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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 1915)
J i I THE SALEM DAILY CAPITAL JOURNAL, SALEM, ORE., SATURDAY, OCT. 23. 1915. THE FORESTER'S DAUGHTER A Romance of the Bear Tooth Range By HAMLIN GARLAND Copyright, 1914, by Manilla Garland "You're Smith girl," he abruptly assorted. "What makes yon think go?" "Oh, there's something about you Hmllh girls that given you dead away." "Gives us away? I like that!" "My phrnso wus unfortunate. I like Smith girls," he hastened to say. In five minutes they were on the friendliest terms talking of mutual acquaintances a fact which both puz zled and hurt Berea. Their laughter angered her, and whenever she glnno ed at them und detected Slonn looking Into Wayland's face with coquettish hlmper slio was embittered. She was glad when Moore came In and Inter rupted the dialogue. Not-cross did out relax, though be considered tbo dangers of cross exam ination u I moat entirely passed. In this lie was mistaken, for uo sooner was the keen edge of Mrs, Belden's hunger dulled than her curiosity Nhurpcned. "Where did you say the supervisor wan?" she repeated. ' "The horses got away, and he bad to go buck after them," again responded Iterrle, who found the scrutiny of the oilier girl deeply disconcerting. "When do you expect him hack?' "Any uitmite now," she replied, and In (his she was not deceiving them, al though she did not Intend to volunteer any Information which might embar rass either Wayluud or herself. Norcross tried to create a diversion. "Isn't this a charming valley?" Slonn took up the cue. "Isn't It? It's romantic enough to be the back drop lu a Itret Unite play, I love It I" (.........I nr.. !., ...I it WIMiriV 1.111 ll,T III ITUJinUU. A UIIVW a Norcross, a Michigan lumberman,! vice president of the association. Is lie by any chuuee a' relative?" j "Only a father," retorted Waylnnd, with a smile. "Hut don't hold mo re- upouslblo for anything he bus done. We seldom agree" Moore's manner changed abruptly. "Indeed! And what Is the son of W. W. Norcross doing out bore In the for est service?" Tho change In tier father's tone was i not lost upou Slonn, who ceasotl her hauler and studied the young man with deeper Interest, while Mrs. Iteldcn, de lecting some restraint lu Uerrlo's tone, renewed her questioning, "Where did you camp lust night?" "Might here." "I don't oo bow tho horses got away. There's a pasture hero, for we rode right through It." ' Iterrle wus aware that each moment of delay In explaining the situation looked like evasion and deepened the Klgnlllcance of her predicament, and .vet ahe could not bring herself to the task of minutely accounting for bor time during the last two days. lielden came to her relief. "Well, well, we'll have to be moving on. We're going Into camp at the mouth of tho wost fork," he said as he roso. "Tell Tony nud tho supervisor that we want to line out that timber at the ear liest possible moment." Slonu, who was now distinctly co quetting with Waylnnd, held out her hand, "I hope you'll llnd time to come up and sec us. I know we have other mutual friends If we had time to get at tky'tif." Ills answer was humorous. "I am a soldier. I am on duty. I'm not nt nil hui'e (hut I shall have a mometit's leave, hut I will call If I can possibly lo so " They started otT at last without hav ing learned In detail anything of the Intlntntc relationship Into which the impervlsor's daughter and young Nor cross had been thrown, and Mrs. Bel deu was still so uitifli lu the dark that the called to Iterrle: "I'm going to MMid word to OUT that you are over here. He'll he craay to cxuuo the min ute he tlnds It out." "iHin't do that!" protested Iterrle. Wayland turned to Iterrle, "That would Ive pleasant." lie said smilingly. Itut she did not return his smile. On (lie contrary, ahe remained very grave. "I wish thut old talebearer had kept nway. She's going to make trouble for us nil. And that girl, Isn't she a Mieolarle? I never cvuld bear her." "Why, what' wrong with her? She hoenia a very nice, sprightly person." "Klip's regular play actor. I