The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-11-27
UNDER THE HEMLOCKS
BY LOUIS MERRlFlELD.

the river trail. For the minute he haG
forgotten all about "Hemlocks," the
timber and rock bungalow that had
been closed for two years.
Man come back" he said briefly
over one shoulder to his Shoshone
guide.
mo man, squaw," answered the In
dian. Girl squaw."
you have been up there?"
See team go by"
He knew by the dropping Of Lame
Bears eyelids how useless it was to
get any details about girl or team.
So he had turned about. sent the
guide back to his own place and ridden
up toward 'Hemlocks' alone.
She was washing when he arrived,
washing out dish towels on the table
under the hemlocks.
She lifted her head as she heard
his pony's tread.
I'm Darnton, the forest ranger
around these parts" he announced. Il
saw your fire, and just rode up to be
sure. l knew that Mr.. Martell was
not here"
Were you worried?" she asked
smiling not exactly in a friendly way,
but as if she found this official super
vision amusing. And no explanation
did she make. He went away without
finding out why she had come there, or
what connection she had with Martel
He only knew that she was an artist
and her name was June Campbell.
That had been two months ago.
Hardly day had passed since that he
had not ridden within sight of Hem
locks"
Bruce Darnton knew before the first
month was UP that all the happiness
of life lay up at "Hemlocks" for him,
and just as he was getting acquainted
fairly well, and she would ride with
him for hours through the forest
trails he loved, there had come Tawny
Phillips. Tawny had ridden many
trails. Darnton knew him as a young
California timber broker. Every once
in so often Tawney would ride through
the country, sizing up general pos
sibilities.
Tawny was wealthy, buoyant, com
radely, and most undeniably hand
some. He found his way up to Hem
locks" frequently. June liked him.
One day she took Lame Bear to task
for the way he had treated Tawny.
The Indian had come on an errand for
Darnton. and Tawny had told him to
hobble his pony for him as he slipped
from the saddle. Instead Lame Bear
had turned and sauntered away.
You were rude to my friend, Lame
Bear" she said. "Why?"
mo friend" said Lame Bear stolid-
Iy. "H@ cut, burn, kill He set fires
for revenge. Lame Bear know. He
want you for squaw. He think my
man no good, ne get girl for squaw.
Het set fires for trouble"
How do you known she asked
quickly.
Lame Bear see. You bring black
devil box. Take him pictures. yesf"
June saw what he meant. 1t seemed
unspeakable that this man who had
come to her for days, frankly wooiRg
her, sheuld really choose SO diabolical
q means Of revenge.
Lame Bear kept his word. The next
day be came and told her to get her
pony and follow him. Miles they rode
over the narrow trails. Lame Bear
told her that Tawny started fires to
keep Darnton away from "Hemlocks,"
and that he had boosted he would set
tie the ranger If he dared to go near
the lodge
All day they were gone, the girl and
the Indian When she rode back.
wearied and heartsick. and yet ex-
ultant, she lay awake hours, wishing
she might share the fight Of Bruce
Darnton against the creeping serpents
Of flame set on his track by the other
man.
She had meant 20 develop the films
and show them to Bruce the next day.
It was almost dawn when she saw tho
great rich glow Of orange overspread
Tho sky to the west of her. Tawny had
made good his threat. She dressed and
waited-her pony saddled-for the
daylight, but when the first streaks
If light came, they were clouded over
BY the mounting pillars of smoke, and
rawny himself came at a dead gallop
,owards her
He told her that Darnton was dead,
killed by a smashing tree trunk, as
ne fought the fire. He told her the
,nly way to safety lay in fight with
lin along the open trails away from
he Are. and when she stood her
he laughed, and reached for
Ter.
1t was Lame Bears bullet that
.aught him Sent by Darnton to pro-
ect the girl. and assure her the fire
vas being checked, he had watched
ilently his chance, and paid back old
cores when Tawny lost his head.
And when, hours later, Bruce rode
ID, blackened, bruised and lame, he
ound the Indian in lone vigil beside
is prisoner, with June calmly de-
,aloping the negatives that told who
ct the forest fjres.
wen take him down to the sheriff
ON orrow.'' Bruce said I'm glad to