New Britain herald., 1922-01-14
THE SNOKSHOE TRAIL EDISON MARSHALL
 (Iile. Brown $ Co. and N. F. A. seryce)
EDISON MARSHALL
(Little. Brown $ Co. and N. E. A. service)

door And then she uttered a curl. ous cry.
 "Now!' she called sharply. There was no time for Harold to dart hack even to be alarmed. A mighty force descended upon his body.
 In less than minute he was bound helpless. ''"'
 God, what are you going to do to me7" he asked.
 Why, Harold, you are to be our little truck horse," Virginia replied as she handed Bil, more thongs "You are going to pull the sled and show the way down into Bradleyburg." xxx.
 when the dawn came full and bright over Clearwater, Bill and his party were ready to start.
 When Harold had been thoroughly cowed and his full instructions given him, the thongs had been put about his ankles and removed from his wrists, and he was permitted to do the packing.
 That procedure was exceedingly simple; all available blankets were piled on the sled and made into n ped for Virginia, and the ax, candles and such cooking utensils as were needed were packed in front. And then they had n short but decisive in- terview with Harold.
 T won't go-Ill die first" he cried to Virginia. Besides. you don't dare to use force on me: you don't know the way and Bill can't see. You know If you kill me you'll die yourself"
 Fair enough" Virginia replied sweetly. But take just this little word of advice. Bill and I were all reconciled to dying when we thought of you-and we won't mind 1t now if we're sure you are going along. And Bill will tell you that I can shoot straight. Perhaps you learned that fact last night"
 They heightened the thong that tied his ankles together, giving him room for full walking step but not enough to leap or run.
 They put on his hands a pair Of awkward mittens that had been stiff ened by mud and water. and dashed them to his wrists.
 Then they slipped the thong of the sled across his shoulders and under his arms like the loopus of a kyack. They were ready to go.
 T haven't much hope" Bill told Virginia when she was tucked into the bed on the sled. But it's the only chance we have"
 She smiled at him. "At least, Bill, u,o'n bovo dopo ovarvfb;,o u-o oopId Goodby, little cabin-where I found happiness. Sometime, perhaps, we'll come back to you!"
 The man bent and kissed her. and she gave the word for Harold to start.
 At the end of three bitter days, Bill Bronson stood once more on the hill that looked down upon Bradleyburg. The twilight was growing in the glen beneath; already it had cast shadows on the sled.
 It had been cruel hardship, the three days journey But fortune had played them we'll in this-they had found the food Vosper abandoned.
 Virginia was on the rapid road to- ward recovery from her wound. It had not been severe; while she was lying still on the sled it had had every chance to heal.
 Bills sight had grown steadily bet ter as the days had passed; already the Spirits of Mercy had permitted him, at close range, to behold Vir- ginia's face.
 A half-mile back, just before they approached the first fringe of the spruce forest, they had met trapper just starting out on his line; and he had gladly consented to take Harold the rest of the way into town. He was to be lodged in prison to face charge of attempted murder--a crime that in the northwest provinces is never re- garded lightly.
 And you weren't drowned!" the trapper marveled, when he had got his breath. We've been mournin' you for dead-for months"
 "Drowned-not bit of it," Virginia answered galy. And don't mourn any more."
 Bill felt wholly able to follow the broad snowshoe track the half-mlie farther into town. The footsteps or the men had "grown faint and died away-and Virginia and he were lelt together on the hill
 They saw the church spire tall ana ghostly in the twilight, and Bllls strong arms pressed the girl close. She understood and smiled happily.
 "Of course, Bill" she told him. "There is no need to wait. In a few days I'll be strong enough to stand be- side you--at the altar.
 THE END.