don't like mndeiip people. Why doea she go around wltlt her sleeves rolled up that wa.v and-aiid hor dress open nt the throat V "Oh, those are the affectations of the moment. She wants to look tough and boisterous. That' the fad with nl the girls just now. Its only Iri nn less piece of toolllinoiui." She could not tell htm how deeply alio reaouted his ready lone of camara derie with the other girl, but the was nocretly suffering. It hurt her to thin thai lie could forget his aches aud be an five and easjr wdth stranger at a moment's noflce. "Under the influence of that girl's smile he seemed to bare quite forgotten bis exhaustion and his pain. It waa wonderful how cheerful be had been while abe was In sight In all this Berrie did blm an injus tice. He had been keenly conscious, daring every moment of the time, not only of bis bodily Hla, hut of Berrie, and be had kept a brave face In order that he might prevent .further ques tioning on the part of a malicious girl. It was his only way of being heroic. Now that the crisis was passed be was julte aa much of a wreck as ever. CHAPTER X. Further Perplaxitiaa. ' PERCEIVING Wayland's return ing weakness, Berea Insisted on bis lying down again while she set to work preparing dinner. "There Is no telling when father will get here," abe said. "And Tony will be hungry when be comes. Lie down and rest" i lie obeyed her silently and, going to the bunk, at once fell asleep. How long be slept be could not tell, but he was awakened by the voice of the ranger, who was standing in the door way and regarding Berrie with a round eyed stare. lie was a tall, awkward fellow of about thlrty-Sve, plainly of the fron tier type, but a man of Intelligence. At the end of a brief explanation Ber rie said, with an air of authority: "Now you'd better ride up the trail and bring our camp outfit down. We can't go back that woy anyhow." The ranger glanced toward Wayland. "All right, Miss Berrie, but perhaps your tenderfoot needs a doctor." Wuylund rose painfully, but resolute ly. "Oh, no, I am not sick. I'm a lit- Tht Suparvlaar Waved His Hand. tie lame, that's ull. I'll go along with you." "No,"suld Berrlo decisively. "You're nut well enough for thut. Gut up your horses, Tony, and by that time I'll have some dinner ready." "All right, Miss Berrie," replied the man and turned away. Hardly bad be crossed the bridge on his way to the pasture when Berrie cried out, "There comes daddy." Waylnnd Joined hor ut the door and stood beside her watching the super visor as ho came algmigglng down the steep bill to the east Willi nil his horses trailing, lichlud blm roped to gether head to tall. "He's hud to come round by Lost lake," she exelalmed. "He'll be tired out and absolutely starved. Wuhool" she slioiited lu greeting, aud the su pervisor waved his hand. There was something superb In the calm sent of the veteran ns he slid down the slope. He kept bis place In the saddle with the air of the rider to whom hunger, fatigue, windfalls ami Miinwslldes were nil a part of tho day's work, nud when he reined lu he fore tho door and droped from his horse ho put his arm about bis daugh ter's neck with quiet word: "I thought I'd llnd you here. How Is everything?" "All right, daddy. But what about you? Where have you been?" "Clean buck to Mill mrk. The Mamed rnyuses kept Just ahead of me all the way," "Poor old dadl Aud on top of that came the snow." "Yes, and a whole hatful. I couldn't get buck over the high pass. Had to go round by Lost lake, and, to cup all, Old Uuldy took a notion not to lead. Oh, I've had n peueh of a time, but here 1 am. Have you seen Moore and his party?" "Yes, they're In camp up the trail. Ilu and Alec Meldcti aud two women. Are you huugry?' He turued a comical glance upou her "Am I hungry? Sister, I am a wolf. Norcross, take uiy horses dowu to the pasture." Hhe hastened to lutorpose. "Let me do that, daddy, Mr. Norcross t Imdly used up. You see, we started down here Inte yesterday ufternoou. It was ruining und horribly muddy, aud I took the wrong trail. The darkness caught us, and we didn't reach the station till nearly