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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 1915)
THE FORESTER'S DAUGHTER A Romance of the Bear Tooth Range By HAMLIN GARLAND Copyright, 19M, by Hamlin darfaad She confronted blm with gravity, "it's too late for you to cross tlie ridge. "I told him I wouldn't stand for hit ooarss ways, and I won't 1" It'll be (lurk long before you reach fho cut-olT. You'd butter not try to uinke 1U" "I think 1 can und ruy way," he. an swered, touched by bur consideration. "I'm not so helpless as I wna when I came." "JuHt the same you mustn't go on," hIio Insisted. "I'iilluT toM mo to ask you to come lu and stay all night Ue wnnta to meet you. I was afraid you might rldo by after what happened to day, ntid to 1 caine up here to bead you off." She took hU borao by the relit and flashed a mulling glance up at hliu. "Couie, now, do an tbu super visor lulls you." ! "Walt a monieut," be pluaded. "Ou aecend thought I don't believe It's a good thing for me to go home with you. It will only make further trouble for for u both." "I know what you niesa. ' I saw ('MIT follow you. lie Jumped you, didn't hoT "lie overtook me, yea." "What did be say?" He hesitated. "Ho was prelty hot end said things he'll be aorry for wbeu bo coola off,'' "Ho told yon not to come bore any iimro-ad vised you to hit the outgoing trall-dldu't he?" Ho flushed with returning shame of It all, but ntiletly nnswered, "Yes, be ald something about riding east." "Are you going to do It?" "Not today, but I guess I'd better keep away from here." She looked at blm steadily. "Why?" "Became you've been very kind to me, nud I wouldn't for (he world do iiuythlng to hurt or embarrass you," "Don't yon mind about me," she ro (tpnuded bluntly. "What happened this miming wasn't your fault nor mine. I'oinej father will be looking for you." With feeling that ho was Involving both the girl and himself In Mill dark er storms, the young fellow yielded to her command, nud together they walk ed along the weed bordered path, while she continued: "Thu Isn't Hie first time CHIT has marled Ui to discipline me, but It's obliged to be the last. He's the kind (hat Ihlnk they own a girl Just as soon s they get her to weur an engagement ring. t rilft" clout own ine. 1 told Mm I wouldn't aland for his coarse ways, nud I won't!" Waylaud tried to bring her back to humor. "You're a kind of 'new wo man.' ' Hie turned a stern look' on hlui. "Vou bet 1 am! was raised a free WilKrti. No mini cut make a slavo of 'me. I thought be understood tliut. but It seems he didn't. He'a all light lu many ways-one of the best rider lu Hie country hut he's pretty tolerable domineering." Mr. Mel'arlmie greeted Notvrosa with cordial word and earnest hand clasp. "I'm glad to let you looking well," alio aald, with charming slueor tly. Tin browner anyway," he answered, and luiiied to meet alcFartan, a ohori, black bearded man with line dark ryes and shapely hand -hand (hat bad never doue anything more toilsome thau to lift a bridle ruin or to ' m -if clutch the handle of a gun. be was the horseman In all bU training, and. though be owned hundreds of acres of land, be bad never so much as held a plow or plied a spade. His manner was that of the cow boss, the lord of great herds, the claimant of empires of government grass land. Poor as bis bouse looked, be was In reality rich. Narrow minded In respect to his own Interests, be was well In advance of bis neighbors on matters relutlng to the general welfare, a curious mixture of greed and generosity, as most men are, and. though he bad been made supervisor at a time when political pull still crippled the service, he was loyal to the flag. "I'm mighty glad to see you," be heartily began. "We don't often get a man from the sea level, and when we do we squeeze blm dry." His voice, low, languid and soft, was most Insinuating, and for hours ho kept bis guest talking of the east and Its industries' and prejudices, and Ber- rle and her mother listened with deep admiration, for the youngster had seen a good deal of the old world and was unusually well read on historical lines of Inquiry. He tulked well, too, In spired by bis attentive audience. Berrle's eyes, wide and eager, were fixed upon hlm.unwaverlogly. He felt her wonder, her admiration, and was Inspired to do his best Something In her absorbed attention led him to speak of things so personal that be wonder ed at himself for uttering them. "I've been dilettante all my life," was one of bis confessions. "I've trav