Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-11-29

| exclamdtlOH III lHuidu Womdu EeSdTu-
ed them round eyed.
Were all right this time," observed
Emerson. "It's store" Then to the
woman he said briefly. 1--WE want a
bed and something to eat"
On every side the walls were shelved
with merchandise, while the counter
carried a supply of clothing and skins,
"What you wantT demanded the
squaw.
Boyd and Fraser. divesting them
selves Of their furs, noticed that she
was little more than n girl-a native
undoubtedly.
"Food. Sleepw Boyd replied.
you can't stop here" the girl as
serted firmly.
"Oh. yes. we can." said Emerson.
The squaw called, "Constantinew
The tall figure Of man emerged. ad
vancing swiftly.
1t was the copper hued native who
had rescued them from the river ear
lier in the day. The Indian girl broke
into n torrent Of excited vOlubility.
you no stop here" said Constan.
tine Making toward the outer door.
he flung II open.
"We've come II long way and were
tired" Emerson argued. He faced the
Indian with his back to the stove, his
voice taking ON determined note.
I'VE won't leave here until we are
ready. Now tell your 'klootch' to get
us some supper. Quick!'
A soft voice from the rear Of the
room halted the advancing Indian.
Constantine" ii said.
The travellers whirled to see, stand
ing out in relief against the darkness
Of the passage whence the Indian had
just come IA few seconds before, the
golden haired girl OF the storm to
whom they had been indebted for their
rescue. She advanced. smiling pleas
antly.
"These iuen no stop herev' cried Con
stantine violently.
"I-I-beg pardon" began Emerson.
I'VE didn't intend to take forcible pos
session. but we're played out-we've
been denied shelter everywhere-we
felt Desperate
She addressed the Indian girl in
Aleut and signaled to Constantine, at
which the two natives retired.
"We're glad Of an opportunity to
thank you for your timely service this
Afternoon" said Emerson.
"Oh, that was nothing. I've been ex-
pecting you hourly. You see. Constan-
tines little brother has the measles.
and had to get to him before the ma
tives could give the poor little fellow
q Russian bath and then stand him out
In the snow. They have only one
treatment for all diseases"
IF your-er-father"- The cir!
shook her head.
Then your husband-I should like to
arrange with him to hire lodgings Tor
few days. The matter Of meney"-
Again sue came to his rescue.
81 am the man Of the house. I'm
boss here. You are quite welcome to
stay as long as you wish. Constantine
objects to my hospitality and treats all
strangers alike, fearing they may be
company men,"
1--WE throwed a Swede out on bis
neck" declared Fraser. swelling with
conscious Importance, land guess
he's Grabbed us with the other square
heads"
"Oh, no! They have instructions not
to harbor any travellers. It's as mucl
as his Job Is worth for any of them to
entertain you. Now, won't you make
yourselves at home while Constantine
attends to your dogs? Dinner will
soon be ready"
He murmured "Gladly" and then
lost himself In wonder at this wei
gowned girl living amid such surround
ings. Undeniably pretty, graceful II
her movements, bearing herself witt
certainty and poise, who was she
Where did she come from? And wha
In the world was she doing here?
He became aware that "Fingerless'
Fraser was making the introductions
"This Is Mr.. Emerson. My name Is
French. I'm one of the Virginia
Trenches, you know. Perhaps you
have heard Of them. No? Well. they're
the real thing"
Emerson forestaled her acknowl
edgement by breaking In roughly:
His name isn't French at all
madam; it's Fraser-'Fingerless' Fra
ser. He's an utterly worthless rogue
and absolutely unreliable, so far as
can learn. picked him up on the ic'
I'm Norton sound with q marshal at hi:
heels"
"That marshal wasn't after me,
stoutly denied Fraser, quite unabash
ed. "Why, he's friend Of mine
we're regular chums. Everybody
knows that. He wanted to give me-
some papers to take outside, that's
ALL"
Boyd shrugged his shoulders indif
ferently:
Warrants"
Their hostess, greatly amused. pre-
vented any further argument by say
ing:
81 suppose you are bound for tn
States"
"Yes. We intend to catch the mai
boat at Katmai. am taking Erase
along for company. It's hard travel
Ing alone In a strange country. He'
nuisance, but he's rather amusing a
times"
81 certainly am," agreed that cheer
full person. now fully at his ease.
BY and by the girl rose, and afte
showing them to a room she excused
herself on the score Of having to Sc
to the dinner When she had with
drawn "Fingerless" Fraser pursed hi
thin lips into a rolsel,ss whistle, thel
observed:
"Well, I'll-be-cussed"
CHAPTER II.
OC.lHO Is she?" asked Emerson.