The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-09-01

! eat. The cub meat proved far more
tender than that of the old leopard.
She had helped herself to the second
piece before the two men appeared.
Hold on. Miss Jenny: fair play"
sang ont Blake. You've set to with
out footing the dinner-horn. 1 don't
blame you, though. That smells mighty
Sooa."
Eot!l men caught at the hot meat
with eagcrness, and Winthrope
promptly forgot ali else in the animal
pleasure OF satisfying his hunger.
Blake. though no less hungry, only
| waited TO fill his mouth before inves-
iigating the ccndi;icn OF the p-ospeC-
tive tree ladder. The result of the
attempt to burn the trunk did not
seem encouraging to the others, and
Miss Leslie looked away. that her face
might not betray her. should he have
an iaklins Of her neglect. She was
relieved by the chcerfuinesS of his
tone.
SLOW work this fire business-eh?
Guess. though. i'll! go faster this after
neon. The green wood is killed and is
getting dried cut. Anyway. we've got
10 keep at il till the tree goes over.
This spring leopard won't last long at
the D!3scnt rate OF consumption. and
we'll need the eggs to keep lis COINS
till W" get the hang of our bcws"
What is that smoke back therc?'
interrupted Miss Leslie. Can it be
that the fire down the cleft has sprung
Up again.
No: it's your fumigatica. You haf
plenty of brush on hand. SO | heave!
It into the hole and touched it off.
While it's burning out you car put il
time gathering ring grass and leaves
for a bed.
"W Guild you and Mr. Winthrope
mind breaking Off some hamboos for
me-"
What for?"
Miss Leslie colored and hesitatcd
II should like 10 divide off I: corne.
Of the place with Il wall or screen"
Winthrepc tried to catch Blak2's
eye: but the American was gazing Il
Miss Lesiic'S embarrassed face with ::
puzzled look. Her meaning dawned
upon him. and he fastened to reply
All right. Miss Jenny. You can
build your wall TO suit yourself But
thcre'ii he no hurry over il. Until the
rains begin, Win and I'll sleep out in
the open. Well have TO take turn about
on watch at night anyway. If We don't
keep up fire some other spotted kitty
will he sure to come nosing up the
gully"
There must also be lions in the VI
entity" added Winthrope.
Miss Leslie said nothing until after
the last pieces of meat had been
handed around and Blake sprang up
to resume work.
Mr.. Blake" she called, in a low |
tone: "one moment. please. Would i;
save much bother il q door was made |!
and you and Mr.. WINTHROP should |
sleep inside?" I,
Well see about that later" replied !
Blake. carelessly.
The girl bit her lip. and the tears
Started to her eyes. Even Winthrope !
had started OF without expressing his !
appreciation. Yet he at least should |
have realized how much il had cost
her to make such an offer.
BY evening she had her tree-cave-I
house. she preferred to name it to her
seli-in habitab,e condition. When
the purifying fire had burnt itself out.
leaving the place free from all doors
other than the wholesome smell Ct
wood smoke, she had asked Blake how
she could rake out the ashes. His
advice was to wet them down where
they lay.
This was easier said than done
Fortunately the spring was only few
yards distant, and after many trips.
with her palm-leaf hat for bowl, the
girl carried enough water to sprinkle
all the powdery ashes. Over them
she strewed the leaves and grass which