eled; I've studied in a tepid sort of fashion; I went through college with out any idea of doing anything with what I got; I had a sort of pride in keeping up with my fellows, and I bad no ldeaof preparing for any work In tho world. Then came my breakdown and my doctor ordered mo out here. I came Intending to fish and loaf around, but I cau't do thut. I've got to do something or go back home." At lust Mrs. McFarlane rose and Hurea, reluctantly, like a child loath to miss a fairy story, held out her hand to say good night, and tho young man saw ou her face that look of adoration which marks the birth of sudden love, but bis voice was frank and his glance kindly as be said:- "Here I've done all tho talking when I wanted you to tell me all sorts of things." "I cau't tell you anything." "Oh, yeB, you can; and, besides, I want you to Intercede for me with your father and get me Into the service. Hut we'll talk ubout that tomorrow. Jood night." After the women left tho room Nor emus said: "I really am In earnest about enter ing the forest survlce. Landon filled me with enthusiasm about It Never mind the pay. I'm not In Immediate uued of money, but I do need an Inter est In life." McFarlane stared at him with kindly perplexity. "I don't know exactly what you can do, but I'll work you lu somehow. You ought to work under a man like Settle, one that could put you through a training In the rudiments of the game. I'll sue what can bo done." "Thank you for that half promise," said Waylnnd, and he went to his bed happier than at any moment since leaving home. Young Nnrcross soon became vitally engaged with the problems which con fronted McKurlane, and his possible enrollment us a guard Ullcd him with a sense of proprietorship lu the forest, which mado blm quite content with Hear Toothy lie set to work nt once to acquire a belter knowledge of the extent and boundaries of the reserva tion. It was, Indeed, a noble posses sion. Containing nearly 800,000 acres of woodland and reaching to the sum mits of the snow lined peaks to the east, south and west, It appealed to him with silent majesty. It drew upou bis patriotism. Itememberlng bow the timber of his own stale had been slash ed and burned, be began to feel a sense of personal responsibility. He bought a horso of his own, al though Ilcrrlo insisted upon his retain ing Pcto, and sent for a Middle of tho army type, and from sheer desire to keep entirely clear of tho cowboy equipment procured puttees like those worn by cavalry ollleers, and when be presented himself completely uniform ed, he looked not uullke a slender young lieutenant of the cavalry on Held duty, mid In llerrle's eyes was won drous alluring. He took quarters at tho hotel, but Hnt a larger part of each day In Uor rlo's company, a fai t which was duly reKirted to Clifford Hidden. Hardly a diy passed without his taking at least one meal at tho supervisor's homo. As he met the rangers one by ono ho pen-ilved by their oulllts, as well us by their speech, that they were sharp ly divided upon old lines mid new. The experts, tho men of college training, were quite ready to bo known as l' ti de Sam's men. They held n pride In their duties, a respect for their supe riors, nud an understanding of the gov ernmental H)lley whleh gave them dig nity and a quiet authority. They were less policemen than trusted agents of a federal doimrluioiiL Nevertheless, there was much to admire lu the older meu, w ho Hssesscd u self reliance, n knowl edge of nature and a certain rough grace which made them liiterestlun eompaulous and rendered them effective teachers of cumplng and trailing, nud while they were secretly a little con temptuous of tho "schoolboys," they were all quite ready to ask for expert aid when knotty problems arose. It was no longer a question of grtulug. It was a question of lumbering and reforestation. Nash, who took an almost brotherly Interest lu Ids appreutleo, warnlitgly THE SALEM DAILY CAPITAL said: "You want to go well clothed and well shod. You'll have to meet all kinds of weather. Every man in the service I don't care what hfs technical Job la should be schooled in taking care of himself in the forest and on the trail. I often meet surveyors and civil engineers, experts, wbe are help less as children lu camp, and whea I want them to go Into the hills and do Held work they are almost useless. The old style ranger has bis virtues. Settle Is Just the kind of instructor yoa young fellows need. ' . Berrle also bad keen eyes for his outnt and bis training, und under