midnight," Wnylsnd acknowledged his weak ness. "I gueaa I made a mistake, iu perrlsor; Cut not titled for this strvuu ous life." McFarlane was quick to understand. "I didn't Intend to pitchfork you into the forest life quite so auddeuly," be said "lWt gtva up yet awhile. You'll harden to It." stiuwsirj .. "Here comes Tony," said Berrie. "He'll look after the ponies." - Nevertheless Wayland went oat, be lieving that Berrie wished to be alone with her father for a short time. Aa he took bis seat McFarlane said: "You stayed In camp till yesterday aft ernoon, did you? "Yes, we were expecting you every moment" He saw nothing In this to remark upon. "Did It snow at the lake?' "Yes, a little; It mostly rained." "It stormed up oo the divide like a January blizzard. When did Moor and his party arrive?" "About 10 o'clock this morning.". .... . "I'll ride right up and see them. What about the outfit? That's at the luke, I reckon?' "Yes, I was Just sending Tony after it. But father, if you go up to Moore's camp don't say too much about what bus happened. Don't tell them Just when you took the back trail and Just how long Wayland and I. were ,ln camp." "Why not?' She reddened with confusion. "Be cause You know' wbut an old gossip Mrs. Belden Is. I don't want ber to know. She's an awful talker, and our being together up there all that time will give her a chance." A light broke In oo the supervisor's brain. In the midst of his preoccupa tion as a forester be suddenly became the father. His eyes narrowed aud his face darkened. "That's so. The old rip could make a whole lot of cap ital out of your being left in camp that way. At the same time I don't believe in dodging. The worst thing we could do would be to try to blind the trail. Was Tony here last night when you came?" "No; be was down the valley after his mall." His face darkened agnln. "That's another piece of bad luck too. How much does the old .woman know at present?" -"Nothing at nil." "Didn't she cross examine you?' "Sure , she did, but Wayland side tracked her. Of course It only delays things. She'll know all about It soon er or luter. She's great ut putting two and two together. Two and two with her always make five." McFarlane mused. "Cliff will be plumb crazy If she gets bis ear first." "I don't care anything about Cliff, daddy. I don't care what be thinks or does If be will only let Wayland alone." "See here, daughter, you do seem to be terribly Interested In this tourist." "He's the finest mnn I ever knew, futhor." . . He looked at her with tender, trust ing glunce. "He Isn't your kind, daugh ter. He's a nice clean boy, but he's different He don't belong n our world. He's only Just stopping , here Don't forget that." "I'm not forgetting that, daddy. I know he's different. That's why I like hliu." After a pause she added: "No body could buve been ulcer all through these days than he has been. He was like a brother." McFarlane fixed a keen glance upon her. "Has be said anything to you? Did you come to an understanding?" Her eyes fell. "Not the way you mean, daddy, but I think be likes me. But do you know who be Is? He's the sou of W. W. Norcross, thut big Mich Ignu lumberman." McFarlane started. "How do you know that?" "Mr. Moore asked him if he was any relation to W. W. Norcross, and he aid, 'Yes, a son.' You should have seen how that Moore girl changed her tune the moment he admitted that She'd been very free with hi in up to that time. But when she found out he wus a rich man's son she became ns quiet and Innocent as a kitten. I hate herl She's a deceitful snip!" "Well, now, duughter, thnt being the ense. It's all the more certuin that be don't belong to our world, and you mustn't fix your mind on keeping blm here." "A girl can't help fixing her mind, daddy." "Or chnuRlng it." Ho smiled a lit tle. "You used to llko Cliff. You liked him well enough to promise to marry him." "I know I did. But I despise him uow." "Poor Cliff! But the thing we've got to guard ngnlust Is old ludy Iteldeu's tongue, Shu and that lielden gang have It tu tor me, aud all thnt has kept them from open war has been Cliff's relationship to