Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-02-08
CHAPTER ".

Ethel Sniveiy awakened to the gusty
swishing Of rain upon the roof From
beyond the blanket curtain. came the
warm irelight, and the crackle Of burn
ing wood. There was a plea mt odor Of
smoke and the aroma of frying bacon.
She arose at once and with chattering
teeth drew on her shoes. Then she
stepped into the freight
Smell was busy before the fire. A
bulky lump under the blankets on the
floor betrayed Ravenars whereabouts.
Good morning, lady" greeted Smell
without looking up. Better get up to
the fire It's turned pretty crimpy."
Ethel stood beside the fire for some
time. With a queer mixture Of disgust
and pity she watched the mountaineer
baking fapiecks over the IRE.
Better wash up he suggested
There's q basin and water over by the
door"
While she was bathing her face IN the
cold water Ethel was startled by com
motion on the floor behiud her. She
looked around quickly-and laughed.
Smell had awakened Ravenal by the
simple method OF Jerking the blankets
away. Ravenal spluttered angriIy and
tried TO burrow under the remaining
blankets.
thine to roll out" stated Smell, with
n calm insistence Then as Ravenal
groaned and tried to roll into the lower
bedding the mountaineer picked up all
the blankets and tossed them into the
corner
Breakfast was not a social yuccess.
Ethel sched all over from the harl rough
bed. Besides she felt nightly aggr!c1ed
nj having 10 spend the night n such
place Much Of her crouch, perhaps. was
due TO he inability to move smell and
TO her contempt for Ravenars utter in
competence Ravenal was sour and ST
lent
After they had eaten Smell washed the
dishes and placed them in their proper
packs 7 hen he folded ell the bedding
and piled IL beside the door in readiness
FOR an early departure.
Day was just breaking The rain had
turned 70 snow and a harsh wind was
driving The lce-like particles through the
cracks Of She cabin.
without speaking TO the others Smell
went out toward the shed where he had
sheltered the animals.
Ethel waited for Ravenal to speak He
did not seem anxious To begin.
well" she demanded at last. what
are we going TO dor
Ravenal shrugged his shoulders and
tapped the ash from his cigarette
"Oh. III tinker up the car after this
bird is gone, or II It comes to the worst
we can stop here until somebody comes
along"
I'VE can't stop here" Ethel was very
decided. 81 never want to see the noun
talns again as long as I live"
Smell came In leaving the door open
and began dragging out his blankets
and pack saddles In a half fascinated
daze Ethel watched him saddle the four
animals. Without compromising she
noted that pack saddles were placed on
the two mules and stock-rding sad
dies on the two mountain ponies. When
the animals were all saddled Smell car
ried out a pair Of canvas bags and hung
them on the sawbuck horns of one of the
pack saddles. Upon that foundation he
piled sacks and boxes until 1t seemed to
Ethel a If the mule must be forced into
the ground with the weight. Upon the
top Of the pack he spread the blankets
and covered the whole with n canvas
he'd cover. Next he threw a hitch with
the pack rope and In spite of the mules
protesting groans he cinched it tight.
Finally the two mules were packed
Smell took a turn about the cabin peer
ing into the corners in search Of over
looked articles He picked up a knife
from the hearth and salvaged a half
burned candle from the mantel Then
he sat down with his back to the FIRE
and filled his pipe. Calmly, deliberately,
he looked from Ethel to Ravenal.
Suppose we ramble," he said quietly.
Ravenal moved uneasily. Ethel shot a
quick glance at SHELLS face. Her fright
ened gaze swinging back encountered the
bed upon which she had spent the night
With a stifed cry she ran across to the
bunk
MY grip" she exclaimed. "Its gone
Il left il on the bed!'
Smell pulled at his pipe and regarded
her with hard, unblinking eyes. Ethel
looked quickly around the room, then
with a catlike movement she faced the
mountaineer.
"Where is my grip" she demanded
Smell took his pipe out OF his mouth
and looked up at her with a smile.
"It's in that gray mules pack" he
said.
H. w..