hin his sleeping-bag. He talked disjointedly and flung
his arms about; and, finally, while yet it was dark, he awoke.

Springing into a sitting posture, he peered about him in the darkness.
Everything came back to his mind with a rush. He remembered his
appointment at sunrise, and he wondered how long he had slept. Again he
crept to the shed door. Again he looked out and finally passed out. Nick
still slumbered heavily.

The fury of the elements was unabated and they buffeted him; but he
looked around and saw the grey daylight illuminating the snow-fog, and
he knew that though sunrise was near it was not yet. He passed around
the hut, groping with his hands upon the building until he came to the
door. Here he paused. He would awake Aim-sa that she might prepare for
her flight with him. There was much to be done. He was about to knock
but altered his mind and tried the latch. It yielded to his touch and
the door swung back.

He did not pause to wonder, although he knew that it was Aim-sa's custom
to secure the door. He passed within, and in a hoarse whisper called out
the name that was so dear to him. There came no answer and he stood
still, his senses tense with excitement. He called again, again. Still
there was no answer. Now he closed the door, which creaked over the snow
covering the sill. He stood listening lest Nick should be moving on the
other side of the wall, and to ascertain if Aim-sa had awakened and was
fearful at the intrusion. But no sound except the rage of the storm came
to him.

His impatience could no longer be restrained; he plunged his hand into
the pocket of his buckskin shirt and drew out a box of matches. A moment
later a light flashed out, and in one sweeping, comprehensive glance
around him he realized the truth. The hut was empty. "Gone, gone," he
muttered, while, in rapid survey, his eyes glanced from one familiar
object to another.

Everything was out of place, there were signs of disorder everywhere;
and the woman was gone.

Suddenly the wind rushed upon the house with wild violence and set
everything in the place a-clatter. He lit the lamp. Then he seemed to
collect himself and went over and felt the stove. It was ice cold. The
blankets were laid out upon the floor in the usual spread of the
daytime. They had not been slept in.

Into his eyes there leapt a strange, wild look. The truth was forcing
itself upon him, and his heart was racked with torment.

"She's gone," he muttered