"
Jake Cornell straightened up and cleared his throat inanely, and the
Virgin looked over-dignified; but Blanche came over and took the towel
out of Frona's hands.
"I wet my feet in the same place," she said, kneeling down and bringing
a glow to the frosted feet.
"I suppose you can manage some sort of a fit with them. Here!" Vance
tossed over the house-moccasins and woollen wrappings, which the two
women, with low laughs and confidential undertones, proceeded to
utilize.
"But what in the world were you doing on trail, alone, at this time of
night?" Vance asked. In his heart he was marvelling at the coolness
and pluck with which she was carrying off the situation.
"I know beforehand that you will censure me," she replied, helping
Blanche arrange the wet gear over the fire. "I was at Mrs. Stanton's;
but first, you must know, Miss Mortimer and I are staying at the
Pently's for a week. Now, to start fresh again. I intended to leave
Mrs. Stanton's before dark; but her baby got into the kerosene, her
husband had gone down to Dawson, and--well, we weren't sure of the baby
up to half an hour ago. She wouldn't hear of me returning alone; but
there was nothing to fear; only I had not expected soft ice in such a
snap."
"How'd you fix the kid?" Del asked, intent on keeping the talk going
now that it had started.
"Chewing tobacco.
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