The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-01-06
CHAPTER lI-continued.


Darkness was settling down-dark-
ness of the seventh night since their
departure from Emerson-when. like
mole on the face of the plain, lit
tie gray lump grew on the horizon
Arthurs rose IN his sleigh and waved
his FUR cap ia 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 a
nail on the wall and took down a Ian
tern; its dull fame drove the mist
slowly down the glass, and presently
the light was beating back from rhe
glisfeniRg frost which sparkled on ev-
cry log of the little room.
Wei, 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 passionate en-
brace and planted a feryent kiss upon
her lips. while Harris followed his ex-
ample. Then they SAT down on the
boxes that served for chairs. amid a
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
giistened on her own cheek. "Now,
You men. clear out I suppose you
think the horses Will stable them
selVesS Yes, I see you have the box
fufi of wood, Fred. That's not so bad
Tor 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. It was only for a moment;
quick dash of the hand across the
eyes. and both were busy removing
coats and wraps The door opened
and their boxes" as we'll as other
equipment from the sIeighs. 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 i'm the
rlsted stove. and soon It's grateful heat
was radfating 10 every corner of the
room.
The house was built of poplar logs.
hewed and devastated at the corners
with -<he skill of the Ontario woods
7 :
with coIlar-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
darkness. and the pickering light from
4iae stove danced in duplicate a rough
board table sat under the window; a
box nailed in the southwest corner ev-
identity served as cupboard. No tools
Or ulovables 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
grom tile 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 to do, In
side and out In the Interior of the
little house an extraordinary change
WAS wrought: simple draperies and
pictures relieved the baroness of the
wallis: shelves were built for the ac-
S.ornmodation Of many trinkets dear to
she feminine heart; a rag carpet COW
cred the center of the floor; plain but
appefizing dishes peeked enticingly
fEen behind the paper curtain that
now clothed the bare ribs of the cup
board !; and q sense OF LONELINESS per-
uaded the atmosphere
A week had passed. and no sign OF
ssfe. other than that of the little party
zsself. had been seen about the Ar
tasurs' homestead when one day Har-
rs eyes already becoming keen to the
rzaE<fe distances, espied dark point
"a the horizon. L grew slowly from
= point TO spot from spot TO an
ssbjecf, and at length was defined as
a nan on horseback. Presently Aleck
15cCrae drew up at the door.
E1ello farmers he cried, "how
goes the eaftles An, the good wives?
RaIld!ns little Eden In this wilder.
ness. II. warrslsat Tell them to put
zsaosfer aaIne IN fhe pot. an hungry
ssarae II that haven't seen a white
s.R6rsaf,s meal ! don know when
The friends gathered about tile old