The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-06-16

Il ONn ntuul nv ntutu Hu VIu oOul0
which rolled out OF nothlngness and
subsidized again. II II was a sound, all
right, but II II was In his head7 He
hurried. or thought he hurried. back
to the hut. In reality he did not quick
en- his pace. He felt an immense re-
lief when he sat down beside his
charge. II he should go groggy what
would Jim doi Never for moment
did the thought cross his mind that his
efforts would fail. II only the meal
held out That would give Jim
strength. Perhaps he should himself
eat few OF the beans-just to keep
his own strength up that he might not
go groggy. The idea took hold of him.
Then he put 1t from him. They should
be kept for Jim when the meal gave
out.
He would try looking for the tu-kol
berries again when II grew cooler. Yet
the thought recurred again and again
throughout the afternoon. beating with
sort OF rhythm against his conscious
ness. For Jim's sake as well as his
own he should keep up his strength.
He crouched low and tried to hold
on with his hands as II the earth would
cast him Off. He was very tired and
crept back to the hut again. II took
deal OF time to find 1t In the night.
Jlm's face was cool when he felt OF II
and thrill Of terror shook through
him.
All the hours of the night he sat
waiting with hushed breath for day
that he might read the truth. There
were strange times when he thought
he slept and woke. At last he opened
his eyes. The sun was up and Jim
was looking at him with inquiring
eyes
lie smiled and held out his hand.
He rose to his feet, but the hut
rose, too.
This time Jim was trying to speak
with his eyes. II was water he want
ed, OF course. He felt around for the
can and presently crept out and found
he was quite WELL Today II was hard
er to put away the beans when he
made Jlm's Cruel, and he ate a few.
II was wonderful how quickly he felt
better.
Another day Of tanning with the
big leaf, broken by snatches OF sleep
and occasional trips to the spring. and
by night Jim was talking a bit. only
he couldn't remember all he said.
Something about his being brick.
Jim always was quick to take too
much account OF little thing. But
how horribly the meal was lessening.
Il.I Aa ahnttlA
not be enough now that Jim's appetite
was returning?
There were the beans, and surely
some help would come. now that the
worst was over. This was going to
; be hot day and he had forgotten to
get fresh supply Of the dried leaves
{ He looked across his shoulder at the
: diminished pile. Jim saw him pitch
forward and the fan fell beside him.
: Jim tried to think II all over calmly.
He was too weak to do more than
move. He realized that he had been
0 unconscious, but how long he would
$ never know.
a Outside the hut II was still sunlight
0 red, warm light, the brilliant hushed
$ glow OF sunset In the ragged lands
$ but inside II was already twilight. He
j turned on his side and took inventory
a OF everything In sight. The two packs.
Q the small case of medicine. the can
i nearly full OF water Che was thankful,
that the man lying on his face beside
n him had taken that last staggering
I trip to the spring.. the few wide leaves,
I and the rag containing the beans. The
). handful Of meal was hidden In the
s pack.
s During the long night Jim thought
and calculated. Once the other talked
a babblingly and moved, and Jlm's heart
1. jumped with weakness and fear-a hor
n rible fear. He strained his eyes In the
q darkness to see II he had rolled neal
d the can with the water In It. Aftei
that he thought Of nothing but that
h can.
n The day broke and found him still
!. out OF reach Of the can. At sunrise
v loon swept over the hut, sailing
" swiftly down to the holes. and II:
e- laughter filed the desolate wastes.
d II frightened the crawling man ant
W he made a stronger effort.
m
ID At the end Of another day the part,
straying from the trail came to thu
n little rise above the spring. lie Marqu'
ID stood STOPPING his great height at thu
e. opening of the hut.
Ie "Mere de Dieu." he said. wonder
= ipgly.
" His bearded face expressed pity. Fl,
lie knew these tragedies Of the desolat
IN lands. where the fever strikes a maj
te and death stands grinning from tn
rs empty void, waiting for the lingering
h. surrender.
W He dropped softly to his knees ant
,s turned over to the light him who Ia
g on his face. There was still warmtl
N under the ragged strips on his breas
Is end the lips were cracked.