Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-10-09

Of splendid stream was heard. But
still the supervisor kept his resoiutf
way, making no promises as to dinner
though his daughter called: WED bet
ter go into camp at Beaver lake.
hope you're not starved" she called to
Wayland
"But | am" he replied so frankly
that she never knew how faint be real
" was. His knees were trembling with
weakness, and he stumbled dangerous
" as he trod the loose rocks In the
path.
They we're all afoot now descending
swiftly, and the horses romped down
the trail with expectant haste. so that
In less than an hour from timber line
they were back into the sunshine of
the lower valley. and at 3 o'clock or
thereabouts they came out upon the
bank of an exquisite lake. and with a
CHEEKY shout McFarlane called out,
'Here we are. out of the wilderness"
Then to Wayland. "Well. boy, how did
you stand it?'
"Just middling." replied Wayland,
reticent from weariness and with Joy
of their camping place.
With businesslike certitude Berrie
unsaddled her horse. turned him loose
and lent skilful hand at removing
the panniers from the pack animals,
while Wayland. willing, but little I'M
certain, stood awkwardly about Un-
der her instruction he collected dead
branches of a standing fir, and from
these a few cones kinded a blaze,
while the supervisor hobbIed the horses
and set the tent.
One by one the principles of camping
were taught by the kindly old rancher,
but the hints which the girl gave were
quite as valuable. for Wayland was
eager to show her that be could be
and intended TO be a forester Of the
first class or perish in the attempt
McFarlane went further and talked
freely of the forest and what 1t meant
to the government. "Were all green
at the work. he said, "and we old
chaps are only holding the fort against
the thieves till you youngsters learn
how to make the best use of the do
main."
Berrie was glowing with happiness.
Lets stay here till the end OF the
week." she suggested. 1--we always
wanted to camp on this lake, and now
Pm here want time to enjoy it."
"We'll stay day or two" said her
father. "but | must get over to that
ditch survey which is being made at
the head Of Poplar. and then Moore
is coming over to look at some timber
on Porcupine."
The young people cut willow rods
and went angling at the outlet Of the
lake with prodigious success. The wa
ter rippled with trout, and in half an
hour they had all they could use for
supper and breakfast, and, behold, even
as they were returning with their spoil
they met covey Of grouse strolling
leisurely down to the lakes edge. isn't
1t wonderful placer? exclaimed the
happy girl 81 wish we could stay n
month"
ITS like being on the Swiss Family
Robinson's island never was more
content" he said ferventIy 81
wouldn't mind staying here all win
ter"
II wouldr' she laughed. THE snow
falls four feet deep up here. It's like.
ly there's snow on the divide this min
ute, and camping in the snow isn't so
funny. Some people got showed in
over at Deep lake last year. and near
ly all their horses starved before they
could get them out This is fierce
old place In winter time"
AS the sunset came on the young
people again loitered down to the wa.
ters edge. and there, seated side BY
side on rocky knoll, watched the
phantom gold lift from the willows
and climb slowly to the cliffs above
while the water deepened in shadow
and busy muskrats marked its glossy
surface with long silvery lines. Mis-.
chievous camp birds peered at the
couple from the branches of the pines
uttering sadrcal comment, while
squirrels, frankly insolent dropped
cones upon their heads and barked In
saucy glee.
Wayland forgot all the outside world,
forgot that he was studying to be a
forest ranger, and was alive only to
the fact that in this most bewitching
place, in this most enhancing hour, he
had the companlonship of a girl whose
eyes sought his with every new phase
IT %NI W m