The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1912-08-23
CHAPTER XII.

The Log Hut In the Mountains.
| What awakened the woman she die
not know; in all probability it was
] the bright sunlight streaming through
the narrow window before her. Tht
cabin was so placed that the sun die
not strike fairly into the room unit
1t was some hours high, consequently
she had her long sleep out entirely un
disturbed. The man had made no eff
tort whatever to awaken her. What
ever tasks he had performed since day
break had been so silently accomplish
ed that she had not been aware Of
them.
So soon as he could do so, he had left
the cabin and was now busily engaged
In his daily duties outside the cabin
and beyond earshot. He knew tina,
sleep was the very best medicine fol
her. and it was best that she should
not be disturbed until in her own good
time she awoke.
The clouds had emptied themselves
during the night, and the wind had
at last died away toward morning, and
now there was great calm abroad il
the land. The sunlight was dazzling
Outside, where the untempered rays
beat full upon the crests of the noun
tains. It was doubtless warm, but with
In the cabin 1t was chilly. The fire
had long since burned completely
away. and he had not entered the room
to replenish 1t. Yet Enid Maitland had
lain snug and warm under her blan.
kets. She presently tested her wound.
ed foot, by moving it gently, and dis.
covered agreeably that 1t was much
less painful than she had anticipated.
The treatment the night before had
been very successful. ~:
She did not get up Immediately, but
the GOODNESS Of the room struck her so
soon as she got out of bed. Upon her
nrst awakening she was hardly con.
scious Of her situation; her sleep had
been too long and too heavy, and her
awakening too gradual for any sud:
den appreciation Of the new condition.
It was not until she had stared around
the walls of the rude cabin for some
time, that she realized where she was
and what had happened. When she
did so she arose at once.
Her first impulse was to call. Never
in her life had she felt such death.
like stiffness. Even in the camp al
most always there had been a whts.
per of breeze through the pine trees.
or the chatter Of water over the rocks.
But here there were no pine trees and
no sound OF rushing brook came to
ner. It was almost painful. She was
keen to dress and 60 out of the house.
She stood upon the rude puncheon
floor on one foot, scarcely able vet to
bear even the lightest pressure upon
the other. There were her clothes on
chairs and tables before the fireplace.
Such had been the heat thrown out bv
that huge blaze that a brief inspec.
ton convinced her that everything
vas thoroughly dry. Dry or wet. she
must needs put them on. since they
were all she had. She noticed that
here were no locks on the doors. and
'he realized that the only protection |
'he had was the sense Of decency and |
he honor Of the man. That she had |
been allowed her sleep unmolested
made her the more confident on that
She dressed hastily, although It vas
he work Of some difliculty In view a.
Ter wounded foot, and Of the stir con-
lition Of her rough, dried apparels
PRESENTLY she was completely clothed
ave for that disrobsd foot. B with the
'ig clumsy bandages upon II. she coma
lot draw her stocking over It. and even
{ she succeeded II that, she could in
70 way make SHIFT to put Oh he,rl. boot
The situation was awkward. tho "a.
ltcamsnt annoying. She war wearinx
'loomers and . short skfrt for her
nountain climbing. and shs ala IA
NOW quits what to do. She thoushf "a
earring up one Of tho rion1gh. unbleach.
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