La Junta tribune., 1908-02-15

ued 10 row On with Ern. even strokes.
~ length. just - the sun brokt
through the clouds. the boat xiisIed In
10 cool mirrorel stream leading NJ
most impercepiIbiy into the woois
from the head III The lake In and oul
among little groups Of Island bushes
they made their way. and ON aud ~
Into the sunret ever just treyoud. Th.
syseii Of enchanfmens wss upon them.
''Ipo you like ity' ssked the guide
1t is paradise vas IIeicn's scare
" audible reply
4 long silence foIiowed
= wish" said Helen finally, .yos
would tell me what you are thinkins
about this very moment. won't your
4 He he~itaied. then ans w~red modest
":
My thoughts are too I.erron.i TO in
terest you"
That 10 Impossible" returned Hell
en-. "Pisaae Tell me-
Il was thinking.- be began slowly
after q moments hesitation. ''of some
lines ! once read somewhere. Never
the time and the place and the loved
one altogether
tuS"- hatu fteitu
IT'S pity the complete harmony hap
pens M seldom. isn't IL. wish BY
some magic could change places with
the woman you are longing for now"
He smiled at her with = brightness
that trsnsngurcd his usually serious
face.
Il would have you stay where you
are" he said gently. only l would
hs we YOU love me. There is not enough
magic In the world for that. l fear"
When Helen woke the next morning
the words ''af the end Of the trail. at
the end Of the TRAIL kept ringing In
her ears. Soon their Significance flash
ed across her. She had promised tc
give him an answer at the end Of the
trail. and today they were TO start foi
home
With each step Of the way she de
hated 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 aud
gentle. yet nrm and Inasterful Was
that enough TO justify her taking the
unknown on faith;
From time TO time she watched his
manly ngnre swinging along with pic
ture~que 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
woris until the end OF the trail should
come Into view
II came at last. just across noun
tain stream that went -urging noIsiIy
past them. On the edge OF the stream
the guide paused and waited for the
others to carch up with him.
There's 10 wading. across today"
be observed knowingly. The stream
! has risen \ foot since we forded It he
fore I'll have 10 carry you girls over"
Z One by one the others were landed
safely on the opposite bank. Helen
WAS oblivious Of their squcals of fear
and shouts Of laughter. All she could
think OF WIS that In few minutes It
would he her turn. At last he stood
upon her upturned face.
Are yon rea.iy:'' lie asked gently.
III the guide Is" she answered.
Then he took her I'm his strong arms
and stepped into the rapidly flowing
stream. She could feel his iabored
breathing. but even when his foot slip
ped on n rolling stone she felt no fear
just ms they reached the other side
Helen suddenly let her head rest
against his shoulder.
THAT WAS lots more FUN than vad-
ing she whispered shyiy.
In his glad surprise lie almost lost
his footing, but only for moment.
Observing that the rest Of the party
had already disappeared from sight
he held her close and kissed her again
and again.
ITS 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 theny"
And never feel the burden. little
one. But are you sure you'll be con-
tent To be n woodsman's wifeY'
Quite sure--as long as you are con-
tent 10 he "A woodsman." she answered
saigmatically.
And what will your family say?
They probably never even heard my
name
They'll be terribly shocked. especial
~ father she answered mischievous-
ly. holding up to his astonished view
letter addressed to himself
Il found 1t In the boat yesterday.
Mr.. Richard AItliert. attorney at law
confessed Helen Its 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 IA
ther the opportunity came to him Of
laying siege TO her heart