Jim, you take the bunk over there; and, Mrs.
Burke, you occupy the bed. I'll make up a shake-down here by the stove
and keep the fire going."
Rivers sullenly acquiesced, and Blanche lay down without removing her
outside garments, in the same bed in which she had slept that first
night in this wild land--that beautiful, buoyant spring night. How far
away it all was now!
Rivers heaped blankets upon her and tenderly tucked her in, whispered
good-night, and without a word to Bailey rolled himself in a fur robe and
stretched himself on his creaking, narrow couch.
So, in the darkness, while the storm intensified with shrieking, wild
voices, with whistling roar and fluttering tumult, Bailey gave his whole
thought to the elemental war within. His mind went out first to Burke,
who seemed some way to be the wronged man and chief sufferer, cut off
from help, alone in the cold and snow. By contrast, Rivers seemed
lustful and savage and treacherous.
Such a drama had never before come into Bailey's life. He had read of
somewhat similar cases in the papers, and had passed harsh judgment on
the man and woman.
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