Williams news., 1921-09-09

disasters, only the result rema ine0
 The result in this case was that heI
 snowshoe, without which she could not
 walk at all in the snow. was irrepara-
 bly, broken.
 Fate has stacked the cards against
 uS," Lennox told them, after the first moments horror from the broken snOwshoe.
 But no one answered him. The girl, white-faced. kept her wide eyes on Dan. He seemed to be peering into the shadows beside the trail. as if he were watching for the gray forms that now and then glided from tree to tree. In reality, he was not looking for wolves measuring his own spirit for the trial that lay before him.
 The girl. unable to step with the one foot and hobbled like bird with broken wings across to him. No sight of all this terrible journey had been more dreadful in her fathtar'S eyes than this. It seemed to split open the strong heart of the man. She touched her hand to his arm.
 'T'm sorry. Dan." she told him. "Yoe tried so hard"
 Just one little sound broke from his thrOat-a strange, deep gasp that could not be suppressed. Then he caught her hand in his and kissed it- again and again. Do you think care about that?" he asked her. "I only wish I could have done more-aml what have done doesn't count. Just as in my fight with Cranston. nothing counts because I didn't win. It's just fate, Snowbird. It's no ones fault, but maybe. in this world, nothing is ever anyone'S fault" For in the twilight of those winter woods. in the shadow of death itself, perhaps he was catching of eternal truths that are hidden from all but the most far-See- ing eyes.
 And this is the end?" she asked him. She spoke very bravely.
 ''No!" His hand frightened on hers. ''No. so long as an ounce of strength To fight-never to give up may God give me spirit for it till I die.''
 And this was no idle prayer. His eyes raised to the starry sky as he spoke.
 But. son." Lennox asked him rath- er quietly, what can you do? The wolves aren't going to wait great 1eal longer, and we can't go on.'
 ''There's one thing more-one more rial to make" Dan answered. "I thought about it at first. but it was too ong chance to try if there was any other way. And I suppose you thought ,f it too'
 "OvertakIng Cranston?''
 "Of course. And it sounds like a .razy dream. But listen. both of you. If we have got to die, up here in the 1t looks like we had-what $ the thing you want done worst be- ore we go?''
 LennoXs hands clasped. and' he eaned forward on the sled. "Pay 5ranston :" he said. |
 .'Yes,' Dams voice rang "CranS- | on's never going to be paid unless we To it. There will be no signs of in | at the house. and no | roofs. They'll find our bodies in the HOW, and we'll just be mystery. rith no one made to pay. The evi- ence in my pocket will be taken by ;ranstOn. some time this winter. If l ont make him pay, he never will pay. md that's one reason why I'm going Q try to carry out this plan I've got.
 'The second reason is that it's the ne hope we have left I take it that one of us are deceived on that point. md no man can die tamely-if he is man-while there's a chance. I mean young man. like me-not one who is Id and tired. It sounds perfectly silly ) talk about finding Cranston's win ar quarters. and then, with my bare andS, cOnquering him, taking his food nd his blankets and his SnOwShOes nd his rifle. to fight away these -olves. and bringing 'em back here " You wouldn't be barehanded.'' the irl reminded him. You could have le pistol."
 He didn't even seem to hear her. I've been thinking about it. It's a 'ng, long chance-much worse than le chance we had of getting out by raight walking. l think we could ave made it. If the wolves had kept
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