Bisbee daily review., 1922-01-05


She took little pac-;sze o: iooc
-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 a backward look,
she started away, down the dim,
wind-blown snowshoe trail
Xxx
Now that the fight was cone, Iii.
lay quite calm and peaceful in the
drifts. The pain OF the cold and
the wrack of exhausted muscles were
quite gone.
He was face to face VIZ; the flam-
ing truth, and he knew his tate.
On the trail that he had made on
the out-journey, and which he hau
tried so vainly to follow back, VIr-
ginia came mushing toward MN.
1t was long, hard, nerve-racking
trek
Finally where the trail entered the
spruce thicket, her keen eyes made
out 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 eX-
&c
to his side
on his face.
Bill, oh, Bill won't you wake up
and speak to me?" she cried. She
pleaded softly, but he didn't seem to
hear.
Come back to me, Bill - 1 need
you," she told him. Its so cold
and I'm afraid. oh, please open your
eyes"
She kissed him over and over
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. "Is it you,
V1rginia-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.
He tried to open his eyes.
I'm 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 |
it to melt.
You'd better get to your feet as |
soon as you can-and try to get the
blood flowing right again. We're only
a few miles from the cabin-if you'll |
just fight we can make it in"
He shook his head. Il can't can't |
go any further. l can't see the way" I
But I'll lead you. Try with every |
muscle you've got, Bill-for mel"
She need make no other appeal |
She took his hand, and they started |
mushing over the drifts.
They won at last.
And Harold stared at them like
lifeless thing as Bill reeled through !
the cabin doorway. Virginia led him
to her own cot, then drew the blan-
kets over him. And she was not so
exhausted but that she could continue
the fight for his recovery.
Build up the fire, and do it quick
ly," she ordered Harold Her tone
was terse, commanding, and curiously
he leaped to obey her. She removed
Bills snow-covered garments, and as
Harold went out to procure more fuel
she put the water on the stove to heat.
Then, procuring snow, she began to
rub Bills right hand, the hand that
had been frozen in his effort to grope
for the trail.
1t is one of the peculiar faculties of.
the human body to recover quickly
from the effects of severe cold. About
midnight Bill Weakened from a long
sleep, wholly clear-headed and free
from pain. Wet bandages were over
his eyes
He CROPPED and in a moment found
Virginias hands.
She was still sitting beside his bed,
in a blanket
He started to get up so that she
COulu nave HeT OWN COT. Gently Sne
pushed him down.
But I'm all right, now" he told her.
I'm sleepy-and sore-but I'm strong
as ever. Let me get to my own bed,
and get some Sleep"
No. I'm not sleepy yet"
But Bill laughed, the same gay
laugh that had cheered her so many
times. ITS my turn to be nurse
now" he told her. Get in quick
But | have some blankets spread
on the floor" she objected. II can
go to sleep there. when-Im-tired."
And | can go to sleep there right
now"
With his strong arms he half-lifted
her and laid her in his warm place.
The touch of his hand was in some
way wonderful-so strong, so comfort
ing.
Good night, BILL she told him
Sleepily.
In the hours of refreshing slumber