bcr direction be learned to pack a horse, set a tent, build a fire in the rain and other duties. you want to remember that you carry your bed and board with you," she said, "and you must be prepared to camp anywhere and at any time.' The girl's skill in these particulars was marvelous to blm and added to tho admiration be already felt for her. Her hand was as deft, as sure, as the best of them, and her knowledge of cayuse psychology more profound than any of the men excepting her father. One day toward the end of his sec ond week In the village the supervisor said: "Well, now, If you're ready to experiment 1 11 send you over to Settle, tue ranger, on the Horseshoe. lie s a little lame on his pen hand side, and you may be able to help him out May be I'll ride over there with you. I want to line out some timber sales on the west side of rtarmlgnn." This commission delighted Norcross greatly. "I'm ready, sir, this moment," be answered, saluting soldlcr-wlse. The next morning as be rodo down to tbo olllce to meet the supervisor he was surprised and delighted to And Derea there. "I'm riding too," she an nounced delightedly. "I've never been over that new trail, and father has agreed to let me go along." Then she added earnestly: "I tblnk It's One you're going in for the service, but it's bard work, nud you must be careful till you're hardened to it. It's a long way to a doctor from Settle's station." , He was annoyed as well as touched by her warning, for It proclaimed that he was still far from looking the brave1 forester be felt himself to be. He re plied. "I'm nol going to try anything wild, but I do intend to master the trailer's craft" "I'll teach you bow to camp if you'll let me," she continued. "I've been on lota of surveys with father, and I al ways take my shure of the work. I threw that hitch alone." She nodded toward the pack borso, whose neat loud 'gave evidence of her skill. "I told futber this was to bo a real camp ing expedition, and as the grouse sea son Is on we'll live on the country. Can you flsb?" "Just about that," he laughed. uouu niing you uiun c bsk me tr i could catch fish." He was recovering his spirits. "It will bo great fun to have you as Instructor in camp sci ence. I seem to be In for all kinds of good luck." They both grew uneasy as time passed for fear something or somo one would Intervene to prevent this trip, which grew In Interest each moment, but at last the supervisor came out and mounted his horse, the pack po nies, fell lu behind, Berrle followed, and the student of woodcraft brought up the rear. CHAPTER VI. In Camp, F OR several miles they rode up ward through golden forests of aspens. On either hand rose thick walls of snow whito boles, and lu the mystic glow of their gilded leaves the fuco of the girl shone with unearthly beauty. - Twice she stopped to gnae Into Way laud's face to say, with hushed In tensity: "Isn't it wonderful? Don't you wish It would last forever?" Her words were poor, Ineffectual, but her look, her breathless voice, made up for their lack of originality. Once slio said: "I never bow it so lovely before, It is an enchanted land!" with no suspicion that the larger part of ber ecstasy arose from tho preseuco of ber youug and sym pathetic companion. lie, too, respond ed to the beauty of the day, of tho golden forest as ono who had tukeu new hold on life after long illness. Meanwhile tho supervisor was calm ly leading tho way upward, vaguely conscious of the magical air and mys tic landscape In which his young folk floated as If on wings, thinking busily of the Improvements which were still uecessui-y lu the trull and weighing with cure tho clouds which still lin gered upon the tallest summits, as If debating whether to go or to slay. He had never been an imaginative soul, and now that ago had Bomewhat dim med bis eyes and blunted his senses be was placidly content with his path. Tho rapture of tbo lover, tho aong of tho poet, bad long since abandoned his hcurt And yet be was not com pletely oblivious. To him It was a nice day, but a "weather breeder. " "1 wonder If I Bbatl ever rldo through this uiouutnlu world as unmoved as he seems to be?" Norcross asked himself after some Jarring prosaic remark from his chief. "I am glad Herrlo responds to It." At last tbey left these lower, won drous forest n Isles and entered tho un broken cloak of lira whoso dark and silent deeps had a ateru beauty all their owu. The horses begun to labor with roar lug breath. A doaeu times lie thought, "We must be nearly at the