The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1914-10-22

that there was no provision, nor means
Of making a camp. But, unluckily, the
Innocent met this objection by assur-
ing the party that he was provided
with an extra mule loaded with pro-
visions and by the discovery OF rude
attempt at q l0ghouse near the tran.
.Piney can stay with Mrs. Oakhurst.
said the Innocent. pointing to the
Duchess, land can shift for myself
Nothing but Mr. Oakhurst's admon-
ishing foot saved Uncle Billy from
bursting into roar Of laughter. AS 1t
was, he felt compelled to retire up the
canyon until he could recover his grav-
ity. There he confided the joke to the
tall pine trees. with many slaps OF his
leg. contOrtiOns Of his face and the
usual profanity. But when he returned
to the party he found them seated by
a fire-for the air had grown strangely
chill and the sky overcast-in appar-
emily amicable conversation. Piney
was actually talking in an impulsive'
eirlish fashion to the Duchess, who
was listening with an interest and AMI
nation she had not shown for many
DAYS. The Innocent was holding forth,
apparently with equal eject to MI.
Oakhurst and Mother Shipton. who
was actually relaxing into AVAILABILITY.
ssIs this yer a id picnic" said Uncle
Billy, with inward scorn, as he sur
veyed the sylvan group, the glanclng
freight and the tethered animals In
the foreground. Suddenly an idea min
pled with the alcoholic fumes that dis
turbed his brain. 1t was apparently OF
a jocular nature. for he felt impelled to
slap his leg again and cram bis fist
into his mouth.
AS the shadows crept slowly up the
mountain q slight breeze rocked the
tops of the pine trees and moaned
through their long and gloomy aisles.
The ruined cabin. patched and covered
with pine boughs, was set apart Tor
the ladies. AS the lovers parted they
unaffectedly exchanged kiss, so hon.
est and sincere that 1t might have been
heard above the swaying pines. The
frail Duchess and the malevoient
Mother ShiptOn were probably too
stunned to remark upon this last evil
dence Of simplicity, and SO turned
without word to the hut The 6re
was replenished. the men lay down be-
fore the door and In a few minutes
were asleep.
Mr.. Oakhurst was a light sleeper.
Toward morning he awOke benumbed
and cold. AS he stirred the dying fire
the wind, which was now blowing
strongly. brought to his cheek that
which caused the blood to leave it
snow!
He started to his feet with the inten-
ton Of awakening the sleeper. for
there was no time to lose. But. turn
Ing to where Uncle Billy had been ~
ing, he found him gone. A suspicion
leaped to his brain and a curse to his
lips. He ran to the spot where the
mules had been tethered. They were
no longer there. The tracks were al
ready rapidly disappearing in the snow.
The momentary excitement brought
Mr.. Oakhurst back to the fire with his
usual calm. He did not waken the
sleepers. The Innocent slumbered
peacefully, with smile on his good
humored. freckled face; the virgin Pr
ney slept beside her Trailer sisters as
sweetly as though attended by celestial
guardians. and Mr.. Oakhurst, drawing
his blanket over his shoulders. stroked
his mustache and waited for the
dawn. It came slowly In a whirling
mist of snowflakes that dazzled and
confused the eye. What could be seen
Of the landscape appeared magically
changed. He looked over the valley
and summed up the present and future
In two words-"snowed in!'
A careful inventory Of the provi-
sions. which fortunately for the party.
had been stored within the hut and 30
escaped the felonious fingers Of Uncle
Billy. disclosed the fact that with care
and prudence they might last ten days
longer. ''That is." said Mr.. Oakhurst
soto voce to the Innocent. III you're
willing to board us. II you ain't-and
perhaps you'd better not-you can walt
till Uncle Billy gets back with provi-
sions." For some occult reason Mr..
Oakhurst could not bring himself to
disclose Uncle Billy's rascality and 20
offered the hypothesis that he had
wandered from the camp and had acci-
dentally stampeded the animals. He
dropped warning to the Duchess and
Mother Shipton. who, Of course. knew
| the facts Of their associates detection.
They'll find out the truth about us all
when they find out anything" he add
ed significantly. land there's no good
frightening them now.
Tom Simson not only put all his
worldly store at the disposal Of Mr..
Oakhurst, but seemed to enjoy tho
! prospect Of their enforced seclusfon.
well have good camp for q week.
| and then the snow'll melt. and we'll all
20 back together" The cheerful gay
ETY. Of the young man and Mr.. Oak
bursts calm infected the others. The
Innocent. with the aid Of pine boughs,
| extempOrized q thatch for the ro0fless