Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-09-10
CHAPTER XIV,
The Gossips Awake.

shall 1 do? What shall 1 do?' she
moaned.
Instantly smitten into shame, into
manlier mood, he said: Don't worry
about me. Please don't. l can ride.
I'm feeling better. You must not
weaken. Please forgive my selfish
complaints. I'm done! You'll never
hear it again. Come! Let us go on.
can ride"
eff we can reach Millers ranch
81 can ride to your ranch!" he declar-
ed, and rose with such new found reso-
luton that she stared at him in won
der.
He was able to smile. give had my
little crying spell. I've relieved my
heart of its load. l didn't mean to
agOnize you. 1t was only a slump"
He put his hand to his head. 81 must
be a comical figure"
His sudden reversal to cheer was a
little alarming to her, but at length
she perceived that he had in truth mas
tered his depression. and, bringing up
lhC uOISGo, SuC Sduuleu lubIu ana HELP
ed him to mount. "If you get tired or
feel worse tell me, and We'll go into
camp" she urged as they were about
to start.
"You keep going till give the sign"
he replied, and his voice was so firm
and clear that her own sunny smile
came back. Il don't know what to
make of you," she said. Il reckon you
must be poet"
1t was dark when they reached the
village, but Wayland declared his abil-
ity to go on, although his wounded
head was throbbing with fever and he
was clinging to the pommel of his sad
die; so Berrie rode on.
Mrs. McFarlane, hearing the horses
on the bridge, was at the door and
received her daughter with wondering
question, while the stable hands, quick
to detect an injured man, hurried to
lift Norcross down from his saddle.
whats the matter?" repeated Mrs.
McFarlane.
"He fell and struck his head on a
stone" Berea hastily explained. "Take
the horses, boys! Mother and l will
look out for Mr.. Norcross."
The men obeyed her and fell back,
but they We're consumed with curios
ity, and their glances irritated the girl.
slip the packs at once" she insisted.
With instant sympathy her mother
came to her aid in supporting the
wounded, weary youth indoors, and as
he stretched out on the couch in the
sitting room he remarked with a faint,
ironic smile, This beats any bed of
balsam boughs."
where's your father" asked Mrs.
McFarlane of her daughter.
Hes over on the Ptarmigan. I've
powerful lot to tell you, mother, but
not now; we must look after Wayland.
He's nearly done up, and so am l."
| Mrs. McFarlane WINGED a little at
her daughters use of Norcross first
name, but she said nothing further at
the moment, although she watched
Berrie closely while she took off Way
lands shoes and stockings and rubbed
his icy feet. Get him something hot
as quick as you cam she commanded,
and Mrs. McFarlane obeyed without a
word.
Gradually the tremOr passed out OF
his limbs altd a delicious sense of
warlsth, of safety, stole over him, and
he closed his eyes in the comfort of
her presence and care. Rigorous bust
ness this life of the pioneer" he said
with hooking infection. Il think |
prefer a place in the lumber trust"
Don't talk" she said. Then. with a
rush of tender remorse: why didn't
you tell me to stop? l didn't realize
that you were so tired. We could have
stopped at the Springs"
81 didn't know how tired l was till ]
got here. Gee" he said boyishly, that
doorknob at the back of my head is
redhot You're good to me-" he added
humbly.
She hated to have him resume that
tone of self depreciation, and, kneelin,
to him, she kissed his cheek and laid
her head beside his. You're splendid. =
she insisted. Nobody could be BRAY.
er, but you should have told me you
were exhausted. You fooled me with
your cheerful answers
He accepted her loving praise, her
clasping arms, as a part of the rescue
from the darkness and pain of the
long ride, careless of what it might
bring to him in the future. He ate his
toast and drank his coffee and permit
ted the women to lead him to his room
and then being alone he crept into his
bed and fell instantly asleep.
Berrie and her mother went back tC
the sitting room, and Mrs. McFarane
closed the door behind them. Nov
tell me all about it." she said in the
tone Of one not to be denied.
The story went along very smoothly
till the girl came to the second night
in camp beside the lake. There hen
voice faltered and the reflective look
In the mothers eyes deepened as she
learned that her daughter had shared
her tent with the young man. 1T was
the only thing to do, mother" Berrie
bravely said. 1T was cold and wet
outside, and you know he isn't very
strong and his teeth were chattering
he was so chilled. | know it sounds
strange down here, but up there in the
woods in the storm what | did seemed
right and natural. You know what ]
mean, don't you?"
Yes, l understand / don't blame
you-only-if others should hear OF
! it,
"But they won't. No one knows OF
our being alone there except Tony and