Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-09-10
Know Won are properlv sheltered {"

time she shared the same roof with
her lover. But the nurse was upper
most in her now.
Nash was the first to arise in the
dusk of dawn, and Berrie, awakened
by the crackle of his fire, soon Joined
him.
IF you'll round up our horses, Mr..
Nash, I'll rustic breakfast and We'll
get going" she said.
Nash, enthralled, fingered while she
twisted her hair into place, then went
out to bring in the ponies.
Wayland came out little uncertain
ly, but looking very well. Il think
shall discourage my friends from COM
ing to this region for their health" he
said ruefully. IF | were a novelist
now all this would be grist for my
mill
Beneath his joking he was profound
ly chagrined. He had hoped by this
time to be as sinewy, as alert as Nash,
instead of which here he sat, shivering
over the fire like a sick girl, his head
swollen, his blood sluggish, but this
Encouragement only increased Bereas
tenderness-a tenderness which melted
all his reserve.
I'm not worth all your care" he said
to her, with poignant glance.
The sun rose clear and warm, and
the fire, the coffee, put new courage
into him as well as into the others,
and while the morning was yet early
and the forest chill and damp with
rain, the surveyor brought up the
horses and started packing the outfit.
In this Berrie again took part, doing
her half of the work quite as deXtrous-
ly as Nash himself Indeed, the for
ester was noticeably confused and not
quite up to his usual level of adroit
ease.
At last both packs were on, and as
they stood together for a moment Nash
said: This has been great experience
.-one l shall remember as long as l
live"
She stirred uneasily under his frank
admiration. I'm nightly obliged to
you" she replied, as heartily as she
rOuld command.
Don't thank me, Pm indebted to
fou. There is so little in my life of
such companionship as you and Nor
cross give me-"
He helped Norcross mount his horse,
and as he put the lead rope into Ber-
rie's hand he said with much feeling:
Good luck to you. shall remember
this night all the rest Of my life, Miss
Berrie."
II hate to be going to the rear" call
ed Wayland, whose bare, bandaged
head made him look like a wounded
young Officer But l guess it's better
for me to hay off a week or two and
recover my tone"
And so they parted, the surveyor rid
ing his determined way up the naked
mountain side toward the clouds, while
Berrie and her ward plunged at once
into the dark and dripping forest be-
low. IF you can stand the grief" she
said, wei! go clear through"
Her caution was all for him. She
tried each dangerous slough first and
thus was able to advise him which
way was safest. His head throbbed
with pain and his knees were weary,
but he rode on.
At last they came into open ground
on high ridge and were gladdened by
the valley Outspread below them, for
If still radiant with an1nr thnI1 10Th
not as brilliant as before the rain.
At / o'clock on the bank of a clear
stream the girl halted. Il reckon we'd
better camp awhile. You look tired
and | am hungry"
She unsaddled one pack animal and
! spread some blankets on the grass
Lie down and rest while | boil some
coffee she commanded, and he obey
ed, too tired to make pretension toward
assisting.
Lying so, feeling the magic of the
sun, hearing the music of the water
and watching the girl, he regained Il
serener mood, and when she came
back with his food he thanked her fol
!
fell. Il don't see why you are so kind
to me. l really believe you like to dc
things for me-" Her head dropped tc
hide her face, and he went on: "Why
do you care for me? Tell mev'
81 don't know" she murmured. TheI
she added, with a flash of bravery
"But | do"
What mystery it all is. You turf
from splendid fellow like Landon tC
skate like me. Landon worshipS
you-you know that-don't your
Il know-he"- she ended, vaguely
distressed.
"Did he ask you to marry him?"
Eyes"
"Why didn't you? He's just the
mate for you. He's man of higl
character and education" She mad,
no answer to this, and he went on
"Dear girl, I'm not worth your care
truly, I'm not. l resented your en-
gagement to Belden, for he was {
brute. but Landon is different. H,
thinks the world of you. He'll go higl
in the service. I've never done any
thing in the world never shall.
will be better for you if I go-tomor
row."
She took his hand and pressed it t,
her cheek, then, putting her arm abou
his neck, drew him to her bosom an,
kissed him passionately. you breal
my heart when you talk like that" sh
protested, with tears "You muslin
say such gloomy things-I won't lie
you give up. You shall come RICH
home with me, and l will nurse 70,
till you are well. 1t was all my fault
81 will not have it 90 that WAY" b.