The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-16

party would be breaking up. and Hilda
must return TO the city. 1t was I'M
certain when they would be able to
see each other again. though there
was talk of getting up winter party
to visit Camp One in January.
Suddenly the girl broke off and put
her fingers to her lips. For some time
dimly, an intermittent and faint sound
had been felt. rather than actually
heard. like the irregular muffied beat
ing of a heart. Now at last it broke
through the film of consciousness.
What Is it?" she asked.
Thorpe listened. Then his face lii
nightly with the joy of battle.
MY axmen." he cried. They are
cutting the road"
A faint call echoed. Then without
warning, nearer at hand the sharp
ring of an AK sounded through the for
est.
For moment they sat listening to
the clear staccato knocking of the dis
tant blows, and the more forceful thuds
of the man near at hand.
what are they doin? Are they cut
ting lumber?" asked Hildo.
NO" answered Thorpe, 1--WE do not
cut saw logs at this time of year. They
are clearing out a road"
Where does 1t go to?"
well. nowhere in particular. That
is, it is logging road that starts at
the river and wanders up through the
woods where the pine is"
How clear the axas sound. Can't
we go down and watch them a little
while?''
THE main gang is a long distance
away; sound carries very clearly in
this still air. AS for that fellow you
hear so plainly. he is only clearing out
small stuff to get ready for the others
Let's not go then" said Hilda sub
missively.
when you come up in the winter.
he pursued. you will see any amount
of big timber felled."
81 would like to know more about ii, -
she sighed. quaint little air of child
ish petulance craving two lines be-
tween her eyebrows. do you know
Harry, you are a singularly uncom-
municative sort of being. / have Ia
guess that your life is interesting and
picturesque-that is" she amended, 81
should have to do so IL Wallace Car
penter had not told me a little some
thing about 1t. Do you know that ]
really don't know anything at all
about the life yon lead here? From
what l have seen. you might be perpet-
ually occupied in eating things in a
log cabin, and in disappearing to per-
form some mysterious rites in the for
est" She looked at him with a smiling
mouth, but tender eyes.
Now tell me-" she breathed.
"What?" he inquired.
Your life; what you do; all about
it,"
Thorpe settled himself more lazily,
and laughed with quiet enjoyment. The
barrier between himself and self-ex-
preston had faded.
THE story of the woods" he began,
the story of the saw log. 1t would
take bigger man than to tell 1t. l
doubt If any one man ever would be
big enough. 1t is drama, a struggle,
battle. Those men you hear there
are only the skirmishers extending the
firing line. We are fighting always with
Time. I'll have to hurry now to get
those roads done and a certain creek
cleared before the snow. Then We'll
have to keep on the keen move to fin
ish out cutting before the deep snow;
to haul our logs before the spring
thaws; to float them down the river
while the freshet water lasts. When
we gain day we have scored a VIC
tory; when the wilderness puts us back
an hour. we have suffered defeat"
The girl placed her hand on hi
shoulder. He covered it with his own
But we win!" he cried. I'VE win!'
THAT is what like" she said softly
strong spirit that wins!" Sh
| hesitated, then went on gently, "Bu
the battlefields, Harry; to me they ar
dreadful. l went walking yesterda.
| morning, before you came over. ant
after while l found myself in tn
most awful places. The stumps o
trees, the dead branches, the trunks
lying all about, and the glazing no
sun over everything! l can shut m!
eyes now, and can see this place, oul
dear little wooded knoll wasted anC
blackened as that was"
The man twisted his shoulder un
easily and withdrew his hand.
Harry" she said again, after {
pause, you must promise to leave thii
woods until the very last"
Thorpe remained silent.
In selecting the districts for the sea
sons cut, he had included in his esti
mates this very grove. Since then HI
had seen no reason for changing hi
decision. The operations would no
commence until winter. By that tins
the lovers would no longer care to use
it as at present. Now rapidly he passed
in review a dozen expedents by which
his plan might be modified to permi
of the groves exclusion. His practica
mind discovered flaws in every one
"Hilda," he broke in abruptly at
last, "the men you hear are clearing
a road to this very timber"
What do you mean?" she asked.
This timber is marked for cutting
this very winter"
She had not a suspicion of the true
state of affairs. isn't 1t lucky spoke
of it," she exclaimed. you must see
to 1t to-day; now!"
She sprang up impulsively and stood
waiting for him. He arose more slowly.
"Hilda, / cannot" he said.
She stood very still for some Sec
onds.
why not?" she asked, quietly.
"Recause I have no Tina To clIt a