Betty Zane

somber hue of winter and now looked indescribably dreary. An ice gorge had formed in the bend of the river at the head of the island and from bank to bank logs, driftwood, broken ice and

el with Col. Zane's fence and in some places the top rail had disappeared. The pine

l. The man carried a rifle, an axe, and several steel traps. His snow-shoes sank into the drifts as he labored up the s

what is it?" said Jonat

tony relieved here and there by a black tree trunk. Tige sniffed again and then growled. Turning his ear to the breeze Jonathan heard faint yelps from far over the hillt

he heard distinctly their peculiar, broken howls. They were in pursuit of something, whether quadruped or man he could not decide. Another moment and he was no longer in doubt, for a deer dashed

close at hand. The buck staggered to his feet; he turned this way and that. When

a tree, which, however, was not large enough to screen his body. He thought the bu

came on in a lame uneven trot, making straight for the tree. When he reached the tree he crouched, or rather fell, on the ground within a yard of Jonathan and his dog. H

y looking beasts, burst from the bushes. With their noses close to the snow they followed the trail.

t deer," said Jonathan. "Tige, we will save this buck from tho

and coming swiftly Jonathan threw his rifle forwar

Hi! Take

One dropped dead and another fell wounded at the report of Jonathan's rifle. The others t

would not harm you," said Jonathan, looking at the panting d

Tige and wended his way down

ble cabin, where all was warmth and cheerfulness. Blazin

see about the horses? If I were you I would not undertake that trip to Fort Pitt until the weather breaks. You could go in the sled,

e in for some

shell-bark here in the yard were larger and tougher than I ever saw them. Last October Tige killed a raccoon that had the wooliest kind of a fur. I could have give

ired chopping wood and h

the family to be moody. I have known our father to take his gun and go into the woods and stay there until he had fought out the spell. I have done that myself, but once I

d the meat. And even if I did want to hunt I should not have to go out of sight of the fort. There were three deer in front of the barn this morning. They were nearly starved. They ran off a little at sight of me, but in a few mo

ike this will kill more deer than an army could

ve thirty

to fetch down another load o

ey are all alike; forever wanting to be on the go. If it isn't Indians it is something else. The very idea

marked Col. Zane. "You may not think so, but a home and pretty little woman

nquered that adventurous spirit and the desire to be always roaming the woods in search of something to kill. Your old boy, Noah, is growing up like all the Zanes. He fights w

out the McCollochs? What have you to say of your father and the Major and John McColloch? They are not anything if not the fighting

led ride. Betty needs exercise. She stays in

She was never ill in her life.

e time she sits and gazes out of her window. She used to be so bright, and when she was not romping with the children she busied herself with her ne

," said Col. Zane, gravely. "She seems more quiet.

while after Mr. Clark

exclaimed the Colonel, stopping in front of his wife. His faced h

that look on your fac

, as she quietly place

g much, certainly noth

entleman. I rea

interrupted

cause we cannot imagine any one indifferent to our beautiful Betty. Nevertheless, no matter how attractive a woman may be men sometimes lov

or opened and Betty ran in, followed by the sturdy, r

umbled off the sled into the snow. Then we had a snow-balling contest,

ny indication of the change in Betty which his wife had spoken, he concluded that women were better qualified to judge their own sex tha

ll, and I made Betty run into the house, and I slid down

he hill he was braver than you. Now both of you

tty. "I am nearly frozen. It is growing colder

led-ride to-night. There is to be a dance down at Watkins' place. All the young people are going. It is a long ride, but I guess it

leased to go,

white birch-bark. They were adorned with a few pictures and Indian ornaments. A bright homespun carpet covered the floor. A small bookcase stood in the corner. The other furniture consisted of two chairs,

casins. "Usually he is not anxious to have me go so far from the fort; and now he seemed

it. Swift as light came the thought that her brother and his wife had suspected her secret and had been talking about her, perhaps pitying her. With this thought came the fear that if she had betrayed herself

since that last nigh

ad been

she had expected some word from Alfred, a letter, or if not that, surely an apology for his conduct on that last evening they had been together. But Jonathan br

g of her welfare and would naturally see even a slight change in her. With a sudden shock of surprise and pain she realized that to-day for the first time in a month she had played with the boys. Sammy had asked her why she did not laugh any more. Now she understood the mad antics of Tige that morning; Madcap's whinney of delight; the c

e had spurned his first proffer of friendship; how, little by little, her pride had been subdued; then the struggle with her heart. And, at last, after he had gone, came the realization t

