Mexico Missouri message., 1907-12-26
CHAPTER v.

There were three people AT Bircn
Camp,--as Angie had christened it,
namely, herself, Ray, and Chip. who
did not share Martins suspicion OF
danger. A Arm belief that a woman's
aid in such a 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 q certain daily routine OF
work. amusement, and. on Chips part,
of study. True to her philanthropic
sense OF duty toward this waif, Angie
had 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.
It was only beginning. OF course.
and yet with constant reminders as to
pronunciation, this was all that Angle
could do. The Idioms OF Tins Place,
with all its profanity, still adhered to
Chips speech. This latter, especially,
would now and then crop out in spite
of ali 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
reproved for her lapses In speech.
soon ceased all unnecessary talk when
with Angie.
But with Ray II was different. He
was near her own age. the companion
ship OF youth was theirs. and with him
Chips speech was ready enough. This.
of course. answered all the purposes
of benefit by assimilation, and so
Angle was well satisfied that they
should be together. Beyond that she
mad no thought that love might accrue
from this association.
Chip, while fair Of face and form,
and at sentimental age. was so
crude OF speech, so grossly ignorant,
and so allied to the ways and manners
OF Tins Place, that, according 70
Angles reasoning, Rays feelings were
safe enough. He was well bred and
refined. happy, natural boy now
verging upon manhood. In Greenvale
ne 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 happen.
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. ths
by-play Of heartinterest went on.
And what q glorious golden sum
mer opportunity these two had!
Back OF the camp and tending north
west TO southeast was a low ridge oi
outcropping slate, bare in SPOTS
hog.back, in wilderness phrase. Be
yOnd this lay mile-long "blow-down.'
where a tornado had levesled the tai
timber. A FIRE. sweeping this wheT
dry. left the criss-eross confusion oI
charred logs. blueberry bushes had
followed fast, and now those luscious
berries were ripening In lImitless pro
fusion. Every fair day Ray and Chill
came here to pick. TO eat. TO hear this
birds sing. to gather flowers and b
happy.
They watched the rippled lake with
now and then a deer upon It's shores
from this ridge; they climbed up o.
down H.. hand In hand; they iished II
the lake or canoed about Il, time aht
again; and many a summer evening
when the moon served. Chip handled
the paddle. while Ray picked hii
banjo and sang his darky songs al
around this placid sheet OF water.
and what a wondrous charm thi
combination Of moonlight on the AK
and love songs sostened and mad
tender BY the still wnter held 10
Chipl AS those melodies had dom
ON that frat evening beside the camp
fire. 80 now they filled her soul with
strange newborn. and wonderfu
eenna OF Joy and Gladnasa.
The black forest oncloslm9 theH
aow was somhfe and silent. spite