Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-07-10

OF L0frlmer'S nature Stlll, III ne
happened to meet Strathley on the
highway and Jared on piece with
him, talking of the prospects for
numbering the coming winter |;
about provisioning the camp and
engaging men, and that kind of
rough and ready life, Lorrimer
could not deny but he was a pleas
ant, companionable fellow enough,
with a deal of backbone, who knew
his work, and the sort of people
with whom he had to deal.
81 mean to have a taste of this
camp life myself, this winter" he
said, by the way. 81 want to know
what it is like, to become brave
enough not to heed poor fare, q
hard couch, or bowling wolves"
"You won't find it as easy as ly-
ing, l reckon said Lorrimer, "a
little of that kind of thing goes a
great ways"
81 dare say. Are you going to
join my gangG"
az No, thank you. I'm look
ing for a chance to sell out. Iwant
to raise some ready money and be
off to California, where it grows
faster than 10 this SOIL
"Ah, going to leave for good and
all ANY disappointment! She
hasn't gone back on you, eh ?"
"Who do you mean p said John,
riercely.
1.-THE girl you are going TO leave
behind you"
81 have no sweetheart" said John,
evasively.
"More's the pity--it's love that
makes the world go round"
"No, it isn't-its money"
"If you want money, my boy, let
me help you"
you! No, thank you, / want
no mans money"
Lorrimer did not find purchaser
for his farm before the winter set
in, cold and bitter, with angry
storms and biting frosts. He was
still waiting for one when Mr..
Strathley came from town on a dark
December day, and meeting Lori
mer, begged he would pioneer him
through the woods to the camp.
81 suppose you know the woods
as well as your own face 2" he said.
EYES," said Lorrimer; "only, if it
should come on to storm as it
threatens, we may loose our reckon
ing. Hadn't you better wait till
the weather clears ?"
Elbow far do you call it 2"
Near six miles bat it isn't like
walking on a concrete pavement,
you know"
"No. Pm inclined to push on to-
day, if you're willing"
They set out not long after noon;
the sun came out and blinked at
them ; but by the time they had
struck into the deep woods he
thought better of it and retired be-
hind flaw of snow.
"This will all blow over" said
Strathley, confidently.
"Or maybe we'll outstrip the
storm and reach the camp ahead of
it," agreed Lorrimer.
But though the storm seemed In
no hurry, it meant business from
a slight flaw, it goes into lazy tu-
multi of snowhakes, obliterating
landmarks, and making the woods
murky and bewildering.
"Six miles are soon travelled in
the worst weather." averred Strath
ley. ats getting confoundedly
dark, though, Lorrimer; it seems
to me we have walked ten leagues
already"
an be blest il it isn't the longes,
six miles / ever footed" confessed
Lorrimer. 1--WE ought to be close
upon the camp, unless"
But just then Strathley stumbled
in the swiftly descending darkness
and fell, with a groan, over the rag
ged remnant of lightning-blastet
stump.
though luck" said Lorrimer
rubbing his face with the new-fall
en- snow, and chatting his hands
for Mr.. Strathley was prone upor
the ground in a dead faint. "Wha
{ if he never came to life again 2
Lorrimer asked himself. "Wha
would Margaret dol Would it b
! happier for hirDselfl'
: "Where have / been2 7" aske,
asked Strathley, suddenly, sittinI
upright and trying TO look tbroup