Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-12-21


to be crouchins, waiting to take q
man at disadvantage; and like the
gods that first make mad those whom
they would destroy. It doesn't quite
play fair. He understood now certain
wilderness tragedies Of which he had
heard; how tenderfeet-lost among
the ridges-had broken into q Wild
run that had ended nowhere except
In exhaustion and death.
Bruce himself felt wild desire to
lash his horse into Va gallop, but he
forced It back with all his powers OF
will. His calmer, saner self explained
that folly with entire clearness. II.
would mean panic for the horse, and
then q quick and certain death, either
at the foot Of precipice or from
blow from low-hanging limb. The
horse seemed to be feeling its way,
rather than seeing.
They were strange, lonely figures
in the darkness; and for a long time
they rode almost In silence. Then
Bruce felt the girls breath as she
whispered.
..Bruce," she said. Lets be brave.
and look this matter in the face. Do
you think we've got CHANGER ;.
He rode a long time before he. an
swered. He CROPPED desperately for. q
word that might bring her cheer, but
1t was hard to find. The cold seemed
to deepen about them. the remorseless
snow beat into his face.
+ ..Linda," he replied, fit is one Of
the mercies Of this world for men al
ways to think that they've got a
chance. Maybe it's only cruelty in
our case.", u.
Il think I ought to tell iyou some
thing else ! haven't the least way
Of knowing whether we are on the
right trail"
~"I knew that long, ago. Whether
we are on any trail at ALL" =
1--WE just been thinking. I don't
know how many forks it has. We
might have already got on wrong
one. Perhaps the horse L. turned
about and Is heading back home-to-
ward Simon's stables"
She spoke DULY, and he thrust his
arm back to her. LINDA, try to be
brave" he urged. I'VE can only take
chance" n,
The horse plodded q few more
steps. Brave! To think that 1t L.
you that has to encourage me-in
stead of my trying to keep up your
spirits. Il will try to ba brave, Bruce.
And, Il we don't tive through the
night my last remembrance viii be
Of Jour bravery-how you, injured
and weak from loss Of blood, still re-
membered to give q CHEEKY word. to
me-"
TIN not badly injured" he told
her gently. "And there are certain
things that have come clear to me
lately. One Of them Is that except
tor YOU throwing your own precious
body between-I wouldn't be here at
all" A :st.-.s
The feeling that they had. lost the
trail grew upon them. Once they
halted to adjust the. blankets on the
saddle, and they listened for any
sounds that might indicate that Simon
was overtaking them. But all they
heard was the soft rustic Of the leaves
under the wind.blown snow.
Linda" he asked suddenly. docs
it seem to you to be awfully cold7''
She waited q long time before she
spoke. This was not the hour. to
make quick answers. On any decision
might rest their success or failure.
: II believe can stand TIA while
longer" she answered at last.
"But don't think we'd better try
to- It's getting cold. Every hour it's
colder, and seem to be getting weak
er. It isn't a real wound, Linda-but
1t seems to have, knocked some Of my
vitality out Of ME, and I'm dreadfully
In need Of rest. / think we'd better
try to make q camp" ,,,.5 -.
"And go on by morning lghtT !.
YES"
':But Simon might overtake d.
/ then" i. ar
I'VE must, stay out Of sight Of the
trail. But somehow can't help but
hope he won't try to follow % on
such a night as this.n
He drew up the horse, and they Sal
In the beat Of the snow. Don't make
: any mistake about that, Bruce" she
! told him. Remember, that unless be
0vertakes us before we come into thu
!; protection, Of the eourts his whole