Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1914-06-05

pantry, Sne came Dack with ndnd
ful of crackers and sat down on q
bench which she drew up with one
motion of big foot.
Eat" she ordered peremptorily
and without more ado, began plying
the pretty pale lips with huge tin
spoon.
Presently she chafed the small
hands that were shapely and white
despite their thinness and dirt, took
OF the outer rags that served IS wraps,
brushed out the matted hair, used hot
water from the reservoir adyanta-
geously, and at last stood back and
regarded her find approyingly.
Now you ban go TO bed" she or.
dered, and picking the girl up bodily
in her strong arms, marched off to
her own room.
The next morning the men, storm
ing in under the oil-lamps, fresh from
the mist and outer darkness, red
checked and healthy, commenced their
unticing batting Of the cook.
When did you say Jim Hendricks
was coming, Hedda?" Jim Anworthy
inquired politely, for we want to give
the groom a wedding present He de-
serves it. He's brave man and no
mistake"
But Hedda did not even hear the re-
marks that at another time would have
brought anger hot in her cheeks.
She hurried through with her work
amid many trips to the mystery of
her room, and at last, in the breath
ing space between breakfast and the
beginning of dinner, she sat down by
the bed and contemplated the white
face on her spotiess pillow.
1T ban old trouble?" asked Hedda
with clumsy tact.
The girl nodded
Heart The doctor-I couldn't pay
him after lost my job-said 1 might I
have o chance if 1 could get to the /.
sea and live near it. But I'm tired 1
don't care. can't work, and how
can l live?
People look at me like was a mad
dog l wish I'd die, here and nowl
You've been so good! It'd be a good
finish. l tried hard, but l amt near
the sea yet, and ! can't work when 1
get there, and who'll help me?"
You ban awful near. Tree mile.
You go to sleep now
And nodding wisely, Hedda depart
ed into her realm.
The world-beaten bird stayed secret
ly in the cage of the rag-carpeted
room, and not a man at the lumber
camp knew that anything unusual had
happened III the lonely valley between
The ridges.
Now and then she came weakly into
he kitchen between times and sat in
me rocker and told Hedda bits of
life, an innocent, hard
working girl life
And on Wednesday that to which
Iedda had been looking forward oc-
,urred.
Jim Hendricks came down from
Quarter Greek, big and awkward in
lis logger's clothes of flannel and cor
uroys and knee-laced boots, and stood
Il the cook-shack door.
Really, Hedda?" he asked. I've
ot a packhorse, an we'll go down to
'oledo to the preacher when you're
eady. Got to take up some grub"
Aye" said Hedda, turning from her
aking board and busting her hands,
Aye ban want to talk to you. You
ONE in
He stepped gingerly in, hulking like
n elephant in a china shop. r.
YIN" said Hedda straightly, AYE o.
an change my mind" II
What? Why?"
There was disappointment in the big II
flows tone.
Vas. Aye ban want to work some
ore. Aye don't want to go into no
lis, and dot cabin of yours, it ban
10 near the sea. Dot roar, roar, it
AXE my head go round. But you 81
stem here, Yim-Aye ban got you -
ri all right"
And with a certain skill Hedda told
m the story of the waif from Salem
ho was ready to die because she
ust get to the sea aud there was no -
e to take care of her
But" began the man, but don't
ow-maybe she'd be scared o. me,
> Sh
You big fool, Vim said Hedda,
GU come along" And she led him "a.
20 the sanctum.
The girl was asleep. a white flower
fitting on the golden seaweed of her sh,
ir. -
The small sound walked her and
g opened her gray eyes full upon
n. Like twin mysteries they were, on'
ep and half-frightened and tired
to death, and they appealed like
use of lonely child.
'Why-why-you poor little thing!"
whispered in the first wonder of
akening You want-your mother" ?
sing his lumber-jack's fingers over =
tiny, clawlike hand on the patch x
rk quilt
he was not frightened. neither was
re any withdrawal from his clasp. -
-. -