, giving up to a rush of tender feeling. "I love him. I

head her face was pale and cold. It bore the look of a girl who had suddenly become a woman; a woman who saw the battle of life

in the veins of daring, reckless men who had fought and died for their country; men who had won their sweethearts with the sword; men who had had unconquerable spir

ionately. "He never deserved my love. He did not care. I was a little fo

n to supper a few minutes later she tried to maintain a cheer

it is only that Betty grows a little tired of this howling wilderness. Small wonder if she does. You know she has always been used

ontempt on her face. "I am sure I hope you are right. By the way, what

He seems agreeable. He is a good-

e at Pitt, and that he had been a friend of

Simon is the very prince of devils. I have known all the Girtys for years. Simon was not a bad fellow before he went over t

at I have no sensible reason for my dislike. He is pleasant and agreeable, yes,

s mind. I'll vouch for that," said Col. Zane. "Betty is inclined to be

have had many admirers while in Philadelphia, but out here on the border it will neve

d. What would you have her do? M

aid Mrs. Zane as the jingling of

ree powerful teams stood before the door. They were hitched to sleds, or clod-hoppers, which were nothing more tha

re she is," he cried, as

the foremost sled. At her feet he placed a buckskin bag c

"You will have clear weather. Coming back look we

under the horses' hoofs and soon whitened the black-robed figures in the sleds. The way led down the hill past the Fort, over the creek bridge and along the road that skirted the Black Forest. The ride was long; it led up and down hills, and through a lengthy stretch of gloomy forest. Sometimes the drivers walked the horses up a steep climb and again raced them along a l

fully with robes and led into sheltered places,

ne had founded the settlement. He was noted for his open-handed dealing and kindness of heart. He had loaned many a head of cattle which had never been returned, and many a sack of flour had

His daughter Susan greeted the men with a little curtsy and kissed the girls upon the cheek. Susan was not pretty, though

e. Soon the floor was covere

he was still vigorous enough to do her day's work with more pleasure than many a younger woman. Just now she was talking to Wetzel, who leaned upon his inseparable rifle and list

was saying. "Put that gun in the corner and get out t

on, mother," an

f then and laugh too if you want. I hope that

e of me," he said gentl

n the West. If she does 'twill do her no good. She needs a strong arm to build cabins, a quick eye with a rifle, and a fearless heart. What border-women w

lly. "But I'd hate to see a flower lik

k. And you might win her if you would give up running mad after Indians. I'll allow no

shaking his head. "If I got married the fever would come on and I'd l

walk off with her. Look at her. She likes fun and admirati

e old lady as Wetzel did not answer. "There,

me is M

ntrary old woman, I know, but I have seen a good many men in my time, an

for Miller. She's just

e and this girl is a Zane clear through. Go and fetch her

n for me. There's none on earth," said the hu

men. There was something in his dark face that compelled interest and yet left the observer in doubt. His square chin,

e disposition. It was whispered that he drank, and that he had been friendly with the renegades McKee, Elliott, and Girty. He had passed the f

some strong feeling. A half-subdued fire gleamed from his dark eyes. A pecul

slikes. Had not Betty told them she did not care for Mr. Miller? What was the meaning of the arch glances she bestowed upon him, if she did not care for him? To be sure, it was nothing wonderful for Betty to smile,-she was always prodigal of her smiles-but she had never been known to enco

oughtfulness the next. And if there had been, it would have excited no comment. Most of the young men had sampled some of

ed room were benches upon which were seated some of the dancers. Betty was uneasy in mind and now wished that she had rem

