The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-06-26
IT HAD TO HAPPEN
BY JEAN pIckERsoN.

| DdChWOOub girl OUT LueTe anu marry
her." sighed divers married sister.
oliver Penfield laughed heartily.
MY dear Dot, you have wrong
Idea CT the Northwest forest pre-
serves! They are not the scene of
garden parties, or picnics, or pink teas
Il doubt II see 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.
II never wanted you to marry any
one except Sylvia Braitling," she said.
"She was my dearest friend-almost a
sister, in fact"
"Never-I deny that my attentions
to Miss Braitllng 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 stiffened into OBJ
stinacy.
Please don't talk about it, Dot" he
requested quietly. THE girl l marry
will be one that love no matter what
her social position; but I'm not look
ing for her in the forests-there won't
be any girls there to distract my at
tention. OF all the dangers that beset
me in the forests, believe me, falling
in love won't happen to mel"
Six months later, oliver Penfield
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 that
never again could he confine himself
within brick-walled communities.
Il must have breathing space" he
muttered one morning as he rode I'M
der the giant pines whose tops ap-
peaJed to touch the clear blue sky and
whose lower branches were rs feet
above his head.
ON some strong western wind there
came a subtle salt smell of the Pa
citic that lay far beyond the Cascade
range, and the smell of the sea min
gled with the scent of the pines-all
clean, healthful odors, with no hint of
defiling city smoke.
divers sure-footed horse had turned
into the narrow, steep trail that led
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 chipmunk's
hole, he stumbled, promptly sat down
ON his launches to save himself, and
so Unanswered that Oliver was neatly
catapulted over his head to fall heavily
to the ground.
divers last recollection was that
his horse wandered down the trail
alone, then darkness blotted out every
thing.
Oliver awoke in a cool, sunshiny
room, with a sewing machine near the
window. A table beside his bed held
various bottles and an electric stove,
on which something steamed. A very
modern and knowing-looking French
bulldog sat in a chair at the foot of
the bed and regarded Oliver with
friendly Dubious eyes.
Hello" said oliver feebly. 'Is this
New York-or heaven?"
A joyful rumble came from the
throat of the dog. 1t was Immediately
drowned by woman's sweet voice.
Hush, Pedro!"
my name isn't Pedro" protested
Oliver peevishly. please tell me what
happened"
A girl came within his range of
vision.
She was a sight for weary eyes.
Young and fresh, pink-cheeked, blue
eyed, en-haired-lovely. She wore
gown of soft pale blue material made
In the latest mode-and her glittering
hair was piled on top Of her head. In
her hands she carried a cup Of some
steaming liquid.
Please don't come any nearer"
begged Oliver; Just stand there and
let me look at you-thanks! Hobble
skirt and all-it's the loveliest cos
tune I've seen since left New York!
And before left l was bitter enemy
of the present fashions. Absence truly
makes the heart grow fonder!"
The girl cast startled glance at
him and stepped to the door. DO
hurry, dad" she whispered; hes de-
lirious."
"Tm not" protested Oliver; but
I've been in the forest for six months
and thought I'd stepped into Broad
way"
Nonsense" laughed the girl. with a
note of relief in her voice. "You are
within 300 yards of the forest now.
Here. drink this"
This" proved to be a nauseous mess
which Oliver meekly drank while the