San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-15
The Making Of
a Husband
A n n Lisle' s N e ID
Phase of Jim and
Anne's Marital
Adventure
BY ANN Isle
Chapter 81.

the hour that followed on my discov-
cry that BERTHE Lingard's gun was not
loaded. Looking back on it now,
can actually project myself back into
the moment when | realized that the
only thing to do was telephone Nich
clas Perry and ask him to come to the
rescue. | hated to do it. But it was
a choice between him and the STRAIT.
toms and, of course, he was vastly
rreferablc-cven though | felt certain
that Jcanie would presently know all
about it and start a new TRADE
against Jim.
| could hear Tarasovs axe ringing
out on the edge of the woods as
went across the room to the telephone.
j could almost see him at work i'll the
clearing which lay across the path be-
tween Tho Birches and The Hedge
row. But at least | did not feel his
dull green animals eyes on me while
was inside The Birches and shut off
from his gaze.
picked up the telephone and
waited for the operotor's Number
please? No sound The telephone
had that leaden. deafness which be
tokens trouble on the wire. | rat.
tied the hook up and down vigorously.
There was no response. | waited
Minutes passed. Five of them. And
still there was no word from the opor-
ator. | put the receiver back on the
hook and began walking about tho
room. There was nothing the matter
With the wire. Couldn't be. 1t was
Just that We had particularly poor
and inattentiye operator. Thus l re-
assured myself.
As | walked about the room, wait
Ing a few minutes before trying again
to get Central, couldn't keep my
eyes from the clearing from which the
sound of Tarasov's axe rang so clearly
on the still air.I could see him working
away, but lifting his head now and
then to send his piercing glance to-
ward the Birches. | realized that it
would be impossible to leave the house
without his seeing me.
If he is-dangerous-he'd get me
and drag me back" | realized. If
he isn't, why go out in this storm
The wind had risen in sudden fury.
Branches were cracking overhead. The
snow began to whirl and spin in thick
eddics Of white.
I went back to the telephone. Ate:
ten minutes l realized that the line
was dead
Then I heard Tarasov stirring
about the kitchen. Presently he came
into the study. where i he'd lighted
all the lights to the brightest glow
/ could get from full illumination.
with n few lamp-shades removed to
make the very corners Of the room
light. Now the giant COssack had
the air Of a man too absorbed IN
business to notice mere woman. He
WIS slowing his logs carefully, ar
ranging matters as if for long siege.
At last he stood up, blowing on
his fingers.
Il 90 now he said. II bring
much things. Candles too. The telc'
phone she go, the lights she 90 too
Maybe IL she get too cold. You let IN"
sleep in the cellar. | htink you need
man should keep furnace"
I'm very much obliged, I'm sure,
| managed with dry lips.
Il go quick. ! come soon. She most
six nOw-and all darkness have come.
But eight ] think to be back. DO
svedanya." said Tarasov.
But this time. as he bowed himself
out, | had the full measure of my own
helplessness. knew that there was
not single cartridge in BERTHE Lin
CARDS gun.
After Tarasov had gone went out
into the kitchen and began to get
supper. ! had to occupy myself i'll
some fashion-otherwisc the silence
and the wild intervals when the wind
screamed anil soughe,l would have beer
alike uncomfortable. ] realized that
must husband my resources. Still 1t
seemed wise To prepare tho leg of lamb |
the butcher boy had left on his twice
a-weck- round. The meat would keep |
better once it was roasted. And some |
thing within me. quite ignoring the
panic IF the rest of me. said
The meat will be nicely done anil |
quite hot by the time Tarasov gets
back. He deserves a good hot meal. |
He deserves plenty. He's n faithful
dog. YOU know. You wouldn't h.
afraid Of thr largest. ficrccst. Belgian
police dog in the world-if he was
yours"
For few minutes 7 was treasured. |
! nc WORTH uuiSlut WIS SlleHi' nv |
falling flakes came steadily, whitcn-
ing everything to ghostly beauty. Sud
denly the silence became oppressive
there was n sense Of something wait
ing to pounce. And then the storm
broke in fury. II was no longer a
beautiful Winter spectacle. II was a
raging blizzard-a tornado of flying
white flakes. sucking currents and
screaming witch winds from the north.
Tho elements seemed to he be-
fricnding me. For | knew that in
such n wild storm even Tarasov could
not como back from the village. =.
Rut could hc make it? 4 wave Of pity
and anxiety swept over me-and in
that moment all my fear Of the giant
Cossack died forever AMI fear for him
was born. ] prayed for his safety
ont there in the storm.
The wind ragged and howied louder
and louder. Suddenly above it
beard furious knocking at the front
door. 7 was no longer afraid of any
thing. The pioneer woman in me- was
aroused With prayer for thc safety
nf all travellers on n night such as this,
I rushed to the front door and opened
il.
The door was whirlcd in by blast
Of wind. Snow swept into the hall
like a curtain Of mist ] was blinded
for the moment Then I saw some
one sweep in before the blast. Hag
gard dishevcled and torn, my visitor
was flung into the hald and stood IA
ing me defiantly.
10 was Ioanio.