Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-09-22

though crippled by the STORM anu war;
ed back by the clouds.
Withra dull ache in his bones. Way
land crept. out to the fire and set to
work tanning the Goals with his hat
as he had seen the supervisor do. He
worked desperately til one OF the en-
bers began to angrily sparkle ana 10
smoke. Then. slipping away out or
earshot he broke an armful of dry tir
branches to heap above. the wet. char
red logs Soon these twigs broke into
fame. and Berrie. awakened by the
cracklc of the pine branches. called
out. lis it daylight?' g.
"Yes, but it's very dark daylight.
Don't leave yorr warm bed for the
dampness and cold out here. Stay
where You are I'll get breakfast"
How are you this morning? Did
you sleep?"
"Fine!"
I'm afraid you had bad night. she
insisted. in tone which indicated her
knowledge" Of his suffering.
Camp life has it's disadvantages.
he admitted. as he put the coffee pot
on the fire. But I'm feeling better
now. I never fried Il bird in my life.
but I'm going to try 1t this morning.
| have some water heating for your
BATH" He put the soap. towel and ba:
sin Of hot water just inside the tent
flap. Here it is. I'm going to battle
in the lake. I must show my hardi-
hood
When he returned be found the girl
full dressed. alert and glowing. but she
greeted him with: touch Of shyness
and self consciousness new to her. and
her eyes yelled themselves before his
glance.
b SHOW. where do you suppose the su-
pervisor is?' he asked.
IL hope he's at home" she replied
quite seriously. I'D hate to think 1T
him camped in the high country Win.
out bedding or tent" 0''4a. @:< <, ,"'T'''- &
"Oughtn't to take turn mp the
trail and see? I feel guilty, somehow.
l must do something -
"You can't help. matters any by hoof-
ing about in the mud. No. We'll just
hold the fort till" he comes. That's
what he'll expect us to do" =.
He submitted once more to the force
Of her argument. and they ate break
fast in such intimacy and good cheer
that the nights discomforts and anx-
ieties counted for little.
1--WE have to camp here again to-
night" she explained demurely.
Worse things gould happen than
that" he gallantly answered. II
wouldn't mind month Of it.. only I
shouldn't want, it to rain or snow all
the time 4 =
Poor boy: You did suffer. didn't
you? wds afraid you would. Did
you sleep at all?" she asked tenderly.
"Oh, yes, after came inside; but.
Of course. I was more or less restless
expecting your father to ride up"
That's funny. never feel that
way. l slept like log after knew
you were comfortable. You must have
better bed and more blankets. It's
always cold up here"
The sunlight was short lived. The
clouds settled over the peaks. and rag
ged wisps of gray vapor dropped down
the timbered slopes of the prodigious
amphitheater in which the lake lay.
Again Berrie made everything snug
while her young woodsman to1led at
bringing logs for. the fire.
At last fully provided for. they sat
contentedly side by side under the
awning and watched the falling rain
MS it splashed and sizzled on the sturdy
fire. t"It's a little like being ship"
wrecked on a desert island. isn't 1T!
he said. LAS IT our boats had drifted
away" - 'ES<%tr.,
At noon she again prepared an elab-
crate meal. She served potatoes ana
grouse. hot biscuit with sugar strip
and canned peaches and coffee done
to just the right color and aroma. be
declared it wonderful. and they ate
with repeated wishes that the super
visor might turn up in time to share
their feast. but he did not. Then
Berrie said firmly: Nov you must take
q snooze. You look tired.
He was in truth not only droWsy'
but lame and tired. Therefore he
yielded to her suggestion. -
She covered him with blankets and
put him away like child. Nov you
have a good Sleep" she said tenderly
It'll call you when daddy comes
When he woke the ground was again
covered with snow. and the girl was
feeding the fire with wood which her
own hands had supplied. ~M
p Hearing him stir, she turned aud
fixed her eyes upon him With clear.
soft gaze. How do you feel by now:'
she asked. -, X
Quite made over be replied. rising
alertly.
His cheer, however. was only pre-
tense. He was greatly worried. Some
thing has happened to your father he
said. His horse has thrown him. or
he has slipped and fallen" His peace
and exuItation were, gone. HOW 1ar
is it down to the ranger station?'
about twelve miles, - a SO
Don't think we'd better close