you. They'll take a keen delight lu making the worst of nil this camping business." Mel'arlaue was uow very grave. "1 wish your mother was here this min ute. 1 guess we had better cut out this timber cruise nud go right back." "No, you mustn't do that.. That would ouly make more talk. Oo ou with your pluus. I'll stay here with you. It won't take you but a couple of days to do the work, aud Way laud tievds the rest"' "But suppose Cliff hears of this bu.nl. ness between you nud Norcross and couies galloping over tho ridge?" "Well, let blm. He ha uo claim on me," He rose uneasily, "It's all mighty risky busluesa, and It's my fault I should Lever have permitted you to tn tt on this trip." "Don't you worry about me. daddy. I'll pull through somehow. Anybody that kuows me will understand bow little there Is In-lu old lady Belden's gnb. I've had a beautiful trip, and t won't let her nor anybody els spoil It for me." Wayland was down on the bridge leaning over Uia rail llsteutug to. tho song of the water. McFariana approached gravely, but when be spoke It was In his usual soft niouotene. "Mr. Norcross," h began, with candid Inflection.. "I am vepy sorry to say ft. but I wish you and my -daughter-bad never started on this trip." -- : "I know what yo& mean, supervisor, and I feel aa you do about It Of course none of n foresaw any such complication as this, bnt now that we are snarled np In It well have to mnke the best of tt. No one of ns Is ti blame. It waa alt accidental." The youth's frank words and bis sympathetic rotce disarmed McFar lane completely. Even the slight re sentment" he felt melted away. "It'e no uae saying 'If,'" be remarked at length. '"What we've got to meet Is Beth Belden's report-Berrie hns cut loose from CI 1ft, and he's red headed already. . When he drops on to this story, when be learns that I had to chase bs'ck after the horses and that you aud, Berrie were alone together for three days, he'll have a fine club to swing, and he'll swing It, and Alec will help him. Tbeyire all waiting a chance, to get me, and they're uieau enough to get me through my girl." "What can I do?' asked Waylnnd. McFarlane pondered. "I'll try to head off Marm Belden and I'll have a talk with . Moore. He's a pretty rea sonable chap." "But you forget there's another tale bearer. Moore's daughter is with them." "That's so. I'd forgotten her. Good Lord, we are In for it! There's no use trying to cover anything up." Here was the. place for Norcross to speak up and say, "Never mind, I'm going to ask Berrie to be my wife." But be couldn't do it Something rose In his throat which prevented speech. A strange repugnance, a kind of sul len resentment at being forced into a declaration kept him silent, and Mc Farlane, disappointed, wondering and hurt kept silence also. Norcross wus the first to speak. "Of course those who know your daughter will not. listen for an Instant to the story of on unclean old thing like Mrs. uelden.". -"I'm not. so sure about that" re plied the father gloomily. 'Teople al ways listen to such stories, and a clrl always gets the worst of a situation llko this... Berrle's been brought up to take care of herself, and she's kcDt clear of criticism so far, but with Cliff on edge and this old rip snooping around" His mind suddenly changed. i our being tho. son of a rich man won't help any. Why didn't you tell me who you were?" "I didn't think It necessary. What difference docs It make? I bnve noth ing to do with my father's business. His notions of forest speculation nre not mine." "It would have nindo a difference with me, and It might have mnde a difference with Berrlo. She mightn't nave been so free with you at the start If .she'd known who you were. You looked sick and kind of lonesome, and thnt worked on her sympathy." "I was sick and I was lonesome, and she has been very sweet and lovely to mo, and. It breaks my heart to think that her kindness nnd your friendship should bring nil this trouble nnd sus picion upon her. Let's go up to the Moore camp and have it out with them. I'll make nny statement you think best." "I reckon the less said about It the