The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-02-08
A Meeting in
the Wilderness

" Hermann"
Come on 10 supper" growled Her
mann, translating n babel Of yels from
the younger campers into summons
The sunset light had faded from tn,
marshes and the campfire was paint.
ing the long pale twilight OF the Nortl
with ruddy color when new sount
added itself to the distant cali Of tn,
falls above them, the whimper Of the
hrids and the leaves, and the tlnkle OF
Wither's banjo, II was the steady, in
rraasing crNckle af an approach through
/ The woods, Pierre, one OF the guides
arose and advanced cautiously. The
men ceased their talk and raised their
heads TO listen. The noise came near
| er, and nearer and with a final burst
| Il the OBTAINING underhrush. woman
| appeared on the edge Of the camp
In the golden rosy glow Of the fire
she was seen to be young, with the
| slim grace Of youth and wtldness, her
uncovered head was n glorious tangle
OF ruddy darkness. Her eyes, gazing
at them all with look which was
part fear, part defiance. seemed black
From her head swung an unlighted
lantern
rs there's there some one here VIII
could help sick man." she quavered |
'Where?" asked Hermann as DR.. |
Todd pushed toward the front of the
group.
Back in the woods, in our cabin
It's about three miles"
4 didn't know there was a settle /
ment anywhere in this district" said
Hermann.
There aint. There's only our place.
VIII anybody come? He's hurt~-he's
broke his leg-he goes out OF his head
with the pain an talks crazy An
there's no one at home but me-"
How did you know We were here?"
asked someone.
They said down at Caribou Cor
ners that Pierre had taken out a par
" of fishermen, an Pierre always
amps here will anybody Gomez" ,
she asked. impatiently
Il am a physician" said DR.. Todd; E
I win go with you. Is there good
rail?" ,
No trail at all, but / know the {
'learest way. Please come quick"
Hermann offered to accompany them,
out the girl cried out in fever Of /
anxiety, The more that comes the
0nger it will take and Todd nodded &
lis comprehension of ne impatlence. +
lie ran into the tent, seized the case ,
f instruments and remedies which long
Experience had taught him to make as
variable part of his outfit, and start -
d with his guide
They picked their way through the =,
angle of the woods, the lanterns little
ar cf light just before their feet throw
lg all the world beyond into deeper So
lackness. At first the doctor essay
d to ask questions, but not only was
lie girl reticent but she led him along
le ascent at a speed which left no
reath for conversation. He only
armed that it was not one Of her own
tmily whom he was called upon to
ID. Yet he gained an impression Of
er tense and passionate interest in
le patient
They came by and by to clearing
18th the square Of a cabin bulkel
1rkiy In It. Through the window cut
the logs and through the cracks in
le door a rudy light cleaned. She
le door a ruddy light cleaned. She
'und himself in a spacious square
,om. AT one end a fire glowed in
e great fireplace Of unchiseled stones.
he walls were Of rounded logs, strip
ID Of their bark, their interstices fil- r
d with the same gray cement that il
Id the chimney stones together Il
here were many-antlered trophies Of Il
G hunt on the walls; fishing rods and T.
fes were stretched between hooks y
stened into the logs or on shelves; v
light household utensils glittered near ?
e fireplace. 4 table, shining with !,
d oilcloth, was drawn against one Il
le Of The room. 1t held a lighted n
mp, the rays Of which fell upon a y,
t on the opposite side. On this the n
tient lay. p
Dr. Todd stepped quickly toward it, Il
tn professional cheer in his voice al
d words. He saw a long, stalwatr " "
ure-a young face, pale through its
own with the pallor Of pain, it's lips -
beneath its brown beard
pair Of frank blue eyes, that seemed =
contain all the brilliant sapphire Of
: northern skies and lakes In their
pths, stared up at him. He drew ,x
hands across his own eyes as though pr
brush away a mist. The man on
coat half rose upon an elbow. The
nched lips fell open.
Walter!"
Jim!"
The girl came close to the cot as +
brothers recognized each other. =
i C,t1 II