top," and then other and far higher ridges sud denly developed. Occasionally the su pervisor was forced to uusllng an as and chop til way through a fallen tree, and each time tho student hur JOURNAL, SALEM, ORfe SATURDAY, OCT. 9, 1915. ried to the spot, ready to aid, but was quite useless.. "One Of the first esaeotlals of a ran ger's training la to learn to swing an ax," remarked McFarlane, "and yon sever want to be without a real tool. I won't 'stand for a hatchet ranger." The sky was overshadowed now and a tbln drizzle of rain filled the air. The novice hastened to throw bis raincoat over bls.sliouldors, but McFarlane rode steadily pn, clud only in bis shirt sleeves, unmindful of the wet Bcrrie, however, approved Waylnnd's caution. "That's right; keep dry," she called back, "Don't pay attention to father, he'd rather get soaked any day than unroll bis slicker. You mustn't take him for a model yet awhile." He no longer resented ber sweet so licitude, although he considered him self unentitled to It, and he rejoiced under the shelter of his fine new coat He began to perceive that one could be defended against a storm. After passing two depressing marsh es, they came to a hillside so steep, so slippery, so dark, so forbidding, that one of tho pack horses balked, shook his bead and reared furiously, ns If to say, "I can't do it, and I won't try." And Wayland sympathized with him. The forest was gloomy and cold and apparently endless. After coaxing him for a time with ad mirable gentleness, the supervisor, at Berrle's suggestion, shifted part of the load to her own saddle horse, and tbey went ou. Waylnnd, though Incapable of com ment so great was the demand upon his lungs, was not too tired to admire the power and resolution of the girl, who seemed not to suffer any special Inconvenience from the rarefied air. Tho dryness of his open moutb, the throbbing of bis troubled pulse, the roaring of his breath, brought to him with Increasing dismay the fact that lie had overlooked another phase of "Don't you wish it would last forsvar?" tho ranger's Job. "I couldn't chop a bole through one of these windfalls in a week," he admitted, as McFnrlane's hlado again liberated them from a fall en tree. He was beginning to be hungry also ho bad eaten a very early breakfast and he fell to wondering Just where and when they were to camp, but ho endured in silence. "So long as Berrle makes no complaint my mouth Is shut," he told himself. " "Surely I can stand It if she can." And so strug gled ou. Up and up the pathway looped, crossing minute little boggy meadows on whoso bottomless ooze the grass shook liko a blanket, descending ra vines and climbing back to dark and muddy slopes. Tho forest was drip ping, green and silent now a myste rious menacing Jungle. "I'm glad I'm not riding this pass alone," Wayland Bald as they paused again for breath. "So am I," she answered, but ber thought was not his. She was happy at tho prospect of teaching blm how to camp. At last they reached the ragged edge of timber line, and there, rolling away under tho mist, lay tbe bare, grassy, upward climbing naked neck of the great peak. Tbe wind had grown keener moment by moment, aud when they left tho storm twisted pines be low its breath had a wintry nip. The rain bad Ceased to fall, but tho clouds mill hung densely to tbe loftiest sum mits. It was a sinister yet beautiful world-a world us silent as a dreum, aud through tho short, thick grass the slender null ruu like a timid serpent. "Now ne're on the divide." cul.od Ilerca, and as she spoko they seemed to enter upou u boundless Alpine pluiu of velvet russet grass. "This U the Hear Tooth plateau." Low monuments of loose rock stood ou small ledges, us IhoHgh to mark the course, and in tbo hollows dark ponds of Icy water luy, half surrounded by masses of compact snow, "This Is a stonny' place in winter," McFarlane explained. "These plies of stone uro mighty valuable In a bill iard. I'vo crossed this divide in Au gust in snow so thick I could not see a rod." Half an hour Inter they began to de scend. Wind twisted, storm bleached dwarf pines were flrat to show, then the mis, then the blue green spruce, and then the sheltering deeps of tbe undespolled forest opened, aud the roar o7 a splencid stream' was beard. - But till the supervisor kept his resolute way, making no promises as to dinner, though his daughter called: "We'd bet ter go Into camp at Beaver lake I hope yWre not atarved." she called to Wayland. "But I am," he replied so frankly that she never