Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-10-11
CHAPTER V.

CHAP Elk v.
There were three people~sat Birch
Camp,-as Angie had christened it.
namely, herself, Ray, and Chip, who
did not share Martins suspicion Of
danger. A firm belief that womans
aid in such complication was of no
value, coupled with a desire to save
her anxiety, had kept his lips closed
as to the situation.
Life here at all hours soon settled
itself into a certain daily routine Of
york, amusement and. ON Chips part,
Of study. True to her philanthropic
sense of duty toward this waif, Angle
Rad at once set about her much-needed
education. A reading and spelling
book suitable for a child of eight had
been secured at the settlement, and
now lessons" occupied a few hours
Of each day.
1t was only becianing. of course,
and yet with constant reminders as to
pronunciation, this was all that Angie
could do The idioms of Tins Place,
With all its profanity, still adhered to
Chir's speech This latter, especially,
would now and then crop out IN spite
Of all admonitions; and so Angie found
that her pupil made slow progress.
There was also another reason for
this. Chip was afraid of her, and oft
reproyed for her iapses in speech.
soon ceased all unnecessary talk when
with Angie.
But with Ray it was different He
was near her own age, the companion
ship Of youth was theirs and with him
Chips speech was ready enough. This,
IF course, answered all the purposes
IF benefit by assimilation, and so
Angie was well satisfied that they
should be together. Beyond that she
had no thought that love might accrue
from this association.
Chip, while fair of face and form,
ard at a sentimental age, was so
crude Of speech, So grossly ignorant
and so allied to the ways and manners
Of Tins Place, that, according to
Angles reasoning, Rays feelings were
safe enough. He was well bred and
refined, a happy, natural boy now
yerging upon manhood. In Greenvale
he had never shown much interest in
girls society, and while he now
showed a playmate enjoyment of
Chips company, that was all that was
likely to harpen.
But the winged god wots not of
speech or manners. A youth of IS
and maid of 16 are the same the
world over, and so out of sight of
Angie, and unsupported by her, the
by-play of heartinterest went on.
And what glorious golden sum
mer opportunity these two had!
Back of the camp and tending north
west to southeast was a low ridge Of
outcropping >slate, bare in spots-a
hog-back, in wilderness phrase. Be
yond this lay a mile-long "blowdowD,"
where a tornado had levelled the tall
timber A fire, sweeping this when
dry, left the criss-cross confusion of
charred logs, burberry bushes had
followed fast, and now those luscious
berries were ripening in Hnitless pro-
custom Every fair day Ray and Chip
came here to pick, to eat, to hear the
birds sing, to gatLer flowers and be
happy.
They Watched tha ripnled lake with
row and then a deer upon its shores,
from this ridge; they climbed sup or
,'own it. hand in hand; they fshed in
tie lake or canoed about it, time and
again; and many a summer evening,
when. the moon served, Chip handled
the paddle, while Ray picked his
banjo and sang his darky songs all
around this placid sheet of water.
And what a wondrous charm this
combination of moonlight on the lake
and love songs softened and made
tender by the still water held for
Chip! As those melodies had done
on that first evening beside the camp
fire, so now they filed her soul with a
strange, newborn, and wonderful
sense of Joy and gladness.
The black forest enclosing them
| now was sombre and silent. Spites
still lurked in its depths and doubt
less were watching; but protector
was near his arm was strong; back
at the landing were kind friends, and
| the unduIating path of silyered light