The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-09-17

glad of an excuse for some diver
sion to pass the hours pleasantly. 1t
was very lonely and strange out here,
in the open, in the full sweep of the
wind over the barren lands.
But Ned wasn't aware of Dooms-
DORIS plans. The great blonde man
stretched his arms, yawning. buttoned
his coat tighter about him and turned
to go. TN see you in about five
days" he remarked laconically.
Ned Weakened abruptly from his
reverie. You mean-you aren't 60
ing to show me anything more?"
I've shown you how to set your
traps, for every kind of an animal. 3"
Doomsdorf said. You ought to be
able to do the rest. BY the time you
come around, We'll likely have freez-
ing weather-that means you'll have
to thaw out your animals before you
skin them.
Here and here and here"-he
paused, to put in Ned's hands a clasp
hunting knife, razor-sharp, a small
pocket hone to whet his tools. and
light ak that had been hanging back
of the stove-'are some things you'll
need The time will come when you'll
need showshoes, too. There's a pair
on the rafters. Now I'm going to
spend the night-in more agreeable
company"
For moment the two men stood re-
garding each other in absolute ST
lence. Then Doomsdorf's keen ears,
eager for such sounds, caught the
whisper of Ned's troubled breathing.
Presently a leering smile flashed
through the blonde beard.
You mean-you and Lenore Will be
alone?" Ned asked.
You saw the squaw start out
with Bess?" was the triumphant an
swer But why should you care?
1t was IGNORES own wish to stay.
Shed take me and comfort any time,
sooner than endure the cold with
you. OF such stuff. my boy, are wom-
en- made"
Neds face. ifeless and white as 2
stone. was no longer loose with ter
ror. A desperate fury had brought
him to the verge of madness.
That's a foul lie"' he shouted,
| reckless of Doomsdorf's retaliation.
"She didn't dream that you would do
that"
Doomsdorf struck him off, hurting
MIN against the wall; but It was not
with the idea of inflicting punish
ment
Ned could not speak, but Dooms-
dorf looked at him with the fire of a
zealot in his eyes.
Il don't want anything that's that
easy" he said with infinite contempt.
Sometimes the game is harder. I
take back something L inferred
moment ago-that all women would
do the same. The best of them, the
most of them, still will go through
hell for an idea: and that's the kind
whose spirit is worth while to break.
Do you know any one who right now,
likely enough is trudging along
through this hellish snow with forty
pounds of traps over her back?
Ned shudered, hurting off his
doubt. believing yet in the fidelity OF
his star. Il don't know, ami 1 don't
care" he answered.
That's what Bess Gilbert is do
man, is a woman worthy of my
steelr'
He turned and STROBE out the door.
Ned was left to his thoughts and the
still. small voices Of the waste places.
Alone with the wilderness night
whose word was the master word of
life, and with the wind that sobbed
unhappy secrets as it swept his
cabin roof.
Thus began a week of trial for Ned.
For the first time in his life he was
thrown wholly upon his own re
sources. standing or falling by his
own worth. Should he fall insensible
n the snow there We're none to seek
him and bring him into shelter. If
he should go astray and miss the
cabins there was no one to set him
on the right path again. He was
meeting the wilderness alone. and face
to face.
He crossed the divide to the Forks
cabin, followed the springs to Thirty
Mile cabin, descended to the set, and
along the shore to the home cabin.
just as he had been told to do. He
put out his traps as he went in what
seemed to him the most likely places.
using every vile Doomsdorf had
taught him to increase his chances
for CATCH In spite of the fact that
he went alone, the second day was
ever so much easier than the first;
and he came into the home cabin only
painfully tired, but not absolutely
exhausted, on the fifth.
All through the five days he had
strengthened himself with the thought
that Lenore awaited him at the jour
ney's end; and she had never seemed
so lovely to him as when, returning
in the gray twilight, the saw her
standing framed in the lighted door
way of the home cabin
Doubtless it was his own eagerness
that made her seem so slow in com
ing into his arms; and his own great
fire that caused her to seem to lack
warmth. He had been boyishly an
ticipatory, foolishly exultant. Yet it
was all sweet enough The girl flut-
tered a single instant in his arms.
and he felt repaid for everything.
Let me CO." she whispered tense
ly, when his arms tried to hold her.
Don't let Doomsdorf see. He might
kill you
But it came about that she didn't
finish the warning. Presently she felt
his arms turn to steel. She felt her
self thrust back until her eyes looked
straight into his.
She had never seen Ned in this