The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-08
1Conttnusd.0

- considered for a little before I spoke. Linda, have you really sent for me to try to persuade your father that 1t would be wiser for him not to go to KaImacks2r
 Linda's lip curIed scornfully. eT should not put it just like thatl I can imagine fathers answer if You did. I'm afraid 1t win be no good letting youssay anything you don't know how.'' 2
 ssYou mean that have DO tact?1 She smiled at me. and instantly forgave her. ssWeIl, perhaps I do. but you know it is far better to be able to give help than just to talk about 1t. Father is deternined on going to Kal- naaclzs, and want you to come with US.
 asUsf I cried.
 Naturally. I'm going.' ssBut it ie absurd! -Four father wouId never allow itp,
 He can't prevent 1t, dear James" she said softly. T don't for moment suppose that even the Kalmacks people would attack woman. And father is all that have in the. world. Pm go ing"
 .sThen suppose I shall have to go too. But tell me what purpose does your father think he will serve by un- dertaking this very risky expedition P
 "He believes that the general feeling up at Kalmacks is in his favor, and the shooting Of the warden as well as the writing of this letter is the work of small band of individuals who wish to blackmail him. We will be quite a strong party, and he hopes to discover who is threatening him. By the way, didn't I hear from Sir An drew McLerrick that you had been Tn the woods all these last falls with wonderful guide who could read trails like Uncas, the last of the DeIawares, or one of those old trappers one reads of in Fenimore Gooper's novels?"
 That's true
 sfWhat is his nameg
 'sNovenber Joe"
 November Joe.'' she repeated. aI visualize him at once. 4 wtntry look ing old man, with gray goatee and piercing eyes.
 burst out 1aughing. s.It's extraor- dinary you should hit him on so well. z
 He must come too,s she com manded.
 On Friday I got Joe, whe arranged to meet us at PrtamyiIle. the nearest point on the railway to those noun tains in the heart of which the estate of Kalmacks was situated. I myself arranged to accompany the Peter # shams-
 Into the story of our journey to Prfamvtlle I need not go, bur w1ll pick up the sequence of events at the mo ment of our arrival at that enterpr1s ing town, when Linda. looking from the car window, suddenly exclaimed:
 Look at that magnificent young manf'
 which one7,, I asked innocently as I caught sight of NoYember's tall fig ure awaiting us.
 How many men in sight answer my description ?'' she retorted. s'Of course l mean the woodsmsn. Why, he's coming this way. must speak to him"
 Before could answer she had jump ed lightly to the platform and. turning to Joe with a childIike expression in her blue eyes. said:
 .fOh, can you tell me how many min utes this train stops hereg'
 .sIt don't generally stop here at all. but they Jagged her because they're expecting passengers Can help you any, miss?''
 .'It's very kind of you''
 At this moment appeared from tine car. Hello, Joe!'' said I. How are thingsY
 "All. right, NIT Quaritch. There's two slick bpckboards with pair Of horses to each waiting and wagon cite fit for the king O Russia. The l road between this and the mountains i, is flooded by beaver working in a back water bout ten miles out, They say we can drive through all right Miss Petersham needn't fear getting too | wet"
 How do you know my name?" ex claimed Linda.
 "I heard you described, mfss,'' re- piled Joe gravely.
 Linda looked at me. ! Good for the old mossbackr' said I. |
 Her lips bent into a sudden smile. .'You must be MT. November Joe. I have heard so much of you from Mr. Quaritch.''
 We went out and loaded our bag gage upon the waiting buckboards. One of these was driven by a small, saIlow faced man. who turned out to be the second game warden, Puttick.
 MT. Petersham asked how Bill Worke. the wounded man, was pro gressing.