The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-10-16
a Goward's
Courage.
* *

~ light step. step, behind MS
Talk of the quiet of the woods, there
rs no such thing"
FLORENCE Lindsay peered over her
shoulder searching the brush-shaded
hillside for the disturbing feet.
Mark Lindsay spTang from his
couch of brown leaf-mound, saying:
M Nine. Fine Ear, | hear nothing,
but will gladly search for the depreda-
tor"
You'll not find him that way" said
Florence. 1--WE are the intruders dis
turbing the woodland housekeeping.
SIT down again Mark, l want to tell
you something"
tHa! There he is. Look at him
tio-entirely substantial and harm
less, my superstitious wife, 1 do as
sure you. There he goes. He has
added wings to his steps and taken a
cosgn OF vantage where he can SPY
upon US. Quite handsome for a mag
PIE. t. Glad to make your &C
quaintance, sir" Mark bowed with
profound respect in the birds. direc-
tion.
Florence laughed with relief and
fun as the saucy-looking bird settled
himself on a Dough high above their
heads and studied them with sidelong
scrutiny, He needs only ]spectacles
to look quite professional. But come,
Mark, | want to tell you something |
never told before"
$50 you have reserved confidence
these elk long months of our union"
said Mark, teasingly, as he returned
to his place among the brown leaves.
The lady studied the place, looking
up the length of tree-boles and out
over the mystery of wood depths far
below. signing a little that there
should Turk about it all a spirit of I'M
aest.
Il am a coward, Mark" she abrupt
iy announced, afraid Of all sorts OF
things, but most of all sounds that +
can't define"
Don't believe 1t of yourself-you,
a fearless h"orsewoman, and timid!"
Mark was not disturbed by the confess
sion.
"a fearless horsewoman in the park
and in the company Dwell, yourself
for instance-but you know this Is al
most my first experience in the real
wildness of out-of-doors. 1t has al
ways been'--a touch OF sarcasm in
her voice-'dusted and aired in the
summer resorts. But here, only a
brief climb from the snow-Iine of our
Sierra Nevada range, it is most SUI
perbly new"
Your fear doesn't spoil your pleas
ure, then? You like u camp"
Mark vas sleepily solicitous.
Camp is all that one could desire.
Your friends. the D~ennisons-it is
good to know them-are wholly will
ing to foster the latent barbarian in
u.s."
"Fred's a fine fellow" Mark idly as
scented. whistling to the policeman
magpie. Wish his health was better.
But he must get well here if any
where. This claim of his is over 81
coo feet above the valley. The stream
running through the place comes
from the heart of the SHOWS; the can
yons are full of game. and best of all,
to my notion. the resinous odor of the
pines all about him. I have great
faith in pines. But tell me more OF
your vile courage, Mrs. Mark. Per-
haps something can be done about 1t.
You don't look like a fearsome per-
son."
I'm vigorous enough, surely"
Florence Strengthened out her fine
shoulders and held out a well-mus-
cled arm. Il have friends who are
little more than bundles of nerves,
bravery is a thing for man him
self to envy" She lightly sighed,
adding: ITS a desperate flaw in a
character-this cowarLice."
They started many a little busting
creature from his feast of grasses and
Juicy roots, and awakened a sleepy
horned owl, just to see him blink his
eyes. Florence bent quite
'portsmanlike V e a coon track that
Mark traced in the we mould on the
,ank of the stream.
H was here, lately" said Mark,
the bear-like impression.
Something disturbed him, for he is
night prowler. like all the rest. That
'eminds mel must leave long before
daylight. Andy, Fred's man, goes
With me. and | hope to bring you a
handsome pair OF antlers. You will
out o woodcraft by yourself
md let me know of your progress
1T will be lovely. Mark, but-tha
are many, III have d ]
food report for you. / shall ride
Town to Oakriew in the morning il
drs. Dennison needs anything.
Well, start early, if you go, so as
q get back before the hottest part Of
heAday..-Iasa carries yon well and
good time. | am glad you
use the ~ross-saddle.9
Lift up the latch and the bolt will
ALL sang Florence to an improvised
afr. 4
Look out for the WOLF my child, /
II mark /
Because the green huntsman Will |
pe over the hills and far away? she j
asked q hint Of reproach iasher ques
Ton.
1ssgisg feH Y e the mountain camp
nullded about il, rather1and set itsl