Charlevoix county herald., 1907-11-09
CHAPTER II.


mond Stetson, or Ray, were cutting
boughs and carrying them to two tents
standing in the mouth of bush.
choked opening into the forest. In
front of this Angie, Martins wife, was
placing tin dishes, knives and forks
upon a low table of boards Upon the
bank of broad, slow-running stream,
two canoes were drawn out, and half.
way between these and the table a
campfire burnt.
Here Levi, Martins guide for many
trips into this wilderness, was also oc.
cupied, intently watching two pals de.
pending from bending wambecks, a
coffee-pot hanging from another, and
two frying-pans, whose suffering con.
tents gave forth an enticing odor.
Twilight was just falling, the river
murmured in low melody, and few
rods above small rill entered it, add.
ing more musical tinkle.
Soon Levi deftly swung one of the
pals away from the flame with hook.
stick and speared potato with fork.
Supper ready" he called; and then
as the rest seated themselves at the
table, he advanced, carrying the pail
of steaming hot potatoes on the hooked
stick and the frying-pan in his other
hand.
The meal had scarce begun when a
cracking in the underground back of
the tent was heard and on the instant
there emerged girl. Her clothing
was in shreds, her face and hands
were black with mud, streaks of blood
showed across cheek and chin, and her
eyes were fierce and sunken.
For Gods sake give me suthin' to
eat" she said, looking from one to an
other of the astonished group. I'm
damn near starved-only bite" she
added, sinking to her knees and eX-
tending her hands. II hain't eat moth
in but roots n berries for three days"
Angie was the first to recover.
Here" she said, hastily extending her
plate, take this"
Without word the starved creature
grasped it and began eating as only a
desperate, hungry animal would, while
the WdlClcu
Don't hurry So" exclaimed Martin,
whose wits had now returned. Here,
take this cup of coffee"
Soon the food vanished and then the
girl arose. "Sit down again, my poor
child" entreated Angie, who had OBJ
served the strange scene with moist
eyes, "and tell us who you are and
where you came FROM"
"My names Chip answered the
girl, bluntly, "an' I'm runnin' away
from Tins Place, cause dad sold me
to Pete Bolduc."
to-Pete-Bolduc," ex-
claimed Angie, looking at her wide
eyed. what do you mean?"
'He did, sartin," answered the girl,
laconically. 81 heerd 'em maxim the
bargain, n 1 fetched three hundred
dollars"
Martin and his wife exchanged
chances.
well, and then what?" continued
Angie.
oval, then I waited a spell, till
they'd turned in" explained the girl,
land then lit out. / knowed twas 60
miles to the settlement, but twas
moonlight n / CHANGED it. I've had
an awful time, though, the spites hev
chased me all the way. l was jist
maxim a nestle when I seed yer light,
an 1 crept through the brush n
peeked. l seen we want nobody from
Tins Place, n then / cum out.
guess you've saved my life. l was
gittin' dizzy"
1t was brief, blunt story whose di.
rectness bespoke truth; but it revealed
such a pigsty state of morality at this
Tins Place that the little group of
astonished listeners could scarce finish
supper or cease watching this much
soiled girl.
"And so your name is Chip" queried
Angie at last. "Chip what?"
"Chip MCGUIRE" answered the waif,
quickly; "only my real name amt
Chip, it's Vera; but they've allus called
me Chip at Tins Place"
"And your father sold you to this
MANI"
HE did, n he's damn bad man."
replied Chip, readily. "He killed some
body once. an he don't show up often.
hate him!"
"You mustn't use swear words" re-
turned Angie; cts not NICE"
The girl looked abashed. II guess
you'd cuss If you'd been sold to such
q nasty-looking man as Pete" she re-
sponded. He chaws terbaccer n lets
il drizzle on his chin, n he hain't but
one eye"
ITO BE CONTINUED