Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-04-08

I'll cross this field to the trees, and
then I'll go home. Alice will be sur
prised to find how well have learned
by myself" thought Dell proudly as
she skinned over the snow with all
an amateurs needless enjoyment of
the treacherous snOWShOeS.
Before she reached the forest the
ground inclined sharply to a deep gull
ly. Dell was upon the brink before
she realized the danger. Then it was
too late. Her shoe caught in a half
covered root, and she plunged down to
the bottom of the gully, where she lay
unconscious while the snow drifted 81
lently over her like pale blanket
At dusk the Appleton home was in a
frenzy of excitement. They had been
searching for Dell Pearson for four
hours, and no sign of her had been
discovered. Mr.. Appleton had tele-
phoned to the mounted police and ask
ed for assistance. and searching par
ty had set forth to look for the lost
girl.
The little file Of mounted policemen
trailed out of the avenue and separat-
ed. The troopers, under orders from
their captain, rode down to distant
points on the road with the intention
of beating back. through the forest.
Of course there was limit to the dis
lance the girl might have Travelled,
and the captain had taken this into
consideration For himself he had
oh hn of
country across which Dell had skim.
med so blithely on her new snowshoes.
And so it was the captain Of them
all who came tearing up the avenue
and into the Appleton home with 81
lent white burden in his strong arms.
He had applied restoratives as soon as
he discovered the girl, and she had
opened her eyes upon him once and
smiled drowsily before trying to re-
sumo her slumber.
Dell was revived. and before the cap
tain departed Mr. Appleton insisted
that he come to dinner the next even
ing.
He accepted the invitation, and it was
not until he had departed that the Ap-
pletons looked at one another and
laughed.
eve don't even know his name, -
they cried. But he'll come all right, >
| added young Tom Appleton sagely
He's struck all of heap with Dell
Any one could see, that with half al
eye! Jove, but he's a big chap! They
say he's brave and has no end of med
| ais
The next evening Dell was vel
| enough to come down to dinner, an(
| it was with a faint stirring of interes
! that she awaited the coming of thu
captain who had found her in the
snow. She remembered dark, strons
face bending above her own, and sht
had felt a strange confidence in hin
as he picked her up in his strong arm!
with a murmured word of pity an(
carried her home.
Dell was alone in the room when Mr.
Appleton came in from the library
where he had been entertaining th
captain since his arrival. Dell in he
white evening gown looked very Lowell,
as she arose and held out her hand t.
her rescuer. He appeared more of
giant than ever in his we'll fitting even
ing clothes, and she wondered littl
as Mr.. Appleton made the introduction
Dell, let NE present Captain Forest
Captain, I am sure Miss Pearson vii
want to thank you for saving her life
'Captain = Forest?' faltered Del
wondering.
'And-Dell Pearson? Is it possibl
you are James Pearson's daughter?
asked the amazed policeman.
''Yes- and-oh, dear, but it's yer,
amusing" dubbed Dell.
Permit me to say that it's not anus
ing to me. It's a serious NATTER" cor
rected the captain. 'I-I hope yo1
didn't see that letter l wrote to you
father"
81 did," admitted Dell as he cam
and sat beside her on the sofa, "an
I want to tell you how much fathe
and l liked the letter.
Captain Forest frowned and bit hi
lip.
at was a hard letter to write" b
said at last, ''but Tiff l had know
you first-well. pardon me, Miss Pear
son, but / must tell you the rest al
other time"
Dell's heart was futtering curiously
The remainder Of the party had enter
ed the room, and they were waitin
the summons to dinner There was
hustle Of arrival in the hall and pres
emily James Pearson was announced.
When the confusion of his greetih