better," responded the older mnn. "I'm going up to the camp, but not to talk about my daughter." "How enn you help it? They'll force the topic." "If they do I'll force them to let It alone," retorted McFarlane, but he went away disappointed and sorrow ful. ; When the supervisor returned from the camp something In his mnnner re vealed the fact that the situation had not Improved. "They forced me Into a corner," he said peevishly. "I lied out of one night, but they know that yon were here Inst night Of course they were respectful enough so long ns I had an eye on them, but their tongues are wagging now." As bedtime drew near Settle took a blanket and went to the corral, and Berrlo Insisted that her father and Wayland occupy the buuk. Norcross protested, but the supervis or said: "Let her alone. She's better utile to sleep on the floor than either of us." This was perfectly true: but, In spite of his bruised and aching body, the youth would gladly have taken her place besido the stove. It seemed piti fully unjust thnt she should have this physical hardship lu addition to ber uneasiness of mind, . Berea suffered a restless night the most painful aud broken she had known lu all her life. She acknowl edged that Sloim Moore was prettier and thut she stood more nearly on Wayland's plane than herself, but the reullaatloB of this fact did not bring surrender. She' was not of that tem per. All her life she had been cnlled upon to combat the elements, to hold her own amid rude men and Inconsid erate women, nud she hud no Intention of yieldlug her pluoe to a pert co quette, uo mutter what the gossips might say. "She shall not have her way with Wayland," she sledded. "I know wbnt she wants-she wauts him at her side tomorrow. But I will not have It so. She Is trying to get him away from me." The moro she dwelt on tliU the hot ter her Jrailous fever .burned. The floor on which she lay was full of knots. She could not lose herself In sleep, tired ii she was. The planks no longer turned their soft spot to her flesh, and she rolled from side to side In torment Uer plan of action was simple. "1 shall en bom tomorrow and take Waylaad with me. , I will not have him going with that girl; that's set tled." The ba4 trip of.. tta...dX before had seemingly done him no permanent injury. On the contrary; a few. hours' rest bad almost restored blm. to his normal self. "Tomorrow he will- be sble to ride again."- And this thought reconciled ber to her bard bed. ' She did not look beyond the long, delicious day which they must spend In return ing to the Springs. - 8be fell asleep nt last and was awak ened only by her father tinkering about the stove. CHAPTER XI. The Camp on the Pass. S soqn us she was alone with her father Berrie said, "I'm going home today, dud." "Going home! What forr "I've had enough of it" He glunced at her bed on the door. "I can't say I blame you any." "Ob, I don't mind sleeping on the floor," she replied. "But I wuut to get buck. I don't wnnt to meet those wo men. Another thing, you'd better use Mr. Norcross nt the Springs Instead of leaving him here with Tony." "Wliy so?" "Well, he Isn't quite well enough to run the risk. It's a long way from here to a dooter." "He 'pehrs to be on deck this morn ing. Besides, I haven't anything lu the office to offer him." "Then send him. up to Meeker. Lan don needs help, nud he's a better for ester than Tony anyway." "I don't know but you're right Lan don Is almost as good a hustler as Tony and a much better forester. I thought of sending Norcross up there at first, but ho told me that Frank and his gang had it in for blm. Of course he's only nominally In tho service, but I want him to begin right" Berrie weut further, "I want him to ride back with me today." He looked ut her with grave Inquiry. "Do you think that a wise thing to do? Won't that make more talk?' "We'll start early and ride straight through." - "You'll have to go by Lost lake, nnd that means a long, hard bike. Can be stand It?" "If I find we can't make it I'll pull Into a ranch. But I'm sure we can." When Wayland enme in the super visor Inquired, "Do you feel