The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-22
IN OLD BILLS CAMP


l determined TO come and find you.
Mr.. Allen took me into his home
when ] arrived and promised to And
you for me. He says he has known
you Tor years. grandfather"
The old guide nodded repeatedly as
II just coming to a realization Of
what had taken place. His own
grandchild had come to live with him
his daughter Bellies child! 1t SEEM
ed incredible but there she stood, a
living proof Of the truth--for Isa-
bel was like her dead mother.
Well. well. let's get some supper
end celebrate" the old guide began,
turning to the others. His heart was
TOO full for further words with the
girl; there would be time enough for
that
Frank Allen rubbed his hands to-
gether in front of the stove. ''In that
basket there is' enough plain food for
week and with the aid of your
venlson. Old Bill. I guess we'll make
out. These boys are starved and /
promised them II they'd drive us out
here they should have such q dinner
as they've never had in camp before"
Old Bills eyes twinkled. "Tll show
them some venison steaks that will
make your word good to them and
III make some OF Old Bill's corn
bread" the guide added. laughing. as
he went about the cook shack getting
down pots and pans. Isabel. you'll
fire made in the little camp out yon-
der. II you will stay, that's your
home from this minute"
Isabel looked out of the tiny WIN
dow at the adjoining cabin of logs
1t was piled high with snow banks
to keep out the cold, they told her.
II a-little shudder passed through her
at the thought OF sleeping out there
she did not give evidence OF It. She
was brave and she had promised her
mother.
Old BilPs camp rang with merrt-
ment that night as the Ave sat around
the red-covered table and ate Of the
guides cooking and welcomed to the
camp the pretty Western granddaugh-
ter.
The visitors were not long on their
way the next morning before Isabel
and her grandfather were out making
footpaths In the snow and exploring
The girl took readily to the cold
weather ana helped to make her little
cabin comfortable The guide had
Inade great IRE for her In the stove
and she had unpacked the few home
like things she had brought with her.
DO many hunters come this way?"
asked the girl. hearing shots in the
woods far or.
"Yes-plenty." replied the guide
1t is a good season for DEER
And even as they sat at supper that
night they heard knock at the
cook room door.
Come in" reared Old Bill, with
~ ia ~.
OF the woods.
tired. flung open the great door. He
sank into chair. exhausted.
Old Bin rose hastily and went to
him. LOST" he asked, unbuttoning
the mans fur coat.
es-I got lost from my party
this morning and have been tramp
Ing ever since. l saw your light"
lucky light for you. my boy
said Old Bill. in kindly tones. Come
over and have supper with me and
my-granddaughter." he said
And after q while when the man
was warmed and had become rested.
he joined them.
This often happens, Isabel. my
girl, explained the old man. 80
don't be surprised. I've been re-
fuKe Tor many lost hunter
You've been mine" indeed" added
the grateful man as he drank the cof-
Zee Isabel had heated for him.
When Isabel went 70 her lonely
little cabin that night 1t did not seem
lonely. In all that great dense snow
covered forest she did not feel alone.
| Something told her that she would
| never feel alone again and though 1t
was year later that she realized lust
what had taken place on that night.
she felt at peace with all the world,
Just now. and slept
ana Old Bill still has his camp,
put II - enlivened during fishing and
hunting season by visits from his
granddaughter and the husband he
gave shelter to on one cold December
night.