Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-07-25
no gorgeousness of sunset or after

no gorgeousness Of sunset or after
glow for the overhanging boughs, with
their snowy covering. were all but i'm
penetrable. Little by little the tree
trunks turned from green and brown
TO black Little 10y little the snow
took Il blush hue that darkcned into
the purple OF the dropping boughs, and
the air grew raw and sharp with n Iii.
tie night breeze that made Rose SILVER
as the glow of heavy exercise depart
ed with her first WEAKNESS.
Her course was now more difficult.
As darkness seemed assured she con-
stantly stumbled, but caught herself
each time. But the straining told on
the thongs Of her snowshoes. Sud
denly, she could not tell how, the
fastenlngs on one shoe gave way, and
she was thrown violently forward.
Had the fall taken place in the soft
snow Rose would have been unframed,
but she had just arrived at the brow
of slight slope almost wind swept OF
snow AS the girl scrambled TO her
feet her left arm dangled uselessly at
her side. With little moan she slip
ped her other foot from its snowshoe.
then stood for moment, pain and ter.
ror of the darkness rendering her weak
and helpless.
Then her courage returned to her.
NONSENSE she thought give been
in the woods alone before. / mustn't
get frightened even If it is dark and !
don't know where | am"
She took from the pocket of her skirt
tiny oilskin packet. John, the guide,
allowed no one in the lodge TO be with
out matches
III light fire." she said, land camp
right here for the night"
Dizzy with pain and hunger she
painfully gathered together some dead
branches and. kindling u cheerful
blaze sat down before it, The pain
in her arm was very great, and she
rolled back her sleeve and piled soft
handfuls of snow on the flesh
The whispering of the night through
the pines seemed very sad and lonely
to Rose 1t was only by watching the
beauty of the scarlet fire glow on snow
and sweeping branches and murmur-
ing over and over to herself that she
was not afraid that the girl kept her
self from screaming with terror.
Then from out the darkness behind
her came the soft fluff fun of hurrying
snowshoes. and Hugh, hot and breath
less. stood before her
"Rose" he cried. Rose, | thought l
had lost you"
Rose looked up at him in amaze
ment. How did yOu find me, Hugh?"
Find You. Why, I've been follow
ing you ever since you left the lodge.
But Just at dusk my snowshoe broke,
and before | could patch it up You
were out of sight"
Rose put another handful Of snow on
her arm. Hugh threw himself down
beside her. "Oh. Rose" he cried, what
have you done to yourself?
Rose looked M at him. Suddenly
she realized how she had been BELT
Ting great thing in satisfying her
foolish pride Suddenly she saw that
this was best of all; not that she keep
her girlsh vanities. but that their love
held true no matter who ordered or
who obeyed. suddenly she felt as if she
wanted things rs they had been at any
cost
''Hugh," she said. Il don't mind. Or
der me about al you want to; only
take care Of me and don't Let me go
away again"
Again the little bewildered look came
into Hughs face as he gathered her
close.
Il don't want to order you, Rosie"
he said. ~ was stubborn, and you
know what is for your own best good
anyhow. All want is you, and for
the rest you may do rs you please"