The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-07-08
Cbe CaklnQ
Of Lorena.
BY ANNE HEILMAN.
BY ANNE HEILMAN.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associate,
literary Press

panied by Hying particles or Ice ana
snow, grim warning that winter had
not yet renowned Its sway In the
northand.
Floyd Jordan. stridlng down the steep
mountain trial, halted irresolutely near
the abrupt turning ut Farrells BLUM.
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 Farrells cabin.
Farrell's cabin consisted of two log
houses Joined together and chinked
with mud. There We're other cabins of
the same simple architecture scattered
over the mountain side and nestled In
the gulehes, 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 mountain bear
was on the floor. and its mate was
spread luxuriously beneath the red pill.
lows of n couch. And, set like torch
in the south window, geranium.
ported in u brilliant Indian basket.
lifted its 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 a face to hold
n mans glance In crowd. Closing
the door, she resumed her seat by the
fire without replying TO Jordan's genial
greeting
He seemed to I'LL 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.
yes, Mrs. Farrell How're you feel
ing?"
Some better. I'm glad to say. Set
down and warm yourself. Floyd.
'Tain't TO be wondered at that people
there Is ten months winter. II you'll
shut the door. Loreny I'll get up and
dress
Lorena closed the door.
"Floyd Jordan, what are you coming
here again fori" she burst out sud
denly.
wouldn't be very neighborly not I,
drop In with your mother sick ant
your dad away, would it?"
Didn't tell you that l never woult
speak to you again and that neve
wanted to see your she said flercely
taking few steps toward him. Ever
In that critical moment, with her eye!
blazlng unjust and unreasonable anger
the miners heart throbbed acknOwl
edgment of the tall, plant. reedlils,
grace before him.
Eyes, Lorena, but | have just lit
tie hope that you don't always NEAR
what you say"
Don't you think ] mean Il 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"
II never said 1t In that way Some
one has garbled my words to suit theIr
own purpose. Why, I've loved you
from the first time l ever set eyes on
you. I've been thinking OF building O
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 go 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 50 easily. ia rather die than
marry you, Floyd Jordan"
Il 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 doneY demanded her mother,
iimping into the room In her stocking
feet you knows well Ms l do that
Floyd never said nothing TO nobody
about you The Blake girls made II
all up, Jealous cause you'd caught the
likeliest young Teller IN the camp
You've driven him away for good this
time. Hell keep his word he always
does and go to the States"
She rc-entered the bedroom for her
shoes, and Lorena stealthily opened the
door ana looked after her lovers re.
treating figure. He had almost reached
the bluff. If lie passed 1t she knew
she would never see him again. Some
thing stirred In her throat. The long
stretch Of trail that ran away through
the dreary landscape seemed like her
life, and Floyd was going out of II.
Her heart yearned for him. What
would her life be without him?
"Loreny, where are your called Mrs.
Farrell, emerging from the bedroom
fully shod. The girl was not In the
room. Her mother opened the door and
Hooked out, but wall of whlrling
white met her vision.
"My GodP' she gasped. "The chlld's
gone after him."
She knew the risk. All morning the
storm had been brewing, and now II
Numbered by, veritabie blizzard, the
sort that swoops down on the northwest
territory as late as June and as early
as August. 1t eompels the settler to
lstring wire from house to stables; II
sets men circling in the snow, 1t catch
les little children coming home from
school and buries them In monstrous
drift.
A knock sounded on the door, and
Floyd entered, noisily stamping the
snow from his feet.
"rhought I'd come back and have an
other talk with Lorena," he began.
ooh, Floyd, she's gone after you.
cried the distracted woman, wringing
her hands. Il saw her footprints point
Ing toward the bluff. She got sorry
right after you left"
.I'll find her." said Floyd quickly.
Don't worry" And he dashed back
Into the storm.
When Lorena softly closed the kltch-
en- door she could justisee Floyd round
ing the bluff
Floyd! oh, Floyd, scome back" she