The Bossier banner., 1912-10-17

ne was conscious or warm pressure
against his arm as the girl signified
that they were to cross. His perplex-
ity increased. On the farther shore
the forest came down to the rivers
edge in black wall of spruce and bal
sam. Beyond that edge of the wilder
ness he knew that no part of Prince
Albert intruded. 1t was possible that
across from them was a sQuatter's cab
In, and yet If this were so and the girl
was going to it why had she told him
that she was stranger in the town?
And why had she come to him for the
assistance she promised to request of
him instead Of seeking it Of those
whom she knew?
"You told me you were stranger"
he said. You seem pretty well ac-
quainted over here. Where are we go-
ingY'
This time she responded with in 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 it. Its hard
crust bore the marks Of the slelges
of Jean Croisset and the men from the
Lac Ia 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.
| HOwland had heen told this II. the
| hotel. and he 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 ht, face
an expression of tender entrraty. Of
pathefic grief that the soft lips were
| rOwerleSs to voice the words which
she wished to speak Then suddenly
/
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 II out in the elusive starlight
Camp he cried. strengthening him-
self. "nn you mean to say you're
camping out here:"
Ehe nodded again and again. delight
ell that he understood her There was
something 80 childishly sweet in her
face. in the Cladness Of her eyes. that
Rowland stretched ont both bis hands
to her. ian.hin. aloud "Yeu" he ex-
claimed You. camping ont here"
With Il quick little movement she c,me
to him. still laughing with her eyes
and lips. and for III instant lie held
both her hands ti.hi in his own Her
lovely face was dangerously near to
him. He felt the touch IF h"r 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
draamed of face IKE thfs. so near to
him that 1t sent the blood leiping
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 breath
he felt her against his breast. III that
: moment he forgot all sense Of time and
place: forgot his old setback How.
land practical. unromantic. master
builder Of railroads: forgot everything
bnt this presence Of the girl. the warm
pressure against his breast. the lure
of the great brown eyes that had eome
so unexpectedly into his life. In an
other moment he had recovered him
, aelf He drew a step back. freeing
the girls hands.
= IL beg your pardon" be said softly
, His cheeks burned hotly at what ht
had done. and. turning squnrely ahnut
4 he strode mp the trail, He had no
: taken dozen PAGES when far ahead %
J him he saw the red glow Of Il tire
!. Then hand caught his arm. clu'rhin:
Continued on Page -Four.