to make the
fight. Snowhird would never make It
through nione. There are the wolves.
and maybe Cranston too--the worst
wolf Of alt A woman can't mush
across those ridges four DAYS without
food. without some one who loves her
and forces her on! Neither can al1e
stay here with me and try 70 make
green branches burn IN fire. She's
got three little pistol balls and we'd
all die for a whim. oh, please.
please
But Dam leaped for bis hand with
glowing eyes. Listen, man I. he cried.
r know another way ret. know!
more than-on Why; hut one. II we've
got the strength. Is almost sure. There
Is an AZ in the kitchen. and the blade
VIII still be good.
Likely dulled with the Are. Z
'I'll cut limb with my jackknifs
for the handle. There will be nails
IN the ashes. plenty of them. Wen
make rude sledge. and wen GET You
o,,H xS,Sxs