Evening star., 1928-02-26

them. Il should look for the crisis some
time within few hours. Probably
tonight, along toward morning. He'll
either die then. or take turn for the
better. Can't tell"
Dave sucked at his lips in distress;
they were all grave and perturbed. heavy
with concern for the life of this
miserable man-for whose neck a moose
waited. 20 miles away DR.. Pride said
'Somebodyll have to take care of him -
They considered this then Dave
asked slowly. Got to be kept quiet,
has he? Got to be kept warm"
The doctor shook his head. Keep
him cool, so much the better" he re-
marked. Relieve that fever that's
burning him up Long as he doesn't
freeze. you can't get him too cold"
Dave nodded. THAT was notion I
had" he commented. Then he asked
that's going to bleed much?" he asked
Keep 1t quiet and 1t won't bother
YOU the physician told him. Better
put 1t in a sling"
You fix it so it won't bleed" Dave
urged. I'm going to have to use IT.
use it? Why?"
why. I got to take this here Penny
back to Thomaston," said Hepperton.
with slow finality.
-
4 ND so the thing came to pass. the
Z exploit is still retold in Fraternity.
"Oh. they opposed him: they argued
with the man. they did everything but
restrain him by force. But Dave Hep
perton was always stubborn sort: al
ways one to have his own way. He
had made up his mind before he spoke
and, having made up his mind, there
was no moving him.
Rather. he moved them. bent them 20
his will. The Shay place was on an
old road seldom used. well above
Belters farm: 1t was impossible to bring
the sleigh up through the great drifts
So he must be carried down the hill
and Better and Dr. Pride did so carry
him. Dave plodding through the snow.
behind them. with his useless arm
dangling. He was In haste. Its
showing harder" he reminded them
"and blowing. Itll take me till late
tonight to get him back there as 1t Is
I got to get started. ..."
He and Joe Better had gone up the
Hill at daybreak. but there was so many
things to be made ready that 1t was
mid d-forenoon before he could start
upon his journey. His arm was in a
sling.
III you use 1t. you'll start the bleed
Ing" DR.. Pride warned him.
Penny was dressed In many thick
nesses OF warm clothes and wrapped in
heavy furs A jug Of hot water was
set between his feet. Because he tossed
and twisted In his dclimiun. they bound
him into his wrappings like a cocoon,
and then secured the whole upon the
seat OF the sleigh.
Hcpperton asked Better for bottle OF
rum. "Penny1l need something. toward
night" he explained. He drank two
cups Of hot coffee himself. then strobe
out into the barnyard. where Joe Better
had the sleigh waiting. A gust Of snow
| struck him In the face, blindingly, and
he tugged his hat down over his eyes
and took the reins and guided the
| plunging horse out into the road.
Chet McAusland was there to see the
start. and three or four others. Dave
wallowed through the snow on the
right side OF the sleigh. steadying /.
with hts left arm. II slid dr,inkcnly
! from side To side among the drifts. A
few rods away he dipped over the brow
OF. the hill and disappeared.
There was always afterward part
OF that day that left no mark upon
Hrpperton's memory, but this came
later.
| At first he was strong and confident:
the exercise warmed him. his heavy
coat kept out the bite Of the wind and
the felt and rubbers OH his feet fought
Oft the cold The first mile was down.