The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1908-01-23

He hesitated, then answered modest
H:
"My thoughts are too personal to IN
terest you"
THAT is impossible" returned Hell
en-. please tell me-"
Il was thinking" he began slowly
after moments hesitation, "of some
lines l once read somewhere, Never
the time and the place and the loved
one altogether
7 know them," said Helen softly.
TITS pity the complete harmony hap
pens SO seldom, isn't It? l wish by
some magic could change places with
the woman you are longing for now"
He smiled at her with a brightness
that transfgured his usually serious
face.
Il would have you stay where you
are" he said gently, only I would
have you love me. There is not enough
magic in the world for that, I fear"
When Helen woke the next morning
the words at the end of the trail, at
the end of the TRAIL" kept ringing in
her ears. Soon their significance fash.
ed across her. She had promised to
give him an answer at the end of the
trail. and today they were to start for
home.
With each step Of the way she de-
bated the question, What did she
know Of him? Only that he was strong
and handsome, full of certain shy hu-
NOR, lover Of nature, courteous and
gentle, yet firm and masterful. Was
that enough to justify her taking the
unknown on faith?
From time to time she watched his
manly figure swinging along with pic
turesque ease and freedom, and her
heart thrilled with the pride Of posses
sion. He loved her, and she was quite
sure But she did not have to say the
words until the end of the trail should
come into view.
1t came at last just across a noun
tain stream that went surging noisiiy
past them. On the edge of the stream
the guide paused and waited for the
others to catch up with him.
There's no wading across today"
he observed knowingly. "The stream
has risen foot since we forded 1t be-
fore. I'll have to carry you girls over"
One by one the others were landed
safely on the opposite bank. Helen
was oblivious of their squeals of fear
and shouts of laughter All she could
think Of was that in few minutes It
would be her turn. At last he stood
before her, looking down thoughtfully
upon her upturned face.
"Are you ready?' he asked gently.
"If the guide is" she answered.
Then he took her In his strong arms
and stepped into the rapidly flowing
stream. She could feel his labored
breathing, but even when his foot slip
ped on rolling stone she felt no fear.
Just as they reached the other side
Helen suddenly let her head rest
against his shoulder
THAT was lots more fun than wad-
ing" she whispered shyly. e.
In his glad surprise he almost lost
his footing, but only for a moment.
Observing that the rest Of the party
had already disappeared from sight,
he held her close and kissed her again
and again.
"It's side by side to the end of the |
trail now, dearest" he said, looking
down lovingly into her eyes.
Except over the hard places. You'll
carry me thenT'
"And never feel the burden, little
one. But are you sure you'll be con-
tent to be woodsman's wife"
"Quite sure-as long as you are con-
tent to be woodsman," she answered |
enigmatically.
sand what will your family say? |
They probably never even heard my
name"
They'll be terribly shocked, especial
ly father" she answered mischievous-
ly, holding up to his astonished view
a letter addressed to himself.
'I found it in the boat yesterday,
Mr.. Richard Millert, attorney at law"
confessed Helen. TITS a wise child |
that knows her fathers own handwrit-
ing"
And then, since they had reached
the end of the trail, between laughter
and kisses "the indigenous, danger
proof" guide owned up to Helen how
through the loving anxiety of her "a
ther the opportunity came to him of
laying siege to her heart.