Ralph Stock

“ The wind dropped, and a pale moon, struggling intermittently through the dispersing cloud rack, shed a sickly brilliance over the interminable snow.
Sprague stood at the open door, heedless of the cold. For the hundredth time he told himself that he had followed the only path of a strong man, but, then, he knew that he was not a strong man. ”

“ The hotel was asleep when they came to a steaming halt, but the night porter came out to them, and others were soon astir. The land agent sat huddled in a deep leather chair as far from the fire as it had been possible to wheel him: but the warmth of the hall had taken effect, and when a doctor came he was sleeping soundly. ”