Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-05-30
CHAPTER v


did not share Martins suspicion OF
danger. A firm belief that 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 20 the situation.
Life here az all hours soon settled
itself into a certain daily routine OF
work. amusement and. or Chips part.
Of study. True TO her philanthropic
sense Of duty toward this wEif Angie
had az once set about her much-needed
education. A reading and spelling
book suitable for child OF eight had
been secured 81 the settlement. and
nov lessons" occupied a few hours
OF each day.
Il vas only a beginning. Of course.
and yet with constant reminders as 70
pronunciation. this was all that Angie
could do. The idioms OF Tins Place.
with all its profanity. still adhered 20
Chips speech This latter. especially.
would now and then crop out IN spite
OF all admoniuons. 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 IA speech
soon ceased all unnecessary talk when
with Angie.
But with Ray it was different lie
was near her own age. the companion
ship Of youth was theirs. and with him
Chips speech was ready enough. This.
Of course answered an the purposes
Of 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 ard form.
and az a sentimental axe. was so
crude OF speech. so grossly ignorant.
and so allied 20 the ways and manners
OF Tins Place. that according 20
Angles reasoning Rays feelings were
safe enough. lie was well bred and
refined, a happy. natural boy now
verging upon manhood. In Grcenvale
he had never shown much interest in
girls society. and while he now
showed a playmate enjoyment OF
Chips company. that was an that vas
likely 20 happen.
But the winged god wots not OF
'N'"NtA Nt AaftNAtAt.A r. n II nMNM NA 10
and a maid OF 16 arc tho same the
world over. and so out OF sight OF
Angie. and unsupported by her. the
byplay or heartintcrest went on.
And what glorious golden sum
mer opportunity these two hadi
Back OF the camp and tending north
west 20 southeast was low ridge OF
outcropping slate. bare in spots
hog-back. IN wilderness phrase. Be
yond this lay a mlle-lonE blow down"
where a tornado had Ievelled 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 IL nmitlcss pro-
fusion. Every fair day Ray and Chip
came here 20 pick. 20 eat. 20 hear the
birds sing, 70 gather flowers and be
happy.
They watched tho rippled lake with
now and then a deer upon its shores.
from this ridge; they climbed up or
down e. hand IN hand, they hshcd in
the lake or canOed about 10. 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 sun water held for
Chip AS those melodies had done
on that first evening beside the camp
fro en .fsl
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 We're watching; but a protector
was near, his arm was strong: back
at the landing were kind friends. and
the undulating path of silvered light.
the round smiling orb above. the
twinkling stars. and this matchless
music became a new wonder world to
her
Her eyes glistened and grew tender
with pathos She had no more idea
than a child why she was happy.
Each day sped by on wings OF wind.
each hour. with her one best COM
panion, the most joyful. and so. day
by day, poor Chip learned the sad
lesson Of loving.
But never word or hint OF this
fell from her lips. Ray was so far
above her and such a young hero, that
she. a homeless outcast. tainted by
the filth and service OF Tins Place.
could only look TO him as she did TO
the moon.
Not for one instant did he realize
the growing independence and self-re-
hance OF this wilderness waif, OF how
the first feeling that she was a burden
upon these kind people would chafe
and vex her defiant nature, until she
would scOrn even love, to escape Il.
Just now the tender impulse OF
love was all Ray felt or considered.
This girl OF sweet sixteen and utter
confidence in him was so enthralling
in spite OF her crude speech and lack
of education. her kisses were so much
his TO take whenever chance offered,