The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-10-01

with less loss Of vital energy; the
crossing OF n swollen stream or a
perilous morass. or the climbing
OF 4 slippery glacier. Every day
tho wilderness unrollcd It's pages
20 his eyes.
The little daily encounters with
tho void life were ever a greater
delight lie found pleasure In try
ing 70 guess tho Identity OF tho
lesser, scurryinE people no met
on tho tran; he found a moving
beauty In tho far.off glimpse OF
tho running pack. In vivid silhou'
ette on the ridge az twilight' tho
sight OF bull caribou tossing his
farspreadlng antlers sent his blood
moving fast IN his veins, By the
grace OF the Red Gods he was
afforded tho excitement OF being
obliged TO hacktrack 200 yards In
order gracefully 20 yield tho trail
90 great. surly Alaskan bear
already seeking lair for his win.
ter sleep.
Ho crossed tho divide 20 Forks
cabin. followed the spring 20
Thlrty,Milo cabin. descended 10
tho sea. and along tho shore 10
tho home cabin. Just as no had
been told 20 do. Ito put out his
traps as no went In what seemed
90 him tho most likely places,
using every wile Doomsdorf had
taught him 20 increase his chances
for a catch. In spite OF tho fact
that no went alone, tho second day
was ever 30 much easier than the
first: and no camo into tho home
cabin only painfully tired. but not
absolutely exhausted. on tho NTH.
OF course he didn't forget that.
other things being equal. these first
five days were his easiest dhys.
Actual trapping had not yet start
ed: ne had not been obliged 20
stop. thRw out and skin such larg.
er animals as would be found dead
In his traps; nor yet work late into
the night flcshinE and stretching
tho pelts A greater factor was
tho moderate weather: llght snow
fall and temperature above frees
Ing. considerable variance from
tho deadly billiards that would
ensue.
All thru the five days he had
strengthened himself with the
thought that Lcnore awaited him
AZ tho journeys end: and she had
never seemed 30 lovely 20 him as
when. returning In the gray twt.
light. no saw her standing framed
in the lighted doorway OF tho homo
cabin. She had suffered no ~.
treatment In his absence. The
great fear that had been upon his
heart was Eroundless. after all: her
face was fresh. her eyes bright.
she was not lost In despair. In
spite OF his aching muscles. his
face lighted with hopefulnesz and
relief that was almost happiness.
Doubtless Il was his own eager.
ness that made her seem so slow
In coming into his arms: and his
own great fire that caused her to
seem to lack warmth. Ito had
been boyiahiy Rntieipatory. foolish.
~ exultant. Yet II was all swee,
enough. The Eiri fiut,ercd a single
instant In hts arms had no felt
repaid for everything.
Let mo go shs whispered
tenseIy. when his arms tried 10
hold her. Don't let Doornadorf
sec. Ho might kill you-''
But Il came about that she didu'tI
finish the warning. Presently she
felt his arms turn to steel. She
felt herself thrust back until her
eyes looked straight into his.
She had never seen Ned In this
mood before. Indeed shs couldn't
ever remember experiencing the
sensation that swept her now: Sc
cretly appalled, at him. burnt with
his fire. wayering beneath his will.
She didn't know he had arms Ike
that. His face. when she tried 10
meet IL, hardly seemed his own.
The flesh was Ike gray iron. the
eyes cold Ms stones.