able to ride back over the hill today?" . "Entirely bo. It Isn't the riding that uses me up. It Is the walking, and, be sides, as a candidate for promotion 1 must obey orders especially orders to mnrch." They brenkfnsted hurriedly and while McFnrJnne nnd Tony . were bringing In the- horses Wayland and Berrie sot tho cabin to lights. Work ing thus side by side, she recovered her dominion over bitn and at the snme time regained her own cheerful self confidence. "You're a wonder!" he exclaimed as he watched her deft adjustment of the dishes nnd fnrnlrure. "You're ambi dextrous." "I have to be to hold my Job," she laughingly replied. "A feller must play all the parts when he's up here." It was still early morning as they mounted and set off up the trail, but Moore's camp was astir, and as Mc Farlane turned In much against Ber rle's will the lumberman and his daughter both came out to meet them. "Come In and have some breakfnst," snld Slonn. with cordial incluslveness. while her eyes met Wnylnnd's glance with mocking glee. . . ; "Thank you," said McFnrlnne, "wr enn't stop. I'm going to set my dnugb- You're a wondtrl" ha exclaimed. ter over the divide. She has bad enough camping, and Norcross Is pret ty well battered up, so I'm going to help them across. I'll be buck toulght and we'll take our turn up the valley tomorrow. Nash will be here then." Berrie did not uilud her father's ex planatlou. On the contrary, she took a distinct pleasure lu letting the other girl know of the long and lntlmute day she was about to spend with her young lover. 8lona, too adroit to display her dis appointment expressed polite regret. "I hope you won't get storm bound," she said, showing her wblta teeth lu a meanlug smile. "If there Is any sign of a storm we won't cross," declared McFarlane "We're going round by the lower pass, anyhow. If I'm not here by dark you may know I'ts stayed to set 'em down at the mllL" n . There was-icbarm -In- Slona's alert noise, and la the neatness of her camp dress. Her dnlnty tent with its stools and rugs, made the- wilderness seem but a park. She reminded Norcross of the- troops of tourists of the'Tyrol. nnd her tent was of a . kind to harmonize with the tea bouses on the path to the summit of . the Matterborn. Then, too. something triumphantly feminine shone in her bright eyes and glowed In ber joftly rounded cheeks. Her hand was little and pointed, not fitted like Ber rle's for tightening a cinch or wielding an ax, and aa be said "Goodby" he added, "I hope I shall see you again soon." and at the moment he meant It "We'll return. to the Springs in a few days," she replied. "Come and see us. Our bungalow is on the other side of the river. And you too," she addressed Berrie, but her tone was so convention ally polite that the ranch girl, burning with Jealous beat, made no reply. McFarlane led the way to the lake rapidly and In silence. The splendors of the foliage, subdued by the rains; the grundeur of the penks, the song of the glorious stream, all were lost on Berrie, for she now felt herself to be nothing but a big, clumsy, coarse band ed tomboy. Her worn gloves, her fad ed skirt and her man's shoes had been made hateful to her by that smug, graceful, play acting tourist with the cool, keen eyes and smirking lips. "She pretends to be a kitten, but she Isn't She's a sly grownup cat," she, bitterly accused, but she could not deny the charm of her personality. Wnyland was forced to acknowledge that Berrie In this dark mood was not the delightful companion she bad hith erto been. Something sweet and con tiding had gone out of their relation ship, aud he was too keen wltted not to know what It wns. He estimated precisely the value of the malicious parting words of Slona Moore. That Berrie was suffering and that her Jealousy touchlngly proved the depth of her love for him brought no elation, only perplexity, ne was not seeking such devotion. As a compan ion on the trail she bad been a Joy; as a Jealous sweetheart she wns less nd mlrable. He renllzcd perfectly thnt this return Journey was of her ar rangement, not McFarlnne's, and, while he was not