Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-04-02

Owen. Her father: health improved
for the time, and he WAS anxious to
walk In the forest and visit his wife's
grave. Barbara invented dozen eX-
cuses to keep him away from the
white spruce.
Seven mornings she saw the retiec-
tion of the rising sun on the 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 astoniShcd cry as he stopped
before his wifc'S grave Barbara chung
to his arm, overcome by Il strange
emotion. She was glad that the fsr-
ester was not there to witness it,
The stump of the white spruce arose
like a five foot shaft of marble; the
bark had been plancd off until the
wood showed white as satin and as
smooth; the top was rounded, and on
the hattencd side of the stump n hot
iron had burned a brief epitaph above
Mrs. owens resting place. The young
they formed a green semicircle about
the white shaft.
"Who has done this?" asked Owen
huskily.
Barbara told him in few words
of her meeting with the young for
ester, and after awhile the two walked
over to the wagon trail in the direc-
Of hn
He saw them coming and came to
meet them. II am glad you liked it,"
he said simply in response to Mr..
Owens warm thanks. 1T was better
that we should remove the tree in a
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"
Il had a mother once myself" he re-
piled soberly
Come over to the camp and see us,
Mr. said Owen suggcStivcly.
My names Charter benjamin
Charter" said the forester quickly.
you are very kind; shall be glad to
come"
After that day James Owen i'm
proved rapidly. There would never be
hope of his complete recovery, but
return to even moderate health was an
enCOura cement to his only child. They
walked through the woods to the lit
tie hemlock circle and felt that here
was a spot they might call their own
forever.
Their walks often included search
for the foresters engaged in their in
tereSting work of conserving the ma
tive trees and guarding against en-
croaching lumbermen or wandering
hocks of sheep or devastating herds of
cattle
Benjamin Charter came to the camp
and proved an entertaining Compan-
ion for father and daughter. lie play
ed cards with Mr.. Owen or read to the
invalid the week old newspapers that
came their way. He brought his VIC
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 a 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 Il new light
in them, and Benjamin Charters fin
gers trembled when he played the vio-
lin.
Then one day Barbara and her IA
ther walked i'll the forest. They had
gone along the wagon trail and were
drawing near the working foreSters.
There was a sound of blows on wood,
a silence and then a crashing tearing
sound close at hand. Somebody shout
cd 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 Mr.
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 .9f| tlNeancn rode
madly away to the distant settlement
for a doctor.~%fn the meantime Bar
bara and her father did what they
could. The forester opened his eyes
upon their anxious faces. -
y am glad you are safe,r he said
"YouL.saved my worthless life and
Barbara's precious one" said Owen
brokenly. 81 wish could reward you,
Charter You have been @Afriend in
deed to me-, ~,
Il wish you w1sld give me Bar
bara,'~ said Charter, with more
strength. Il haven't got very much,
but | can take care Of her and make
her comfortable"
what do you say, Bab?" asked her
father.
Barbara's face, bent above the in
jured mans, was sufficient answer.
You needn't wait till I'm gone to
be happy" suggested Mr.. Owen after
the doctor had come and pronounced
Charters injuries to be slight-mOre
painful than dangerous. you can get
married rs soon as you are well
enough to hobble around and find a
minister"
Thank you, SIR said Charter. His
arm was about Barbara as she knelt
hacida his pOt