The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-04-08

before his wife's grave. Barbara chung
% his arm, overcome by a strange
emotion. She was glad that the for
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 planed off until the
wood showed white as satin and as
smooth; the top was rounded, and on
the fatteped side Of the stump a hot
iron had burned a brief epitaph above
Mrs. Owens resting place. The young
hemlocks had been thinned u until
they formed a 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 ak blows.
He saw them coming and came to
meet them. Il am glad you liked it."
he said simply in response to Mr..
Owens warm thanks. cit 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 ice myself" he re-
piled soberly. ,
"Come over to the camp and see us.
Mr. said Owen suggestively.
"My names Charter - Benjamin
Charter" said the forester quickly.
"You are very kind; 1 shall be glad to
come"
After that day James Owen i'm
proved rapidly. There would never be
hope Of his complete recovery, but q
return to even moderate health was an
encouragement to his only child. They
walked through the woods to the lit
tie hemlQck circle and felt that here
was a spot they might call their own
forever.
Their walks often included a search
for the foresters engaged in their in
terestiRge work Of conserving the ma
tive trees and guarding against en-
..croaching lumbermen orr wandering
flocks 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
ed cards with Mr.. 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 u little smaller as the season adj
vanced; the dry air was warmer and
seemed to give new life to the sick
man. Barbara's eyes had a 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 a sound Of blows on wood,
a silence and then a 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 vas
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
spyang into view Charter was quite
unconscious.
He was carried into the camp on the
precipice. and cne Of the men rode
madly away to the distant settlement
for a doctor. In the meantime Bar
bara and her father did what they
could. The forester opened his eyes
upon their anxious faces.
Il an glad YOU + SAFE" he said
feebly.
"You saved my worthless life and
Barbara's precious one" said Owen
br6,zeGly. 81 wish I could reward you,
CHARTER. You have been a friend in
deed to me-
q wish you would give me Bar
bar:a,'' sail! Charter, with more
strength. Il Invent got very much,
but I can take care Of her and make
her, comfortable"
what do you say, Baby" asked her her
fatler.
Barbara's face, bent above the In
iurea 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 tina .dangerous. you can get
married as soon us you are well
enough to Mobile around md find O.
minister &s5 ita
THANK you, SIR" said Charter. His
arm was about Barbara as she kanc.lt
begiGe his c9t.
II suppose you know who you're
marrying resumed Owen, with q
twinkle in his eyes.
barbara owen, the sweetest girl in
the world returned Charter prompt
II. SD
owelns laughed softly. Barbara
owen. haugAter ssof james Herktmer