resentful of ber care, be wasvln doubt of the outcome. It hur ried him into a further Intimacy which might prove embarrassing. At tho camp by the lnke the super visor became sharply commanding. "Now, let's throw these packs on live ly. It will be slippery on the high trail, nod you'll Just naturally have to hit leather hard nud keep Jouncing If you reach the wagon road before dark. But you'll make It." "Make it!" snld Berrie. "Of course we'll mnke it Don't you worry about that for n minute. Once I get out of the green timber the dark won't worry me. We'll push right through." In packing the camp stuff on the saddles Berrie, almost ns swift and powerful ns her father, ncted with per fect understanding of every tnsk, nnd Wayland's ndmlratlon of her skill In creased mightily. She Insisted on .her fnther's turning bnck. "We don't need you," she snld. "I can find the pass." McFarlane's faith In Ills daughter had been tested many times, and yet he was a little loath to have her start off on a trail new to her. He argued against It briefly, but she laughed nt his feors. "I can go anywhere yon can," she snld. "Stand clenrl" With final admonition he stood clear. "Goodby!" he cnlled. "If you meet Nash hurry him along. Moore Is anx ious to run those lines. Keep in touch with Landon, and If nnybod.v turns up from tho district office say I'll be bnck on Friday. Good luck!" "Sume to you. So long!" Beren led the way, and Norcross fell in behind the pack horses, feeling as unimportant ns a small boy nt tbe heels of a circus parade. His girl cap tain was so competent, so self reliant nnd so sure thnt nothing he could say or do assisted In the slightest degree. Her leadership was a curiously close reproduction of her fnther's unhurried and graceful action. Her seat in the saddle was as easy ns London's, and her eyes were alert to every rock and stream In the road. She was at home here, where the other girl would have been n bewildered child, nnd his words of praise lifted the shadow from her fnce. Waylnnd called out, "The nlr feels like Thanksgiving morning, doesn't it?" "It is Thanksgiving for me, nnd I'm going to get a grouse for dinner," she replied, and lu less than an hour the snap of her rifle made good her prom ise. After, leaving the upper lnke she turned to the right nnd followed the course of a swift and splendid stream which came churning through a cheer less, mossy swamp of spruce trees. In experienced as he wns, Wayland knew that this was not a well marked trail, but his confidence In his guide was too great to permit of nny worry over the pass, and he amused himself by watching the wnter robins ns they flitted from stone to stone In the tor rent, and In calculating Just where he would drop a line for trout if he hnd time to do so, nud In recovered seren ity enjoyed his ride. Gradually he put aside his perplexities concerning tho future, permitting his mind to prefig ure nothing but his duties with Lan don at Meeker's mill. He was rather glad of the decision to send blm there, for It promised ab sorbing stKvrt "I shall see how Lan don and Belden work out their prob lem," he snld. He bad no fear of Prank Meeker now. "As a forest guard with official duties to perform I can meet that young, savage on other and more nearly equal terms," he assured himself. The trull grew slippery and In places ran run or water. 'BntthS?-- torn somewhere," Berrie f ' 1 ' declared; and pushed ahead IHIO TTtTaan It; w.. rose- above- timber and euteZj v'' the wide, smooth slopes nr Snow filled the- un... u. wind, keen, eutrtc. nni,i..,' nnt of the desolate west -in fury, but the sun" e-Jcaslomu, .A through the clouds with i,2 ' dor. - "it is December now- Waylnnd as he frit on his ii; cowered low to his saddle, be January soon!" -j "We wiU maka.lt cartway.''' she laughed, audjier K0Wng j yior wirrmed bis. heart. tlrely her cheerful self again. as iuey rose I lie view betum. nilicent, wintry,-spurklinir tk. clouds, drifting like n,.ent heavy with urmainent, sent do.! ' showers of hail ,QVer the frosted of the grassy slopes, hut wImk shadows passed the sunlight desJ. ed In silent cntnracts dellclously, like. The conies squeaked L, rocky ridges nnd n brace of eajlt,, cling ubout a lone crag, ns if ti,J In their sovereign mastcrv of th. .r screamed iu shrill ecstatic duo. TM sheer cliffs on their shadowed .iJ were violently purple. Everywhei J iiiuua.