Bussy's--please don't! I hate her. I won't be in
her debt."

This pleading tone puzzled him, but he promised; and, hitching up his
thin, old horses, drove around to the door of the shanty. Blanche came
out, dressed to go with him, but when she felt the edge of the wind she
shrank. Her lips turned blue and she cowered back against the side of
the cabin, holding her shawl like a shield before her bosom. "I can't do
it! It's too cold! I'd freeze to death. You'll have to go alone."

Burke was relieved. "Yes, you'd better stay," he said, and drove off.

Blanche crept back into the shanty and bent above the stove, shivering
violently. She drew a long breath now and then like a grieving child.
Life was over for her. She had reached the point where nothing mattered.
She sat there until the sound of bells aroused her. "It's Jim!" she
called, and rose to her feet, her face radiant with relief. Rivers came
rushing up to the door in a two-horse sleigh and leaped out with a shout
of greeting, though he could not see her at the frosted window.

A moment later he burst in, vigorous, smiling, defiant of the cold.

"Hello! All alone? How are you?"

A quick warmth ran through her chilled limbs, and she lifted her hands
to him.

"Oh, Jim, I'm so glad you came!"

"Keep away--I'm all snow," he warningly called, as he threw off his cap
and buffalo coat. "Now come to me," he said, and took her in his arms.
"How are you, sweetheart? I can't kiss you--my mustache is all ice.
Where's Burke?"

"Gone to Craig's."

He winked jovially while pulling the icicles from his long mustache.

"I thought I saw him driving across the ridge. I was on my way to the
store, but when I saw his old rack-a-bone team I turned off to see you.
How are you?" he asked, tenderly, and his voice swept away all her
reserve.

"Oh, Jim, I'm not well. You must take me away, _right off_. I can't stay
here another day--_not a day_."

He looked at her keenly.

"Why? What's the matter?"

She evaded his eyes.

"It's so lonesome here--" Then she dropped all evasion: "You know
why--Jim, take me away. I can't live without you _now_. I'm going to be
sick."

He understood her very well. His eyes fell and his face knotted in
sudden gravity. "I was afraid of that--that's why I came. Yes, you must
get out of here at once."

She understood him. "Oh, Jim, you won't leave me now, will you?"

"No. I didn't say anything about leaving you." He put his arm around
her. "I