knew how faint be real ly was. His knees were trembling with weakness, and he stumbled dangerous ly as be trod the loose rocks in tbe path. They were all afoot now descending swiftly, and tho horses romped down the trail with expectant haste, so that In less than an hour from timber line they were back Into the sunshine of the lower valley, nud at 3 o'clock or thereabouts they enme ont upon the bank of an exquisite lake, and with a cheery shout McFarlane called out "Here we are. out of the wilderness:" Then to Waylnnd, "Well, boy, how did you stand It?" "Just middling." replied Wayland, reticent from wenrlness and with Joy of their enmplug place. With businesslike certitude Berrle unsaddled her horse, turned him loose and lent a skillful band at removing the panniers from tbe pack animals, while Waylnnd. willing, but a little un certain, Btood awkwardly about Un der ber instruction be collected dead branches of a standing Br, and from these a few cones kindled a blaze, while the supervisor hobbled the horses and set the tent. One by one the principles of camping were taught by the kindly old rancher, but the bints which the girl gnve were quite as vnlunblc. for Wayland was eager to show ber that be could be and Intended to be a forester of tbe flrBt class or perish In the nttempt McFnrlune went further and talked freely of the forest and what it meant to the government. "We're all green at tbe work," be sold, "and we old chaps are only holding the fort against the thieves till yon youngsters learn bow to make tbe best use of the do main." Berrle was glowing with happiness. "Let's stay here till the end of the week," she suggested. "I've always wanted to camp on this lake, and now I'm hero I want time to enjoy It" "We'll stay a day or two," said her father, "but 1 must get over to that ditch survey which is being made at the bead of Poplar, and then Moore is coming over to look ut some timber on Porcupine." The young people cut willow rods and went nngllng at tbe outlet of Ibe hike with prodigious success. Tho wa ter rippled with trout, and In half an hour they had nil they could use for supper and breakfast, and, behold, even as they were returning with their spoil they met a covey of grouse strolling leisurely down to the lake's edge. "Isn't it a wonderful place?" exclaimed the happy girl. "I wish we could stay n month." "It's like being on tbe Swiss Family Robinson's Island. I never was more content." he snld fervently. "1 wouldn't mind staying here all win ter." "I wouldT' she laughed. "The snow falls four feet deep up here. It's like ly there's snow on the divide this mln uto, aud camping lu tbe snow Isn't so funny. Some people got snowed In over at Deep lake last year, and near ly all therr horses starved before tbey could get them out This is a fierce old place in winter time." As tbe sunset came on tbe young people again loitered down to the wa ter's edge, and there, seated side by siue on a rocky knoll, watched the phantom gold lift from the willows and climb slowly to the cliffs above, while tbe water deepened in Bhadow and busy muskrats marked its glossy surface with long silvery lines. Mis chievous camp birds peered at the couple from the brunches of the pines, uttering satirical comment while squirrels, frankly Insolent, dropped cones upon their beads and barked in saucy glee. Wayland forgot all the outside world, forgot that he was studying to be a forest ranger, and was alive only to tbe fact that in this most bewitching plueo, in this most entrancing hour, be had the companionship of a girl whose eyes sought his with every new phase 4( (... Stated Side by Sid en a Rocky Knoll. of the silent aud wonderful scene which I KMki m n shifted before their eyes like noise less yet prodigious drama. At last the girl rose. "It la getting dart I moat go back and get upper-" .". " .' -. ... . - "We don't need any supper," he pro tested. ' ' ' . "Father does, and you'll be hungry before morning," she retorted, with sure knowledge of men. He turned from tbe scene reluctant ly, but once at the campflre cheerfully gave bis best efforts to the work in band, seconding Berrle's skill as best he could. Tbe trout deliclously crisp, and some potatoes and batter cakes made a meal that tempted even bis faint appetite, and when the dishes were washed and the towels hung out to dry deep night possessed even the blgb summit of stately Ptarmigan. McFarlane then said, "I'll Just take a llttlo turn to see that the horses are all right and then I think we'd better close in