Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-07-02
IT HAD TO HAPPEN
Rx LEAN p%IckERSoN.


"Oliver. I'm sure you'll meet some
backwoods girl out there and marry
her" sighed divers married sister.
Oliver Penfeld laughed heartily.
My dear Dot, you have a wrong
idea OF the Northwest forest pre-
serves! They are not the scene OF
garden parties, or picnics, or pink teas
i doubt II I see a woman while I'm
there, for my district will be on the
northernmost boundaries Of the re
serve. Believe me. Dotty, your young
brother, Oliver. the forester, will re
turn home entirely heart free and
quite ready to marry whatever nice
girl you have picked out during his
absence"
Mrs. West smiled tolerantly.
Il V wanted you to marry any.
one except Sylvia Braitling." she said,
-She was my dearest friend-almost a
sister, in fact"
Never deny that my attentions
to Miss Braitling ever approached the
danger point" protested Oliver. She
never liked me anyway" he added
cheerfully, or she never would have
married that idiot OF a Stewart as
soon as l went away to study for
estry."
Well, that's all past and over" said
his sister; but Oliver, dear. remem'
Der what / tell you. don t fall in love
with an ineligible girl: out there. you
won't meet any refined people"
divers firm jaw stifeued into OBJ
stinacy.
Please don't talk about 1t, Dot" he
requested quietly. The girl l marry
will be one that l love no matter what
aer social position; but I'm not look
ing for her in the forests-there won't
be any girls there to distract my al
tention. or all the dangers that beset
me in the forests. believe me, falling
in love won't happen TO me-"
Six months later, Oliver Pentield
was of the same opinion. Many weeks
of patrolling the northwestern forests
had weaned him entirely away from
the life of the cities. He felt tina,
never again could he confne himself
within brick-walled communities
divers sure-footed horse had turned
into the narrow. steep trail that lee
down the mountain side toward the
eastern boundary of the reserve. He
had covered many miles since daylight
that morning and he was growing very
weary. His foot slid into a chipmunk's
hole, he stumbled, promptly sat down
on his launches to save himself, anG
so Unanswered that Oliver was neatly
catapulted over his head to fall heavily
to the ground.
Oliver awoke in a cool, sunshiny
room, with d sewing machine near the
window. A table beside his bed helc
various bottles and an electric stove
or which something steamed. A very
modern and knowing-looking French
bulldog sat in a chair at the foot o.
the bed and regarded Oliver witt
friendly dubious eyes.
Hello, said Oliver feebly. is thi.
New York-or heaven"
A girl came within his range O
vision.
She was a sight for weary eyes
Young and fresh, pink-cheeked, blue
eyed. golden-haired-lovely.
Please don't come any nearer.
begged Oliver; lust stand there anC
let me look at you-thanks! Hobbl,
skirt and all-it's the loveliest cos
tune I've seen since / left New York
And before ! left ! was a bitter enem,
OF the present fashions. Absence trul.
makes the heart grow fonder!"
The girl cast a startled glance a
him and stepped to the door. Ok
hurry, dad" she whispered; hes de
lirious."
I'm not protested Oliver; blu
I've been in the forest for six month!
and ! thought Id stepped into Broad
way"
Nonsense" laughed the girl, with
note OF relief in her voice. You arr
within 300 yards of the forest now
Here, drink this"
This" proved to be a nauseous mesl
which Oliver meekly drank while the
girl sill her arm under his pillow
and lifted his head.
Thank you," he said as his nurse
stepped back.
Some one entered the room. i
proved to be a tall, elderly Ia OF be
nign c~ountenance, dressed in flame
shirt with corduroy trousers tuckec
into woodsman's boots
"Delirious, did you say. MANI" ht
asked In a low tone.
81 thought SO at first, dad" said the
girl. Now I'm not sure. He talks oil
hobble skirts and Broadway"
The man laughed pleasantly.
"T don't wonder, honey" He moved
to the side Of the bed and looked down
at the young man. Feeling better, my
friend?" he asked heartily. You hat
a nasty tumble"
Thanks, I'm feeling better every
moment" Oliver tried to sit up ant
his new acquaintance slipped another
pillow under his head. please tel
me-" went on the young forester, how
1t happened that ] am indebted tc
your kindness"
We'll, It's q short story" smiled the
other, sitting down on the edge Of the
bed. MY name is Benson spend