He had stolen the beans and the potatoes and had slipped them into the Tatman cabin when they were asleep.

Why?
Because he wanted to save the woman from hunger! Yes, he lied, Fingers.
He lied because he loved the wife that belonged to another man--lied because in him there was a heart as true as any heart God ever made.

He lied! And his lie was a splendid thing.

He went out into that blizzard, strengthened by a love that was greater than his fear of death, and the camp never heard of him again.

Tatman and his wife returned to their cabin and lived.