Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-21

Tor the time, and he was anxious I
walk In the forest and visit his wife
grave. Barbara invented dozen ex
cuses to keep him away from tn
white spruce.
Seven mornings she saw the reflec
tion of the rising sun on the western
mountain SHOWS.
On the seventh day she took he
father and together they walked owe
the narrow trail to where the whit,
spruce had lowered. James owen ut
tered an astonished cry as he stopped
before his wife's grave. Barbara cluns
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 five foot shaft OF marble; the
bark had been planed off until the
wood showed white us satin and as
smooth; the top was rounded, and on
the fiattened side Of the stump a hot
iron had burned brief epitaph above
Mrs. Ovens resting place. The young
hemlocks had been thinned out mntil
they formed a green semicircle about
the white shaft
"Who has done thisy' asked Owen
huskily.
Barbara told him in a 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. II am glad you liked it,"
he said simply in response to Mr..
Owens warm thanks. ut 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"
II had mother once 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; 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
encouragement 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-
croacLing lumbermen or wandering
focks 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
ful 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. a sound Of blows on wood,
a silence and then q crashing tearing
sound close at hand. Somebody shout
ed wildlyeandpushedB 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 brnnchea
A tree had fallen in an unexpected
and BENJAMIN Charters
quickness had probably saved Mr..
Owen and his daughter from injury. IL
not death. When the tree was re-
moved by the score Of Iaborers that
sprang into view Charter was quite |
He was carried into the camp on the
and one Of the men rode
madly away to the distant settlement
for q doctor. In the meantime Bar
bara and her fother did what they
could. The forester opened his eyes
upon their anxious faces. Il
II am glad you are safe." he said
teebly.
"You saved my worthless life and
Barbara's precious one," said Owen
II wish could reward you,
Charter. You have been a friend In
Iced to me-"
II wish you would give me Bar
PARA" said Charter, with more
strength. II haven't got very much,
1ut can take care of her and make
ler comfortable"
"what do you say. Bab?" asked her
'ather.
Barbara's face, bent above the In
ured mans, was sufficient answer.
"You needn't wait till I'm gone to
,e happy" suggested Mr.. Owen after
he doctor had come and pronounced
charters injuries to be slight-more
iainful than dangerous. you can get
married. as soon as you are well
nough to hobble around and find a