The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-05-29

back 10 Neu FORK Tor anything you re-
quirp."
Thank YOU" she said briefly. "Fol-
low me, please"
Soon they emerged into small clear
ed space. where the embers of fire
glowed sullenly in Il stone faced hole
before a small group of tents.
The girl tossed pine knot on the
fire and fastened back the flaps Of one
OF the tents. She lighted lantern and
hung it from the tent pole.
"COme in. please" she said hnrriedly
to Linn.
He bent his tall head and entered
1t was sparsely furnished with mar
row cot, some empty boxes, covered
with rugs; folding camp table and
some leather travelling cases piled In
one corner.
On the cot was the gaunt form Of an
old man. His white hair framed IL del
icate. wrinkled face. whose black eyes
stared piercingly at the stranger.
Joyce. who is that MANI he de-
manded feebly
InC Siil iulu hhhu vi hio WV
head.
HE is friend | found I'm the forest
father" she soothed him. He has
medicine case. and I'm sure he has
something that will do you good"
Linn came forward. tossed his cap
aside and sat down by the bed.
My name is Linn Ellison" he said
frankly. I'm here for the shooting.
My guide and companion is down at
my camp across the valley. Your
daughter tells me you are i'll and in
need of medicine. will do what can
for you, sir, and Baker will ride to
Red Fork for anything else you may
need"
"You are very kind" said the old
man TREMENDOUSLY. 1T is all my fault.
this predicament. Not a word. Joyce.
my dear Let me tell Mr. Ellison how
l decided to prolong my stay here and
how l persuaded you to spend the win
ter here and how | have been i'll with
fever and how all my men have desert
ed me and taken money and supplies
with them. and
Take some stimulant first and tel
me the story afterward." urged Linn,
opening the medicine case and taking
out quinine and some compressed beef
tablets.
Joyce brought a cup of hot water
from small spirit stove. and presently
the sick man was gratefully slipping
the Strong beef tea.
When he had finished he SAID with
faint smile:
''Mr Ellison. if told you that was
Alexander McOlin would you be any
the wiser for that informatiUn!"
DIR. Sandy McOln!" cried Linn in
credulously. why. sir. your wonder
full book is my closest companion. and
only this evening | was wondering
over your disappearance. What good
luck" He clasped the thin hand in
both his own strong brown ones.
! Dr. McOlin. struggled to sit up, and
Linn placed an arm under the bowed
shoulders.
THE book" repeated the doctor ex
citedly. ''Is the book really out? 1
haven't seen it yet"
If you will compose yourself to
Sleep sir, will have my copy of your
book here by daylight"
When the regular breathing assured
them that Dr. McOlin was indeed re-
ceiving the rest that he needed the
girl and the man who had met only
brief hour ago passed out of the tent
and stood before the campfire. In a
moment the girl spoke:
You are the first one who has hap
pened this way for six months. l have
had to depend upon my gun for much
of our food. My meeting you tonight
was the most wonderful blessing that
could have happened. Many Of the
people hereabout are afraid to come to
the mountain. There is Il tradition
that it is strongly magnetized. and of
course fathers investigations have in
Il measure confirmed the story, only
there is nothing alarming about the
fact; it is merely interesting But
after father had sent the last pages Of
his book manuscript to New York he
COuCelNeu the lue.t OI TeIllulI'luS here
for the winter and pursuing his inves-
legations. The result is that we bave
been here alone ever since the first
month. when the six men who COM
posed the party robbed my father OF
money and provisions and deserted us.
leaving us with few stores and not
even one pack horse. You can imagine
our plight"
She smiled bravely into Inns eyes.
Il am most happy that it is now
over" said Linn. dizzy with the glance
of her wonderful eyes.
The pink dawn was breaking above
the distant ranges when Baker. pale
and anxious, saw Linn Ellison come
crashing through the thicket into their
camp.
What i'm thundera ton he was
beginning heaiedy. when Linn held up
Il protesting hand.
"Mngnet moVntain did it," said that
happy young man rs he threw himself
down before the fire.
Magnet mountain" repeated Baker.
staring at him. "Do You mean to say
you've been up OF the mountaiD!"
"I've been there" returned the other.
"And found the magnet. | supposeT
"And discovered the greatest attrac-
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