Morris tribune., 1914-08-07

simson from delaying further, but In
vain. He even pointed out the fact
that there was no provision, nor means
Of making 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 a rude
attempt at a DOLLHOUSE near the trail.
'Piney can stay with Mrs. Oakhurst,"
said the Innocent. pointing to the
Duchess, "and can shift for myself
Nothing but Mr.. Oakhurst's admOn-
ishing foot saved Uncle Billy from
bursting into a roar Of laughter. AS it
was, he felt compelled to retire up the
canyon until he could recover his grav
ity. There he cenfded the joke to the
tall pine trees, with many, slaps OF bis
leg, contortions of his face and the
usual profanity. But when he returned
to the party he found them seated by
a fre-for the air had grown strangely
chill and the sky 0vercast-in appar-
emily amicable conversation Piney
was actually talking in an impulsive,
/ girlish 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 effect. to Mr..
! Oakhurst and Mother Shipton, who
was actually relaxing into amiability.
els this yer id picnic?" said Uncle
Billy, with inward scorn. as be sur
veyed the sylvan group, the glancing
freight and the tethered animals in
the foreground. Suddenly an idea min
gIed with the alcoholic fumes that dis
turbed his brain 1t was apparently Of
jocular nature. for he felt impelIed to
slap his leg again and cram his fist
into his mouth.
AS the shadows crept slowly up the
mountain a 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 for
the ladies. AS the lovers parted they
unaffectedly exchanged kiss, so hon
est and sincere that it might have been
heard above the swaying pines. The
frail Duchess and the maleyOlent
1 Mother Shipton were probably too
stunned to remark upon this last EVIL
dence of simplicity, and so turned
without a word to the hut. The fire
was replenished, the men lay down be-
fore the door and in a few minutes
were asleep.
Mr.. Oakhurst was 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! 3 81
He started to his feet with the inten-
ton OF awakening the sleepers. fol-
+ there was no time to lose. But, turn
ing to where Uncle Billy had been ly.
ing, he found him gone. A suspicion
Ieaped to his brain and 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
sIeepers. The Innocent slumbere(
. peacefully, with smile on his gOoC
humored, freckIed face; the virgin Pi
, ney slept beside her Trailer sisters a!
, sweetly as though attended by celestia
guardians, and Mr. Oakhurst, drawing
. | his blanket over his shoulders, strOke(
/ his mustache and waited for thu
dawn. 1t came slowly, in a whirlinl
| mist Of snoWfakes that dazzled AMI
: confused the eye. What could be seeI
J LOT the landscape appeared magical.
changed. He looked over the vale.
> and sum med up the present and futur
3 in. two words-"sn showed i'm
) A careful inventory of the proyi
7 sions, which fortunately for the party
7 had been stored within the hut and s
!, escaped the felonious fingers Of Uncl
e Billy, disclosed the fact that with car
and prudence they might last ten day
e longer. THAT isl said Mr.. 0akhurs
e soto voce to the Innocent. IF your
i willing to board US. If you ain't-an
: perhaps you'd better not you can wal
t till Uncle Billy gets back with prov
E sions" For some occult reason MI
! OaiShurst could not bring himself t
: disclose Uncle BiIIy's rascality and S
: offered the hypothesis that be ha
i wandered from the camp and had acc
il dentally stampeded the animals H
8 dropped a warning to the Duchess an
4 Mother Shipton. who, Of course, knee
h the facts of their associates detection
j They'll flnd out the truth about us a
! when they find out anything. he add
4 ed significantly. land there's no goo
I | frightening them now FL
Tom Simson not only put all b
n worldly store at. the disposal of M
# Oakhurst. but seemed to enjoy ii
q prospect Of their enforced secIusio
u We u. ,hha yesa good camp for. wee
: and then the snow II melt. and we'll q
!, 20 back together" The cheerful ga