Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-12-30
CHAPTER WI.


One day soon after the men returned
with word of the RATS safe delivery
into the hands of Captain Craft, San
dry, working over his books in the lit
tie office. heard strange voice with
out
oh, no." ii was saying in fresh,
sweet accepts and the very tone said
ast-"You need not wait I'm going
u stay. IL this is the Office, or head
larters of this place, I'll find whoever
is in charge. Just put my trunk ON
that pile OF timber. Be careful! Oh,
do be careful, That case contains my
typewriter, and it's more precious than
gold. There-that's right Now,
what do owe your"
There was an answer and the clink
of money. and Sandry rose just as the
office door opened 1t was the East
that confronted him, Fifth avenue it.
self, the whole inimitable metropolis
refined into one woman. :
Il must beg a thousand pardons,"
she said. her clear blue eyes raised to
his face, land lot of indulgence. |
want to be taken in. Do you think any
one in this delightful place will do
it?"
The whole camp will fight for the
privilege" promised Sandry rashly,
falling in instantly with her bantering
tone and responding to the frankness
of her smile. He watched her sit down
gracefully in the chair that he hurried
ly pulled forward. With the first
glimpse of her the old nostalgia had
returned upon him and his heart clam
ored for home.
You are from New York" he said
simply
Yes. And | suppose | must explain
at once. You westerners are so insist
ent on reasons. My name is Poppy
Ordway-and am of that unfortunate
and much criticized species, the wom-
an with life work"
The smile she turned upon him was.
electric, full of that heady quality
which is distinctive of the vital wom-
an, the woman of strong and excitable
passions; it appealed to Sandry in
stantly. 80 that a thrill of gladness ran
through him to his very finger tips.
Il have written a few short stories
which have. been well received in the
eastern magazines. but they fail to sat
isfy me. have my first novel drafted.
and ii is over there on your lumber
pile along with my precious type
writer. 1t is tale of the lumber re-
gion-and I've come out to work on
this ground Do you think | can find
sanctuary"
We'll see that you do" said San
dry pleasantly, land you couldn't have
struck better spot for local color any
where In the Northwest We are ele-
mental here, right down to the primi-
tive. and we are swamped with at
mosphere. You just come along to
Ma Daily" he promised, already using
the tone of hail-fellow which their
common nativity and her frank man-
ner had established between them.
Hungriiy he watched her gather up
her skirts and precede him up the lit
tie path to the cook-shack. where Ma
Daily was already standing in the door
to take inventory. Every little move
ment was so familiar. so potent in its
suggestion OF home.
+ Chatting lightly. the-stranger STEP
ped up on the porch and smiled at the
white-haired old woman.
Ma Daily" said Sandry-he had
long since lost the sense of resentment
at the family atmosphere of the camp
this is Miss Ordway OF New York
q famous author-and she has come
West to write a new book. Luckily
she struck US in her search for local
color Can we take her in?"
Ma Daily looked at the visitor sharp
ly and Sandry saw scarce perceptible
change pass over her CHEEKY features.
The vital blue eyes OF the younger
woman gave back the scrutiny with
perfect openness.
Please do, Mrs Daily" she said in
her sweet voice. Please. please do 2
Don't know" said Ma slowly;
there amt any room"
III abdicate," put in Sandry quick
ly; she may have my room and I'll
put up a cot in the Office"
Just at that moment Siletz came in
at the west door and crossing the
big room, stood looking out upon the
group OH the porch. Her dark eyes
rested first with a fieeting glance Oh
Sandry and then she saw the other.
She did not speak but leaned against
the door jamb drinking in this appa-
rition. In the little pause that fell
presently she turned to the old lady.
Yes. mother" she said softly.
please de-