The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-07-10
Che Cakln9
Of Lorena.
By ANNE HEILMAN.
By ANNE HEILMAN.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

Although it was the second week in
Nav, there were sudden and chill
vbiffs of wind from the north, accom-
panied by flying particles of ice anl
snow, grim warning that winter had
not vet renowned it's sway the
northland.
Floyd Jordan, striding down the steep
mountain trial, halted irresolutely near
the abrupt turning at Farrell's bluff
He appeared to be meditating deeply
Suddenly he threw up his head, squared
his shoulders and hurried on, not In
the direction of the boarding house in
the gulch, but toward Farrell's cabin.
Farrell's cabin consisted of two loe
houses Joined together and chinked
with mud. There were other cabins of
the same simple architecture scattered
over the mountain side and nestled in
the gulches, but white curtains hung
at the Farrell windows, and the wind.
ward side of the living room was hung
with gay Navajo blankets.
The brown fur of a mountain bear
was on the floor, and it's mate was
spread luxuriously beneath the red pill
lows of couch. And, set like torch
in the south window, geranium,
NOTED in a brilliant Indian basket
lifted it's scarlet bloom.
But Jordan felt without seeing this
harmony. He was looking into the
face of the girl who had opened the
door. 1t was face Of light and shade
which spoke the swift thought before
the voice found words, face to hold
mans glance in a crowd. Closing
the door, she resumed her seat by the
fire without replying to Jordan's genial
greeting.
He seemed to fill the room. Six feet
two and broad shouldered, he looked
even larger in the clumsy canvas coat,
corduroys and high laced boots of the
prospector. He whipped his hat
against his knee, evidently discon-
certed by the girls hostile attitude.
"That you, Floyd Jordan?" inquired
a voice from the inner room.
Eyes, Mrs. Farrell. How're you feel
ing?"
"Some better Pm glad to say. Set
down and warm yourself, Floyd.
'Tain't to be wondered at that people
have rheumatism in a land where
there is ten months winter. If you'll
shut the door, Loreny, I'll get up and
dress"
Lorena closed the door.
Floyd Jordan, what are you coming
here again for?" she burst out sud
denly.
wouldn't be very neighborly not to
drop in with your mother sick and
your dad away, would it?"
Didn't I tell you that never would
speak to you again and that I never
wanted to see you" she said fercely,
taking few steps toward him. Even
in that critical moment, with her eyes
blazing unjust and unreasonable anger,
the miners heart throbbed acknowl.
edgment of the tall, plant, reedlike
grace before him.
eyes, Lorena, but have just lit
tie hope that you don't always mean
what you say"
Don't you think I mean it when ]
tell you I've heard how you Dragged
to the boys at the store that you could
take me whenever you got good and
ready"
81 never said it in that way. Some
one has garbled my words to suit their
own purpose. Why, I've loved you
from the first time I ever set eyes on
you. I've been thinking of building a
cabin on my claim-if you'll have me,
Lerena. If you won't I'll sell out and
go to the States"
you can't 60 any too quick to suit
me-" answered the girl, her voice tense
with scorn. "And you can tell them
loafers at the store that I'm not to be
taken so easily. I'd rather die than
marry you, Floyd Jordan"
u reckon that settles it." said Jor-
dan, rising and buttoning his coat
PLEASE tell your mother goodby for
me-" and he was gone.
"Loreny Farrell, what have you
been and done" demanded her mother,
hmping into the room in her stocking
1eet' you knows we'll as I do that
Floyd never said nothing to nobody
ABOUT you! The Blake girls made 1t
Al up, jealous cause you'd caught the
nKellest young Teller in the camp.
1ouVe driven him away for good this
tine. He'll keep his word-he always
uoes-and go to the States"
She re-entered the bedroom for her
snoes, and Lorena stealthily opened the
uoof and looked after her lovers re-
.ieatlng figure. He had almost reached
Tue duff. If he passed it she knew
sue would never see him again. Some
Jung stirred in her throat. The long
stfetch of trail that ran away through
,ne dreary landscape seemed like heI
rue and Floyd was going out of it.
l1er heart yearned for him. What
WOULD her life be without him?
- Loreny, where are your called Mrs.
farrell, emerging from the bedroom
.uny shod. The girl was not in the
,oom' Her mother opened the door and
-Oohed out but a wall Of whirling
"nite met her vision.
MY God?' she gasped. ''The child's
gone after him."
que knew the risk All morning the
+t toiln mad been brewing, and now it
nunuered by, veritable blizzard, the
~ that swoops down on the northwest
.i'itory as late as June and as early
august. 1t compels the settler to
ulng wire from house to stables; It
oe~ men circling in the snow; it catch