-uie eAuiuueu, ensuing contns of primary pigments which bit i, consciousness like the flnre of i g,, uni nana. It wus nearly 2 o'clock when u. began to drop down behind the rock, ridges of the eastern slope, and tm. In tbe bottom of a warm and shcit.. ed hollow Just at timber line, Bcrtij S arew uer norse to stand and Hk from the saddle. "We'll rest beren hour," she said, "and cook our grooie, or are you too hungry to wnlt?" "I can wait,"., be. answered dramatJ tally. "But It seems as if I had net eaten.' "Well, then, we'll save the grouse tri' tomorrow, but I'll make some coffetl You bring some .water while I start il tire." And so, while the tired horses croo-' ped the russet grass, she , boiled somgi coffee and laid out some bread and meat, while he sat by watching herl and absorbing the beauty of the scend the charm of the hour. "It Is euctlT1 like a warm afternoon In April," hi sold, "nnd here are some of the prtoj flowers." "There now, sit by and eat," th1 said, with humor, and In perfectly rt-j stored tranquillity they ate and dranl with no thought of critics or of rivals.! They were alone, and content to be m I It wns deliclously sweet and restful there In thut sunny hollow on the breast of the mountain. Tbe wind swept through the worn branches of the dwnrfed spruce with Immemorial wlstfuluess, but these youug soals heard It only as a far off song. Side by side on the soft Alpine clover the; rested nnd talked, looking away at the shining penks, and down over tbe dark green billows of fir beneath them. Half the forest was under tbelr eje nt the moment, and the man said: "li It not magnificent! It makes me proud of my country. Just think, all th glorious spread of hill nnd valley Is un der your fnther's direction I may ia; under your direction, for 1 notice he does Just about what you tell blm to do." "You've, noticed that?" she laugbi-d. "If I were a man I'd rather be super visor of this forest than congressman." "So would I," he agreed. "Naab ayi you are the supervisor. I wonder If your father realizes how efficient yon are? Does be ever sorrow over your not being a boy?" Her eyes shone with mirth. "Not that I can notice. Be 'pears con tented." "You're a good deal like a sou to him, I Imagine. You enn do about U that a boy can do, anyhow more than I could ever do. Does he realize bow much you have to do with the man agement of his forest? I've neverseen your like.' I really believe yon could carry on the work as well as be." Se flushed with pleasure. "fo seem to think I'm a district forester in disguise." "I have eyes, Miss Supervisor, od also ears, which lends me to ask, Why don't you claim out that saloou gang? Lnndon Is sure there's crooked work going on at thnt mlll-ertalnly tint open bnr Is a dlsgrneeful nnd corrupt ing thing." Her fnce clouded. "We've tried to cut out thnt saloon, but it can't be done. You see,- it's on i pntenteJ claim. Tbe clnlm wus bogus. conrset and we've mnde complaint but the matter Is hung up nnd that gl 'em a chnnce to go on." "Well, let's not talk of thnt It'"" delicious an hour for any question or business, It Is a moment for poehT I wish I could write what I feel thl" moment Why don't we camp and watch the sun go down and t moon rise? From our lofty vsnta? ground the coming of dawn would a n epic." "We mustn't think of thnt P1 tested. "We must be going" . "Not yet The hour Is too penf It mny never come again. The wW In the pines, tlw sunshine, the conj crying from their rocks, the butterf.'' on tbe clover my heart e the beauty of It. It's been i wo" ful trip. Even that staggering In the rain bad Its splendid qnalltf; couldn't see the poetry In It then. I do now. These few days hsv m" ns comrades, hftven't they-comr1" of the trnlir ' (Contlanea next Saturday.) J A cent a word will Ull 1 W1DIB 111 K iFuuiK-. g IL' T - .1 IW it IIC1T 1VUR, . ft . J. )''T