The Falls City tribune., 1909-01-22

While It's burning out you can put I'm
time gathering ring grass and leaves
for a bed"
Would You and Mr.. Winthrope
mind breaking off some bamboos for
me2"
what for"
Miss Leslie colored and hesitated-
Il should like to divide off a corner
of the place with a wall or screen"
Winthrope tried to catch Blake's
eye; but the American was gazing at
Miss Leslie's embarrassed face with a
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
therell be no hurry over it. Until tho
rains begin. Win and I'll sleep in
the open. Well have to take turn about
on watch at night, anyway. II we don't
keep up a fire some other spotted kitty
will be 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.
MIR. Blake she called. in n low
tone; "one moment. please. Would il
save much bother If a door was made
and you and Mr.. Winthrope should
sleep inside?'
We'll see about that later" replied
Blake. carelessly.
The girl bit her lip. and the tears
started to her eyes. Even Winthrope
had started off without expressing him
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-
house. she preferred to name il to her.
self-in n habitable condition. When
the purifying fire had burnt itself out,
leaving the place free from all odors
other thar the wholesome smell of
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 a few
yards distant. and after many trips,
with her palm-leaf hat for bowl, tho
girl carried enough water 10 sprinkle
all the powdery ashes. Over them
she strewed the leaves and grass which
she had gathered while the fire was
burning. The driest of the grass, ar
ranged In a far corner, promised A
more comfortable bed than had been
her lot for the last three nights.
During this work she had been care
full not to forget the fire AT the tree.
Yet when, near shutdown, she called
the third meal of leopard meat. Blake
grumbled at the tree for being what hs
termed such a c%onfounded tough prop
%osition.
Good thing there's lots OF wood
here, Win" he added. Well keep this
fire going till the blamed thing top.
pies over, If II takes a year
ooh, but you surely will not stay
so far from the baobab tonight" ex.
claimed Miss Leslie.
Hold hard,' soothed Blake. You've
no license to get the jumps yet q
while. Wen have another fire by thu
~ ~
A few minutes later they went back
to the baobab, and Winthrop began
helping Miss Leslie to construct a
bamboo screen in the narrow entrance
Of the tree-cave, while Blake built
the second fire.
AS WINTHROP was unable to tell
time by the stars, Blake took the first
watch. At sunset, following the en-
g%ineer's advice, Winthrope lay down
with his feet to the small watch-fire,
and was asleep before twilight had
deepened into night. Tagged out by
the mental and bodily stress of the
day, he slept so soundly. that it seemed
to him he hardly lost consciousness
when he was reused by a rough hand
on his forehead.
What is it," he mumbled.
Bout one O'clock said Blake.
Wake up! | ran overtime, cause
the morning watch is the toughest.
But | can't keep wake any longer"
Il say, this is a beastly bore" re.
marked Winthrope, sitting up.
"Um.m," grunted Blake, who was al
ready on his back.
Winthrope rubbed his eyes, rose
YEARLY, and drew a blazing stick from
the fire. With this upraised as a torch
he peered around into the darkness
and advanced towards the spring.
When. having satisfied his thirst. hs
returned somewhat hurriedly to the
fire. he was startled by the sight of a
pale face gazing at him from between
The leaves of the bamboo screen.
My dear Miss Genevieye. what ia
the matter?' he exclaimed.
Flush! Is he asleep?'
Like a top"
Thank heaven! Goodnight"
"Good-night-er-I say, Miss Gen
evieve-'