for tbe night" When tbey were alone In the light of the Are Wayland turned to Berrle: I'm glad you're here. It must be awesome to camp, alone In a wilder ness, and yet, I suppose, 1 must learn to do it" "Yes, the ranger often has to camp alone, ride alone and work alone for weeks at a time," she assured him. "A good trailer don't mind a night trip any more than he does a day trip, or if be does he never admits it Rain, snow, darkness, are all the same to him. Most of the boys are fifteen to forty miles from the postofflee." He smiled ruefully. "1 begin to have new doubts about this ranger business. Ifs a little more vigorous than 1 thought it was. Suppose a fellow breaks a leg on one of those blgb trails?" "He mustn't!" she hastened to say. "He can't afford really to take reckless chances; but, then, father won't expect as much of you as be does of tbe old stagers. You'll have plenty of time to get used to it." McFarlane upon bis return gave some advice relating to the care of horses. "All this Btock which Is ac customed to a barn or a pasture will quit you," be warned. "Watch your bronchos. Put tbem on the outward side of your camp when you bed down and pitch your tent near the trail, then you will bear tbe brutes if they start back. Some men tie their stock all up, but I usually picket my saddle horse and hobble the rest" It was a delightful hour for school big, and Wayland would have been content to sit there till morning listen ing, but the air bit and at Inst the supervisor asked: "Have you made your bed? If you have turn In. I shall get you out early tomorrow." As he saw the bed bo added: "I see you've laid out a bed of boughs. That shows how eastern you are. We don't do that out here. It's too cold In this climate, and it's too much work. You want to hug the ground if it's dry." The weary youth went to his couch with a sense of timorous elation, for be never before slept beneath the open sky. After the supervisor bad rolled him self In tbe blanket, long after all sounds had ceased in the tent there still remained for the youth a score of manifold excitations to wakefulness till at last he fell into an uneasy drowse. " CHAPTER VII. Storm Bound. WAYLAND was awakened by the mellow voice of bis chief call ing: "All out! All outl Day light down the creek!" Then, breathing a prayer of thankfulness, the boy sat up and looked about him "The loug night Is over at last, and I am alive," be said and congratulated him self. now did you sleep?" asked tbe su pervlsor. "First rateat least during tbe latter pare or the night," Wayland briskly ueu. Thats good. I was afraid that Ad irondack bed of yours might let tbe wnire woir in." "My blankets did seem a trifle thin," i-ouiessea Norcross. "It doesn't pay to sleep cold," the su- .xidui eni on. "a man wants to watte up refreshed, not tired out with fighting the night wind and frost I always carry a good bed." It was Instructive to see how quietly and methodically the old mountaineer went about bis task of getting break fast First be cut and laid a couple of eight Inch logs on either side of the fire, so that tho wind drew through them properly; then, placing the Dutch oven cover on the fire, be laid the bot tom part where the flames touched it Next be filled bis coffeepot with water and set it on the coals. From his pan nier be took bis dishes and the flour and salt and pepper, arranging them all within reach, and at last laid some slices of bacon In the skillet At this stage of the work a smoth ered cry. half yawn, half complaint, came from tbe tent "Oh, huml I. it morning?" inquired Berrle: Morning," replied her father, going toward noon. You get you'll hare no broukfnst "It's up or Thereupon Wayland called: "Can I get you anything. Miss Berrle? Would you liko some warm water?" "What for?" Interposed McFarlane before the girl could reply. . "To bathe In," replied the youth. To batbe In! If .la,,,,!..,,, , i'!LB tor warla w'er to wash "u i a mrow Ucr in the creek " Bcrrie chuckled. daddy has no feeling for me. I reckon be thinks I'm a boy." "Hot Wstnr U hni, , uimiiung ana very "i colI!I,,,'t,on.,, Ported to rumor. "! colJ . HTftr.1-"? " yU. d0Q,t 801 out o" th m five mluutea Mi dn. dlpperful." " ,uu Wlin This reminded WaTbnTtThTTT not yet made bis own toilet. ani ta aoop. towel and brushy, he h ried away down the beach. whL came face to face with the dawa n Plendor of it smote bin, fulling eyes. From the waveless surfaced the wuter a spectral mist was rist?. light veil, through which tt, " dous cliffs loomed 3.000 feet In hX. darkly shadowed, dim and far willows along the western marBe bnV ed as if dipped In liquid cold tho lofty crags the sun ated keen edged shadows, violet a'sinT Truly this forestry business wa, on hml nttor nit i i... . .. 