New Britain herald., 1922-01-11
THE SNOWSHOE TRAIL
EDISON MARSHALL
Qltte Brown and N, E. A, servoe)
EDISON MARSHALL

icy, winter stars we're peering through
the cabin window,
shivering. she slipped quickly into
her clothes, Then she lighted n can
die and put on her snowshoes. She
mushed across the little space OF snow
to the mems cabin,
She knocked on Harold's door.
Who's there" n sleepy voice an
swered.
ITS Virginia. I'm up and
dressed. Did Bill come back ?"
! bill? No-and what on earth are
you up this early for? Forget about
! BIZ and go back to bed"
Listen, Harold" she pleaded.
Don't tell me to go back to bed, ]
feel know something's happened to
him. And-and-I want you to 20
out and look for him"
Harold had no desire to rescue Bill,
Besides, he was angry aud bitterly
jealous at her concern for him,
You do, eh--you'd like to send me
out on a bitter night like this on a
fools errand such as that. Where Is
there a cabin along the way-you'd
only Kill me without helping him."
You won't go, then?
Don't be foolish, Virginia"
Angry words rose in her throat but
she suppressed them.
She went swiftly to her cabin, put
on her warmest clothing, and, as BIZ
had showed her rolled compact
pack for her back.
She took a little package of food
--nourishing chocolate and dried
meat-the whisky flask that had been
her salvation the night of the river
experience, and a stub of a candle for
fire building.
Then, with never backward look,
she started away. down the dim, wind
blown, snowshoe trial.
Xxx
Now that the fight was done, Bill
lay quite calm and peaceful in the
drifts. The pain of the cold and the
rack of exhausted muscles were
quite gone.
He was face to face with the fam
ing truth, and he knew his fate.
On the trail that he had made on
the out journey, and which he had
tried so vainly to follow back, Virginia
came mushing toward him.
1t was long, hard. nerve-racking
trek.
Finally where the trail entered the
spruce thcket, her keen eyes made
out a curious, black shadow against
the snow.
The heart in her breast turned to
ice, her blood seemed to go still in her
veins She recognized this figure
now. 1t was Bill, lying still in the
frozen drifts.
She fairly raced toward him.
Now she knelt beside him, and
with no knowledge OF effort. turned
him over and lifted his head and
shoulders Into her arms.
His eyes were closed, his face OK
pressioness, his arms dropped limp
ly to his side,
She sobbed softly, and her tears
lay on his face
bill, oh BILL won't you wake UP
and speak to me7" she cried. She
pleaded softly, but he didn't seem to
hear.
Come back to me. BILL need
YOU" she told him. Its so cold
and I'm afraid Oh, please open your
eyes"
She kissed him over and over
XXI.
Bill had not been lying long inert
In the snow.
And now he thought he was In the
midst Of some WONDERFUL glorious
dream.
"Virginia," he whispered. rs It
you, Virginia-come to me-"
Then, so clearly that he could no
longer retain the delusion Of dream.
he heard his answer.
"Yes-and I've come to save you"
/ She gave him liquor. He felt
strength returning to his muscles. lie
tried to open his eyes.
Pm blind" he told her.
mo matter, I'll save you. Can you
eat?"
The man nodded.
She thrust a fragment of sweet
chocolate into his mouth. permitting
1t to melt.
You'd better get to your feet as
soon as you can-and try to get the