Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-06-20

CASlNkD FEET.
he was conscious OF q warm pressure
against his arm as the girl signi6ed
that they were to cross. His perplex.
ity increased. On the farther shore
the forest came down to the rivers
edge in a black wall Of spruce and bal
sam. Beyond that edge Of the wilder
ness be knew that no part OF Prince
Albert lntruded. 1t was possible that
across from them was a squatter's cab
In, and yet If this were 80 and the girl
was going to 1t why had she told him
that she was q stranger In the town.
And why had she come to him for the
assistance she promised to request OF
him instead Of seeking 1t of those
whom she knewi
you told me you were a stranger"
he said. "You seem pretty we'll ac-
uuainted over here Where are we 60
ingT
This time she responded with an en-
phatic negative shake Of her head. at
the same time pointing with her free
hand to the we'll defined trail that
wound up from the ferry landing into
the forest. Earlier in the day How
land had been told that this was the
Great North trail that led into the vast
wildernesses beyond the Saskatche-
wan. Two days before the factor from
Lac Balm. the Chippewayan and the
Crees had come in over 1t. Its hard
crust bore the marks Of the sledges
of Jean Croisset and the men from the
Lac la Ronge country. Since the big
snow, which had fallen four feet deep
ten days before. forest man had
now and then used this trail on his
way down to the edge Of civilization,
but none from Prince Albert had
Travelled 1t In the other direction.
Rowland had been told this at the
hotel. and be shrugged his shoulders In
candid bewilderment as he stared
down into the girls face. She seemed
to understand his thoughts, and again
her mouth rounded itself into that be-
witching red o. which gave to her face
an expression of tender enreaty. OF
pathetic grief that the soft lips were
powerless to voice the words which
she wished to speak. Then suddenly
she darted few steps from Howland
and with the toe Of her shoe formed a
single word In the surface Of the snow.
She rested her hand lightly on How
lands shoulder as he bent over to
make 1t out in the elusive starlight
"Camp" he cried. Strengthening him.
self. "Do you mean to say you're
camping out here?'
She nodded again and again. delight
ed that he understood her. There was
something SO childishly sweet in her
face. In the gladness Of her eyes. that
Rowland stretched out both his hands
to her. laughing aloud. you" be ex'
claimed "You. camping out here!'
With n quick little movement she came
to him. still laughing with her eyes
and lips, and for an instant he held
both her hands tight In his own. Her
lovely face was dangerously near to
him. He felt the touch OF her breath
on his face; for an instant caught the
sweet scent OF her hair. Never had
he seen eyes like those that glowed up
at him softly. filed with the gentle
starlight: never In his life had he
dreamed Of a face like this. so near to
him that II sent the blood leapinG
through his veins in strange excite
ment He held the hands tighter. and
the movement drew the girl closer to
him until for no more than a breath
he felt her against his breast In that
moment he forgot all sense Of time and
place; forgot his old setback How
land = practical. unromnntic. master
builder Of railroads; forgot everything
but this presence Of the girl. the warm
pressure against his breast, the lure
of the great brown eyes that had come
30 Unexpectedly Into his life. In an
other moment he had recovered him
self. He drew step back. freeing
the girls hands
81 beg your pardon" be said softly
His cheeks burned hotly at what ht
had done, and. turning squarely about
| be strobe up the trail. he had MOI
taken dozen PAGES when far ahead o.
him he saw the red glow Of dre
Then hand caught bis arm. ciutchini
4.
lat 1t almost flercely. and he turned e
Inject the girls face. white now with
Istrange terror.
"What Is itT' he cried Tell me-
he caught her hands again. startlet
by the look in her eyes. Quickly sh'
pulled herself away. A dozen feet be
| hind her In the thick shadows Of tn
forest trees something took shape ant
| movement. In fash Rowland saV
! a huge form leap from the gloom ant
lcaught the CLEAN Of an uplifted knife
sThere was no hme for him to leal