The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-27

row me. Ny man is a poor sailor
Not a bit of It," cried the trader.
Jessie her ain self shall row you. Why,
man, there's not an Indian in the country
that my gal cannot give points to on
fishing"
The strange unconventionality of being
rowed for miles along with beautiful girl
rather startled Morton.
place." he thought. "Surely her father
knows BEST
The trader was not impelled by parental
partlallty when he credited his daughter
with surprising skill with paddle and rod.
"Diana in all her glory was not patch
upon her" said Morton mentally as he
watched the 1.-the graceful form of the girl
standing IN artistic pose, and at each stroke
OF the paddle sending the light craft fly
ing over the water. She put the rod to-
gether for him, and arranged the tackle, all
the while prattling about the sport OF the
region and showing profound knowledge
OF the habits of the wild animals ana how
to hunt them.
He told her of the great world she had
never seen, what the men and women did
there to amuse themselves, and her fawn-
like eyes filed with tears when he de-
scrlbed the struggles and miseries of the
poor.
why don't they come out here?" she
said wonderingly. ANYONE who can
shoot and fish need not suffer for food in
the Northwest
Morton had q keen relish for trout and
venison steaks that night when they re-
turned to the hospitabIe fort. He con-
fessed that it had been one of the most en-
joyable days of his life. He had caught
lots of fish, and had been inexpressibly en-
tertained by his naive companion.
Jessie showed the most unfeigned inter-
est in this cultured and gentle stranger.
She had not particle of maidenly timid-
ity. She talked as unaffectedly to him
as to her father, and reposed the most un-
bounded confidence in him. The nature
of the girl was SO frank and refreshing
that Morton began to feel sincere affec-
ton for her. Not IN lover sense, but the
sort of regard he would entertain for
pretty and amusing child.
In this pleasant life of lake and wood
land couple of weeks slipped away, and
Morton began to think of returning to
Fort Yale. One evening when he and
Jessie shot alongside the little wharf Ben
ton. with a stout, florid man beside him,
was awaiting them.
This" said the trader, presenting Nor
ton, lis my friend, Mr.. Ferguson" The
gentlemen shook hands, but Morton was
rather surprised to see, and somewhat
chagrined, too, the big man throw his
arms around Jessie and imprint sounding
kiss upon her red lips. Jessie received
the caress with seeming indifference, and
with the unsentimental remark:
"Im glad he got four brace of grouse
to-day since you have come. Mr.. Fergu-
son."
From the moment of that embrace
Morton conceived hearty dislike to the
new arrival. He felt as if he, Frank Nor
ton, belonged to the place and this fellow
was an intruder. and the sooner he took
himself away the better it would be for
Jessie and himself. He also perceived
with alarm that the idea of his own de-
parture and bidding farewell to the
traders daughter gave him infinite pain.
He inwardly scoffed at the assumption of
his being in love. Yet the reflection that
their association must soon termin
actually made him heartsick.
Benton hailed Ferguson's arrival with
delight. Jessie had monopolized all Nor
tons time, and the trader, except at night.
was as destitute of general com panionship
as before. But the canoe would only hold
two and Morton, as the invalid, hadi the
choice. So Benton slipped rum and smoked
cigars all day and reveled in an Eden of
"reminiscences with his old friend Fergu
son. The latter did not seem to eniov
those tete-a-tetes very keenly. and Morton
noticed with jealous eyes that his glance
was often admiringly liked on Jessie, even