Evening journal., 1922-12-27
PART THREE
The Tanning
CHAPTER XIII
Eenrls is Restless

CHAP GR ALL
Fenris Is Restless
Ben rose at daybreak, wonderfully
refreshed by the nights sleep.
His first work was TO remove the
skin of last nights invader-the
huge grizzly that hay dead just out
side the cavern opening.
The hour was already past ten;
but Beatrice-worn out by the stress
of the night before-did not waken
until she heard the crack OF her
pistol. She lay a while. resting
watching through the cavern open
ing Ben's efforts to prepare break
fast.
Filling one OF the two tin plates
he stole into the cavern.
Falling into his mod the girl pre-
tended TO be asleep.
wake up. Beatrice" he COM
manded, with pretended grurfness.
IT'S after ten, and you've got to
cook my breakfast"
She stirred. pretending difficulty
in opening her eyes.
She opened her eyes TO find him
regarding her with boyish glee.
Then-as a surprise-he proffered
the filled plate.
The days passed quickly for Ben
and Beatrice. They found plenty OF
work and even OF play to pass the
time.
with his axe and hunting knife
Ben prepared a complete set Of fur
niture for their little abode. And for
more than a week, Beatrice was for
hidden 10 enter a certain covert lest
she should permaturely discover an
even greater wonder that Ben was
preparing for a surprise.
But one morning she missed the
familiar sounds OF his fre-building.
Presently she heard his mutter-
ing and grunting as he moved some
heavy object to the door OF the cave.
She hurried into her outer gar
ments. and in a moment appeared.
II was a hammock, suspended on a
stout frame, TO take the place OF her
iree-bough bed on the cave floor He
had used a grizzly skin. hanging It
with unbreakable sinew. and flesh
ioning II in such manner that folds
OF the hide could be turned over her
on cold nights.
Reading the gratitude in her eyes.
Ben's lips broke into radiant smile.
guess you've forgotten what
day 1t is" he said.
of course. I hardly know the
month";"
1--WE notched each day. you know.
And maybe you've forgotten-on the
ride out from Snowy Gulch-we
talked OF birthdays. Today is
yours"
He walked toward her, and her
eyes could not leave his. He bent
soberly. and brushed her lips with |
his own.
Lately Fernis had taken to wan |
dering into the forest at night. and /
once his throat and towls had been
stained with dark blood!
TITS getting too tame for You here, .
old boy, isn't it?' Ben said to him
one hushed, breathless night. But 1
walt just a little while more. 1t /
won't be tame then"
II was true: the hunting party, II /
they had started at once, must be /
nearing their death valley by now.
Matters reached a crisis between /
Fenris and himself one still. warm |
night in late July.
GO ahead If you like" Ben told |
him. God knows it's your des-
tiny"
The wolf seemed to understand. |
with glad bark he sped away and |
almost instantly vanished into the
gloom.
But Fenris had not broken all ties
with the cave. The chain was too /
strong for that. Fenris had Joined |
his fellows. TO be sure; but he still |
kept watch over the cave.
CHAPTER XIV
The Poison Plot
Beatrice had kept only an ap-
proximate track OF the days; yet she |
knew that an attempt TO rescue her |
inust be almost at hand.
The wolf had gone now to join his
fellows. She was not aware of his |
almost nightly return. Perhaps the |
fact Of his absence gave her an OPP
portunfty TO save her father from |
Ben's ambush.
The thought was with her. and /
she was desperate one long. warm
afternoon as she searched for roots |
and berries in the forest. And all at
once her hand reached toward a lit
tie vine Of black berries, each with a
green tuft ct the end.
AS IL by instinct, hardly aware Of |
the motion. she withdrew her hand. /
She knew this vine. It was the |
deadly nightshade. and handful OF 1
the berries spelt death. She started |
10 look elsewhere.
But presently she paused, arrested /
by an idea 30 engrossing and yet so
terrible that her heart seemed 10 /
pause In her breast