00 saUoni ""-.-cmpe,. Back at the criinptlrc he found Bern, at work, glowing, vigorous, lua Her comradmhip with ber rathe? w. very charming, and nt the moment sh! was rallying him on bis method of bread mixing. 'You should rub th lard into the flour." she said. "Don"! be afraid to get your hands into it after they are clean. You can't mlr bread with a spoon." "Sis. I made camp bread for twentr years ufore you were bom." "It's a wonder you lived to tell of it she retorted, and took the pon awar from him. "That's another thing voa must learn," she said to Wayland, "Yon must know how to make bread. You enn't expect to find bakeshops or ranchers along the way." In the beat of the fire. In the charm of the gill's presence, the young man. forgot the discomforts of the night, and, as they sat at breakfast and the sun rlsuig over the high summits flood ed them with warmth and good cheer and the frost melted like magic from tho tent,- the experience had all tie satisfying elements of a picnic. It seemed that nothing remained to do. But McFarlane said, "Well, now yoa youngsters wash up and pack while I reconnoiter the stock." And with his saddle and bridle on his shoulder he went away down the trail. Under ' Berrle's direction Wayland worked busily putting the camp equip ment in proper parcels, taking no spe cial thought of time till the tent was down and folded, the panniers filled and closed and tbe fire carefully cover ed. Then tbe girl said: "I hope ths horses haven't been stampeded. There are bears In this valley, and horses ars afraid of bears. Father ought to have been bnck before this. I hope they haven't quit us." "Shall I go und see?" "No, he'll bring 'em If they're In the land of 'the living. He picketed his saddle horse, so he's not afoot No body can tench blm anything about trailing horses, and, besides, you might get lost You'd better keep close to camp." Thereupon Wayland put aside all re sponsibility. "Let's see If we can catch some more fish," , he urged. To this she agreed, and together they went again to tbe ontlet of the lake, where tbe trout could be seen darting to and fro on the clear, dark flood, and there cast their flies till tbey bad se cured ten good sized fish. "We'll stop now," -declared the girl. "I don't believe In being wasteful." Once more at the camp tbey pre pared tbe flsh for the pan. As they were unpacking the panniers and getting out the dishes for their meal thunder broke from the high crags above tbe lake, and tbe girl call ed out: "Quick! It's' going' to rain! W must reset tile tent and get things un der cover." Once more be was put to shame by the decision, the skill and tbe strength with which she weut about re-estab-llshbig tbe dump. She led, he followed In every action. In teu minutes the canvas was up, the beds rolled, ths panniers protected, the food stored safely. But they were none too soon, for the thick gray veil of rain which bad clothed the loftiest crags for half an hour swung out over the water, leaden gray under its folds, and with a roar which began in tbe tall pines. a roar which deepened, hushed only when the thunder crashed resounding ly from crag to crest tbe tempest fell upon the camp and tbe world of sua and odorous pine vanished almost in stantly, and a dark, threatening and forbidding world took its place. But the young people, huddled close together beneath tho tent, would have enjoyed the change had it not been for the thought of the supervisor. "I hope be took bis slicker," tbe girl said be tween the tearing, ripping flashes of the lightning. "It's raining bard op there." "How quickly it came. Who would have thought it could rota like this after so beautiful a morning?" "It storms when . It storms in ths mountains," she responded with the sententious air of ber father, "to" never can toll what the sky is going to do up here. It is probnbly snowing on the high divide. Looks now though those cayuses pulled out some time in the night and buvo bit the trail for home. That's the trouble with stall fed stock. They'll quit you any time they feol cold and hungry. Here come the hall!" she shouted as a sharper, more spiteful roar sounded far away and approaching. "Xow keep fro . under!" (Continued next Saturday.) OurWant'Adsare tlx?yarebouncltobni? Results vou want Try Ot?g laMorroW