Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-04-24

sers to his lips and waited her = salu-
tation. chaste and replete with appre-
citation.
And then from ahead came the sur
prised call Of Miss Farnsworth.
Hurry" cautioned a voice from be-
hind the clump Of greenery.
Coming" cried Bedight. turning
and forging ahead through the wood,
A pair OF pheasants arose with
drumming whirr from beside the path.
"There!" exclaimed the mayor. ac-
ccpting the birds rs the foundation
for a clever ruse, you've frightened
them away"
"oh. why didn't you tell me-" 70
preached the girl. getting a neeting
glance OF the brown beauties a. they
fioated OF through the trees.
Bedight. with the note clutched In
his hand. made reasonable apologies
for his thoughtlessness and the girl.
unsuspecting, led on. chattering de-
lightedly. 1t was a day of days to be
in the wood and youth is ever buoyant
and gay. Plainly the girl was In
.nne with the mood Of the time and
the place, and like the beattudes
about her. sought to be %congenial and
natural. The mar felt himself pleased
| with her. for he. too. loved the soil
tude and the harmonies Of the forest
Presently she sighted a scarlet tan
ager and ran ahead. Bedight, waiting
for the opportunity, unfolded the slip
Of paper. In a woman's handwriting
this warning was written:
BE CAREFUL. SHE is TRYING
TO TRAP YOU"
Bedight smiled and tucked the note
in his pocket
Miss Farnsworth was sitting upon
a fallen monarch Of the wood when
he caught up with her. In her hands
she held a lichen that had taken her
fancy. OF the party at Mine Hosts
hotel, no girl was prettier than Mar
garet Farnsworth and few as intellec-
tual. vivacity and spirit predominant
ed and as Bedight looked at her he
did not belittle her ability to make
| things interesting for him.
She sprang to her feet as he drew
near. and ran after a big brown but
terfy. Bedight sat down on the log
and waited. Suddenly he heard a
scream, the voice Of q woman in pain.
Miss Farnsworth sat upon the
| ground holding her ankle In both
hands. Her lips were tightly drawn
and her face gave evidence OF pain.
what is it?' questioned Bedight.
apprehensively, going up to her and
taking hold Of her arm.
Help me to stand" she directed.
gripping his arm.
He raised her. She let her foot
touch the ground. WINGED and toppled
toward him.
There's a wood choppers cabin
just ahead" she groaned. Could
could you carry me there?" blusfing.
For answer he picked her up In his
arms. She threw her arms about his
neck and chung to him, her hair
brushing his cheek In sight Of the
hut she whispered:
wait! Let me down a minute"
She stood leaning against him, her
full, ripe lips teasingly near. For a
moment as he looked into her faith
omless eyes, Bedight felt the weak
ness of man for woman coming over
him. To combat 1t, he moved farther
away, supporting her at arms length.
1T would be well to leave me at the
cottage and go back for help. Look
inside, please, while ! lean against
| this BIRCH" she directed.
There's probably a burglar in the
woodbox or a man under the bed
he said laughingly. as he started
toward the cottage.
The mayor stood for a moment
upon the threshold and then entered.
As his form disappeared within. there
appeared around the corner Of the
cabin a mantle game warden OF
Lakeville, In a %twinkling he had
slammed shut the door and thrown
a great bar across 1t from without
There, darn ye; ! told ye I'd git
vel" he beloved with radiant POM
posity.
Bedight turned angrily as the door
closed and realized too late that the
warning given along the trail had not
safeguarded him. He was a prisoner.
Peering through the dirty window
pane, an aperture not large enough to
permit the passing Of a mans body.