Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-09-10
CHAPTER XIII.
Berries Vigil.

LA came curious to know precise
ly what had taken place, but
a H. he did not feel free to ask
her. "She will tell me if she wishes
me to know" That she had van
cquished BeIdpn ANA sent him on his
way was evident. although he had not
been able to hear what she had said
ito him at the last. What lay between
Tthe enemy'S furious onslaught and the
aid he lent in making the camp could
only be SurmiSed. Il wonder if she
used her piStol?" Wayand asked him
self something like death must
shave stared him in the face"
That she loved him with the COM
,pete passion of her powerful and sim
r Pie nature he knew. for her voice had
reached through the duze of his semi
auncOnsciousneSS with thrilling power.
The touch Of her lips to his, the close
clasp of her strong arms were of ever
greater convincing quality. And yet
he wished the revelation had come in
some other way. His pride was abrad-
ed. His manhood seemed somehow
tersal of the ordinary relations be-
tween hero and heroine, and he saw
mo way of re-eStabliShing the normal
attitude of the male.
Entirely unaware of what was pass
ing in the mind of her patient Berrie
went about her duties with a cheerful
ness which astonished the sufferer in
the tent. She seemed about to hum
"a song as she set the skillet on the
fire, but moment later she called out,
in a tone of irritation, Here comes
Nash"
I'm glad of that" answered Way
,Iand, although he perceived something
of her displeasure.
Nash, on his way to join the super
visor, raised a friendly greeting as he
saw the girl and drew rein. 81 ex-
pected to meet you farther down the
hill" he said. "Tony phoned that you
had started. Where did you leave the
supervisory"
cover at the station waiting for you.
Where's your OUTFIT.
NdHlJeu uON IL Iub TRAIL ullc VI
so. l thought I'd better push through
tonight. What about Norcross? Isn't
he with you?"
She hesitated an instant. Hes in
the tent. He fell and struck his head
on rock, and l had to go into camp
here"
Nash was deeply concerned. SIS that
so? Well, that's hard luck. Is he bad
ly hurtT
"Well, he had terrible fall. But
he's easier now. l think he'T asleep"
MAY l look in on him?"
81 don't think you'd better take the
time. It's long, hard ride from here
ts the station. 1t will be deep night
before you can make it,
Don't you think the supervisor
, would want me to camp here tonight
and do what l could for you? If Nor
cross is badly injured you will need
me-"
She liked Nash, and she knew he
was right, and yet she was reluctant
Ito give up the pleasure of her lone
vigil. He's not in any danger, and
we'll be able to ride on in the morn
ing"
Nash, thinking of her as Clifford Bel
~den's promised wife, had no suspicion
of her feeling toward NOrcroSS. There
fore he gently urged that to go on was
quite out of order. Il can't think of
leaving you here alOne-certainly not
till | see Norcross and find out how
. badly he is hurt
She yielded. Il reckon you're right
?, she said. "Tll go see if he is awake"
He followed her to the door of the
tent, apprehendng something new and
inexplcable in her attitude. In the
music of her voice as she spoke to the
sick man was the love note of the
mate. You may come in" she called
back, and Nash, STOPPING, entered the
small tent.
Hello, old mani What you beer
doing with Yourself? Hitting the high
spOts|
Norcross smiled feebly. mo, the
hill few up and bumped me-"
How did it all happen|'
Il don't exactly know. 1t all came
of sudden. | had no share in it.
didn't 90 for to do it,
Whether you did or not, you seen
to have made n good job of it."
Nash examined the wounded MAJ
carefully, and his skill and strength IL
handling Norcross pleased Berrie
though she was jealous of the warn
friendship which seemed to exist be
tween the men.
She had always liked Nash, but sh
resented him now. especially as he in
sisted on taking charge of the case
but she gave way finally and wen
back to her pots and pans with pensiv
countenance.
A little later, when Nash came on
to make report. she was not very gri
cious in her manner. Hes pretty bat
Nly hurt" he said. There's IN uSl
cash in his scalp and the shock ha
produced good deal of pain and cor
fusion in his head, but he's going to b
all right in day or two. For ma
seeking rest and recuperation he Gel
tainly has had rough run of weati