Connecticut western news., 1910-03-31

white spruce.
 Seven mornings she s2 'Ie refiec- tion of the rising suh tI, tDe western mountain SHOWS.
 On the seventh day she took her father. and together they walked over the narrow trail to where the white spruce had lowered James Owen ut tered an ustonished cry as he stopped before his wife's grave. Barbara clung to his arm. overcome by a strange emotion. She was glad that the for ester was not there to witness 1t.
 The stump of the white spruce arose like a five foot shaft of marble; the bark had been planed off until the wood showed white as satin and as smooth; the top was rounded. and on the fiattened side of the stump a hot iron had burned n brief epitaph above Mrs. Owens resting place. The young hemlocks had been thinned out until they formed Il green semicircle about the white shaft.
 "Who has done this?" asked Owen huskily
 Barbara told him in q few words of her meeting with the young for ester, and after awhile the two walked over to the wagon trail in the direc- ton of the metallic ax blows.
 He saw them coming and came to meet them. ''I am glad you liked it." he said simply in response to MT. Owens warm thanks. "It was better that we should remove the tree in shipshape manner than permit it to fall of its own accord"
 But the work you did on the stump, young man-it was more than kind of you; we are deeply grateful"
 II had n mother once myself" he re- piled soberly.
 Come over to the camp and see us. Mig said Owen suggestlvely.
 My names Charter Benjamin Charter" said the forester quickly. "You are very kind; shall be glad to come"
 After that day James Owen im- proved rapidly. There would never be hope of his complete recovery, but n return to even moderate health was an encouragement to his only child. They walked through the woods to the lit- tie hemlock circle and felt that here was spot they might call their own forever.
 Their walks often included q search for the foresters engaged in their in- tc"esting work of conserving the na- tive trees and guarding against en- croaching lumbermen or wandering fiocks of sheep or devastating herds of cattle.
 Benjamin Charter came to the camp and proved an entertaining compan- ion for father and daughter. He play cd cards with MT. Owen or read to the invalid the week old newspapers that came their way. He brought his vio- lin. and Barbara drank in the wonder full melodies woven by the brown fin- gers and the flashing bow.
 The snow caps on the mountains be- came little smaller as the season ad- vanced: the dry air was warmer and seemed to give new life to the sick man. Barbara's eyes had new light in them, and Benjamin Charters fin- gers trembled when he played the vio- lin.
 Then one day Barbara and her fa- ther walked in the forest. They had gone along the wagon trail and were drawing near the working foresters. There was q sound of blows on wood, q silence and then q crashing tearing sound close at hand. Somebody shout ed wildly and pushed Barbara and her father out of harms way, somebody who was too late himself to spring from under the falling tree and so was caught beneath the weight of heavy green branches.
 A tree had fallen in an unexpected direction. and Benjamin Charters quickness had probably saved MT. owen and his daughter from injury, If not death. When the tree was re- moved by the score of laborers that sprang into view Charter was quite unconscious.
 He was carried into the camp on the precipice. and one of the men rode madly away to the distant settlement for q doctor. Tn the meantime Bar bara and her father did what they could. The forester opened his eyes upon their anxious faces.
 "I am glad you are safe," he said feebly.
 You saved my worthless life and Barbara's precious one." said Owen brokenly. "I wish could reward you, Charter. You have been a friend in- deed to me"
 II wish you would give me Bar bara," said Charter, with more strength. 'T haven't got very much, but can take care of her and make her comfortable"
 What do you say. BabT" asked her father.
 Barbara's face. bent above the in- jured mans, was sufficient answer.
 "You needn't wait till Pm gone to be happy" suggested MT. owen after the doctor had come and pronounced Charters injuries to be slight-more painful than dangerous. You can get married as soon as you are we'll enough to hobble around and find q E-Az