The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-01-05
By
EDISON MARSHALL
Author of
1.-THE VOICE of the Pack"
Copyright by Little, Brown, and Co.

man at disadvantage; and like tn
gods that first make mad those whom
they would destroy, 1t doesn't quit,
play fair. He understood now certain
wilderness tragedies Of which he hat
heard; how tenderfeet-lost among
the ridges-had broken into a wild
run that had ended nowhere excep
in exhaustion and death.
Bruce himself felt a wild desire {,
lash his horse into a gallop, but h,
forced 1t back with all his powers Of
Will. His calmer, saner self explained
that folly with entire clearness. II
would mean panic for the horse, and
then quick and certain death, either
at the foot Of precipice or from a
blow from low-hanging limb. The
horse seemed to be feeling It's way
rather than seeing.
They were strange, lonely figures
In the darkness; and for a long time
they rode almost In silence. Then
Bruce felt the girls breath as she
whispered.
Bruce" she said. Lets be brave
and look this matter In the face. Do
you think we've got a CHANGER
He rode long time before he an
swered. He CROPPED desperately for a
word that might bring her cheer, but
it was hard to find. The cold seemed
TO deepen about them, the remorseless
snow beat into his face.
Linda" he replied, at Is one of
the mercieS of this world for men al
ways to think that they've got
chance. Maybe it's only a cruelty in
our case"
Il think 1 ought to tell you some
thing else. l haven't the least way
of knowing whether we are on the
right trail"
Il knew that long ago. Whether
we are on any trail at ALL"
1--WE just been thinking. I don't
know how many forks 1t has. We
might have already got on a wrong
one. Perhaps the horse Is turned
about and is heading back home-to-
ward SlmOn's stables"
She spoke duly, and he thrust his
arm back to her. LINDA, try to be
brave" he urged. "We can only take
chance"
The horse plodded a few more
steps. 'Bravel To think that it is
you that has to encourage me-in-
stead Of my trying to keep up your
spirits. will try to be brave, Bruce.
And If we don't live through the
night, my last remembrance will be
of your brayery-how you, injured
and weak from loss Of blood, still re-
membered to give a CHEEKY word to
me-"
I'm not badly injured" he told
her gently. "And there are certain
things that have come clear to me
lately. One of them Is that except
for you-throwing your own precious
body between-I wouldn't be here at
ALL"
The feeling that they had lost the
trail grew upon them. Once they
halted to adjust the blankets on the
saddle, and they listened for any
sounds that might indicate that Simon
was overtaking them. But all they
heard was the soft rustic of the leaves
under the wind-blown snow.
Linda" he asked suddenly. "Does
it seem to you to be awfully cold?"
She waited a long time before she
spoke. This was not the hour to
make quick answers. On any decision
might rest their success or failure.
Il believe I can stand tia while
onger," she answered at last.
But don't think we'd better try
to. It's getting cold. Every hour it's |
colder, and / seem to be getting weak
er. 1t isn't real wound, Linda-but |
t seems TO have knocked some of my |
vitality out Of me, and I'm dreadfully
n need Of rest. l think we'd better |
.ry to make camp"
And go on by morning light?"
Eyes"
But Simon might overtake us
hen"
I'VE must stay out Of sight Of the
rail-. But somehow can't help but
lope he won't try to follow US on
such night as this"
He drew up the horse, and they sat
n the beat Of the snow. Don't make
my mistake about that, Bruce" she
old him. Remember, that unless he
'vertakes us before we come into the
protection Of the courts. his whole
light is lost. 1t doesn't alone mean
oss Of the estate-for which he would
isk his life just as he has a dozen
lines. 1t means defeat-a thing that
would come hard to Simon. Besides,
e's got a fire within him that will
eep him warm"
you mean-hatred?"
HAIRED. Nothing else"
But in spite of 1t we must make
amp. Wen get off the trail--if we're
till on it-and try to slip through to-
lorrow. You see what's going to hap
en- II we keep on going this way?"
II know that feel queer dread
land hopelessness-"
"And that dread and hopelessness
re just as much danger signals as
he sound Of Simon's horse behind
S. 1t means that the cold and the
now and the fear are getting the
etter Of us. Linda, it's race with
cath. Don't misunderstood me or
isbelieve me. 1t isn't Simon alone
ow. It's the cold and the snow and
ne fear. The thing to do is to make
amp, keep as warm as we can in our
lankets, and push on In the morn
lg. It's. two full days ride, going ,
lst, the best we can go-and God ,
nows what will happen before the '
nd"
"Then turn of the trail. Bruce" I
he girl told him.
Il don't know that we're even on /
he trafl.' II
turn off, anyway. As long as we