Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-10-14

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out TO bring In the ponies
Wayland came out a little uncertain
". but looking very well. Il think
shall discourage my friends from com
ing to this region for their health" he
said ruefully. III were 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 AZ Nash.
instead Of which here he sat. shivertng
over the fire like a sick girl. his head
swollen. his blood sluggish. but this
encouragement only increased Berea's
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 | shall remember as long as |
live"
She stirred uneasily under his frank
admiration I'm nightly obliged TO
you" she replied. as heartily as she
could command.
''Dou't thank me. I'm Indebted TO
you. 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 Der
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 10 be going TO the rear" call
I'd Wayland. whose bare. bandaged
head made him look like wounded
young officer But | guess it's better
for me 10 lay off 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 1T once
into the dark and dripping forest be
low III you can stand the grief" she
said, well go clear through"
Her caution was all for him. She
tried each dangerous slough first and
,hus was able 10 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 a high ridge and were gladdened by
the valley outspread below them. for
Ii was still radiant with color. though
not as brilliant as before the rain
At o'clock on the bank of clear
stream the girl halted. II reckon we'd
better camp awhile. You look tired.
and | am hungry"
She unsadded one pack animal ana
spread some blankets On the grass
Lie down and rest while boil some
coffee" she commanded, and be 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 q
serener mood. and when she came
back with his food he thanked her for
il with a glance before which her eyes
fell Il don't see why you are so kind
to me. | really believe you like to do
things for me-" Her head dropped 10
hide her face and he went on: "Why
do you care for me? Tell me-
81 don't know" she murmured. Then
she added. with fash OF bravery
But | do"
What a mystery IL all is. You turn
from Il splendid fellow like Landon Ia
skate like me. Landon worship>
you-you know that-don't your
II 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 a man OF high
character and education" She made
no answer TO this. and he went on:
Dear girl. I'm not worth your care
truly. I'm not resented your en-
gagement TO Belden. for he was a
brute. but Landon Is different. He
thinks the world OF you. He'll go high
In the service. I've never done any
thing In the worId-I never shall. II
will be better for you II go-tomor-
row.
She took his hand and pressed II To
her cheek. then. putting her arm about
his neck. drew him to her bosom and
kissed him passionately. "You break
my heart when you talk like that" she
protested. with tears. "You mustn't
say such gloomy things-l won't lei
you give up. You shall come right
home with me. and | will nurse Won
till you are well. Ii was all my fault
II will not have II go that way" no
said. I've brought you only care AMI
unhappiness thus far I'm an alien
my ways are not your ways"
IL can change" she answered -
hate my ways. and ! like yours
AS they argued she felt no shame
and he voiced no resentment She
knew his mood. She understood his
doubt. his depression. She pleaded as
n man might have done. ready to