have gone. Let us

t. I wish to speak to you. I have asked you many

by again referring to that subject," answered Betty with dignity. "I

not take 'No' for an answer. I love you with a

filled her eyes. Her heart softened to this man, and her conscience gave her a little twinge of remorse. Could she not have a

ery sorry for you, and angry with myself that I did not try to help you instead of

d speaking and started for the door Miller intercep

y fast and loose with me! Do you understand? What have you meant all t

persons who evidently were not misled as to your real nature. I will not listen to you,

had been aroused. The fierce border blood boiled within his heart. Unmasked he showed himself in his true colors a fr

proud beauty. I shall have

. She struck him a stinging blow with her free hand and struggled with all her m

will kiss you for that b

u ruffian! Release

er stood still in the doorway for a second and then with the swiftness of light he sprang forward. The single straightening of his arm se

She had thrown herself in front of him as Miller got to his feet. With both little hands she clu

ttering eyes of the hunter. "You have punished him enough. He only tried to kiss me. I wa

his knife, and many of his past fights testified that he was not a coward. But he made no effort to attack Wetzel. It was certain that he measured with his eye the distance to the door. Wetzel was not like other men. Irrespective of his wonderful strength and agility there was something about the Indian hunter t

romise me that you will not do Miller any further harm. If you had fought it would all have been on my account; one or both of you might have been killed. Don'

been holding his hand in both her

nestly. "But I ask it of you. You are my best friend, almost my brother, and I promise yo

im go, considerin' h

must be on the lookout," said Betty gravely as s

ike a moccasin snake t

ok mussed or-or excited-

loom had not quite returned to her cheeks. With a look in his eyes that would have mystified Betty for many a day had she but se

good look at you. Well, well, you are a true Zane. Black hair and eyes; all fire and pride. Child, I knew your father and mother

id Betty, smiling bri

ways have the Colonel to look after you. They tell me you have been to some grand school in Phila

pioneers' homes. I have persuaded brother Eb to

come and see me often. So must you in summertime. Poor lad, I suppose he is dead by this time. I have seen so many

that I must come with him to see

d while you are so young. Wait until you are ol

I do not remember that, but as far back as I can go in memory I can see L

as an Indian, but I am an old woman and I can read men's hearts. If he could

ot care for me in that way," said Betty, surp

e strong, and earnest. The light in the eyes of these maidens shone like the light from the pine cones on the walls. It beamed soft and warm. These fearless sons of the wilderness, these sturdy sons of progress, standing there clas

e it's about time we had some supper. Somewhere in the big cake is hid a gold ring. If one of the girls gets it she can keep it as a gift from Susan, and should one of the boys find it he may make a present to his best

Watkins' delicious apple and pumpkin pies for which she was renowned, disappeared

ong been an ardent admirer of Susan's, and it was suspected that she was not indifferent to him. Nevertheless, she protested that it was not fair. George acted like a man who had the opportunity of his life. Amid uproarious laughter he ran Susan all over the room, and when he caught her he pulled her hands away from her blushing face an

ager to start on the long homeward journey, were pulling hard on their bits. On the party's return trip there was an absence of the hilarity which had prevailed on their coming. The bells we

unded the lonely roads, and their wonderful power of scent and swift and tireless pursuit made a long night ride a thing to be dreaded. While the hors

ef when the top of the last steep hill had been reached. The girls were quiet, and ti

south. He had about made up his mind that he had only imagined he had heard something when the unmistakable yelp of a wolf came down on the wind. Then another, this time clear and distinct, caused the driver to turn and whisper to Wetzel. The hunter spoke in a low tone and the driver whipped up h

he long howl will make one shudder. It is so lonely and dismal. It makes no difference whether it be given while the wolf is sitting on his haunches near

st had its answer in another howl from the creek thicket, she slipped her litt

could be distinctly heard. The slender, dark forms came nearer and nearer every moment. Presently the wolves had approached close enough for the occupants of the sleds to see their shining eyes looking like little balls of green fire. A

agony from the leader. He rolled over and over. Instantly followed a horrible mingling of sna

the fort was now short and the horses were urged to their utmost. The wolves kept up the chase until they reached the creek b