Charlevoix county herald., 1921-01-21
CHAPTER II.

Two miles across the ridges, Dan
and SnOwbird saw faint mist blow
ing between the trees. They didn't
recognize ii at first. 1t might be fine
snow, blown by the wind, or even one
of those mysterious fogs that some
times sweep over the snow.
But 1t looks like smoke" Snowbird
said
"But 1t couldn't be. The trees are
too wet TO burn"
But then sound that, at first was
just the faintest whisper in which
neither of them would let themselves
believe, became distinct past all deny
ing. II was that menacing crackle of
a great fire, that In the whole world Of
sounds is perhaps the most terrible.
"It's ourNhouse," Snowbird told him.
"And father can't get out"
She spoke very quietly. Perhaps
the most terrible truths of life are al
ways spoken In that same quiet voice.
Then both Of them started across the
snow as fast as their unwieldy snow
shoes would permit
iic Nun CIuWi a Ddu
to her. Don't give up. Snowbird
mine. think he'll be safe"
They mounted to the top Of the
ridge; and the long sweep of the for
est was revealed to them. The house
was a singular tall pillar Of flame. al
ready glowing that dreadful red from
which firemen, despairing, turn away.
Then the girl seized his hands and
danced about him in a mad circle.
Hes alive!" she cried. You can
see him-just dot on the snow. He
crawled out to safety"
She turned and sped at breakneck
pace down the ridge. Dan had to race
to keep up with her. But 1t wasn't en-
tirely wise to try to mush so fast A
dead log lay beneath the snow with q
broken limb stretched almost to Its
surface, and it caught her snowshoe.
The wood cracked sharply, and she fell
forward in the snow. But she wasn't
hurt. and the snowshoe itself, in spite
of small crack In the wood, was still
serviceable.
"Haste makes waste" he told her.
keep your feet on the ground. Snow
bird; the house is gone already and
your father is safe. Remember what
lies before u.s."
The thought sobered and halted her.
She glanced once at the dark face Of
her companion. Dan couldn't under
stand the strange light that suddenly
leaped to her eyes. Perhaps she her.
self couldn't have explained the wave
of tenderness that swept over her
with no cause except the look In Dams
earnest gray eyes and the lines that
cut so deep. Since the world was new,
II has been the boast of the boldest Of
men that they looked their Fate in the
face. And this is no, mean looking. For
fate Is a sword from the darkness, a
power that reaches out of the mystery,
and cannot be classed with sights Of
human origin. II burns out the eyes
of all but the strongest men. Yet Dan
was looking at his fate now. and his
eyes held straight.
They walked together down TO the
ruined house, and the three of them
sat silent while the fire burned red.
Then Lennox turned to them with a
half-smile.
You're wasting time you two," he
said. Remember, all our food Is gone.
If you start now, and walk hard. may
be you can make II out"
There are several things to do
first" Dan answered simply.
81 don't know what they are. II isn't
going to be any picnic. Dan. A man
can travel only so far without food to
keep up his strength. particularly over
such ridges as you have to cross. II
will be easy to give up and die. It's
the test. man; It's the test"
"And what about your" his daugh-
ter asked.
'Oh, I'll be all right Besides-it's