Track's End

ction: with what I do at the Headquarters H

ut was that perhaps there were no matches left in the town. I ran to the match-safe so fast that I bumped my head against the wall. The saf

ee the bank building opposite. An awful feeling like sinking came over me as I realized how matters stood; and 44 the worst of it was that I had brought it upon myself. I rushed into the dining

a while I could think a little. But I could not get over knowing that it was all my own fault, and that I might be riding away on the train with friends, and with people to see and talk to. I realized that it was all my quick temper and stubbornness which was to

ad not had above a quarter of a meal all day. I thought I heard a scratching at the door, and opened it. Something rushed in and almost upset me; then I knew it was Kaiser, Sours's dog. I was never so glad to see

ed warm in his thick coat of black hair, and wagged his tail like a good fellow. I don't know why it was, but I thought I had never wanted to talk so badly before. "

I don't think I was quite so foolish about her as I had been about the dog, but I was glad to see her. After the fire was started I g

d I took up the pen and as well as I could with my stiff fingers headed a page "December 17th," and below registered myself, "Judson Pitche

ything in the house was frozen, but I thawed out some meat, and ate some bread without its being thawed, and boiled a couple of eggs, and had a 47 meal wh

k outside, it was not yet six o'clock, and as I felt calmer than I had before, I sat down in front of the fire to consider how matters stood. I think I realiz

ybe I can hide if they come." I thought a minute more and then said: "No, I won't do that–I'll fight, if I have a chance. They won't have any way of knowing that I am here alone, and if I ca

get through if no more snow came; though I had no idea how far I might have to go, since for all I knew Lac-qui-Parle might also be abandoned; and, even if it were not, I knew that it had no trains and that I would probably have to travel overland to the other side of the Minnesota line be

nd 49 them glad to see me; and I was glad to see them. And while shoveling away the snow I had shoveled away my fit of the blues; and from that day to this I've taken notice

dn't have much to say. They refused to come down for their supper, but the horses and the cow were very glad to get theirs. Then I milked the cow, told them all good-night, made everything about the barn as snug as I could, and shouldered

ped a good deal like a decanter. It burned soft coal, and, as it was going well, and was warm enough in the room, I threw the door open, making it

le town; that it was very improbable (as the blizzard still held) that

black-and-white cat named Pawsy; one cow named Blossom; two bronco horses, one named Dick, the other Ned; t

unless I could find more about town somewhere; that I ought to be able to 51 scare up enough food fo

of all kinds, and probably

ht be $20,000 in a sa

about who wanted the money, and would come after it t

n one end of the lounge, the cat on the other, put