Alma record., 1915-09-16

fast In Sucn intimacy ana goou cneer
that the nights discomforts and anx-
ieties counted for little.
"We have TO camp here again to-
night" she explained demurely.
Worse things could happen than
that" he CALAMITY answered. 81
wouldn't mind month OF II. only
shouldn't want II TO rain or snow all
the time"
Poor boy. You did suffer. didn't
you? ! was afraid you would. Did
you sleep at all?' she asked tenderly.
"Oh. yes. after | came inside; but
OF course. was more or less restless
expecting your father TO ride up"
That's funny | never feel tina,
way. slept like a log after | knew
you were comfortable. You must have
better bed and more blankets. lts
always cold up here"
The sunlight was short lived. The
clouds settled over the peaks. and RAJ
ged wlsps of gray yapor dropped down
the timbered slopes of the prodigious
amphitheater in which the lake lay
Againf Berrie made everything snug
while her young woodsman toiled 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
as it splashed and sizzled on the sturdy
fire. ITS little like being ship
wrecked on a desert island. isn't IT?
| Irff
away"
At noon she again prepared an elab
crate meal. She served potatoes and
grouse. hot biscuit with sugar sirup
and canned peaches and coffee done
10 lust the right color and aroma. He
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: Now you must take
a snooze You look tired"
He was in truth not only drowsy.
but lame and tired. Therefore ne
yielded TO her suggestion.
She covered him with blankets and
put him away like child. Now you
have good sleep" she said tenderly
''I'u 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.
Hearing him stir. she turned and
fixed her eyes upon him With clear.
I Il. l.T
she asked.
"Q6ite made over" he 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 exultation were gone. How far
Is it down to the ranger station?"
About twelve miles"
Don't you think we'd better close
camp ana 20 down there! 1t is now
3 O'clock We can walk 1t in five
hours
She shook her head. mo. think
we'd better stay right here. It's Il
long. hard walk. and the trail is mud
dy."
But. dear girl he began desperate
ly, 1t won't do for US to camp here
alone in this way another night What
will Cliff sayy"
she famed red. then whitened. IL
don't care what Cliff thinks. I'm done
with him. and no one that really care
about would blame us" She was fully
aware OF his anxiety now. 1T isn't our
| fault"
1T will be my fault if | keep you
here longer," he answered. I'VE must
reach a telephone and send word ont.
Something may have happened to your
father
I'm not worried bit about him. II
may he that there's been big snow
fall up above us. or else a windstorm.
The trail may be blocked, but don't
worry. He may have TO 20 round by
Lost Lake pass She pondered a mo-
ment Il reckon you're right We'd
better pack up and rack down the trail
10 the rangers cabin-not on my ac-
count. but on yours. I'm afraid you've
taken cold"
I'm all right. except I'm very lame.
but ! am anxious TO so on. BY the
! way, is this ranger Settle married?"
NO: his station is one Of the lone
soonest cabins on the forest. No wo-
man will stay there"
This made Wayland ponder "Nev-
ertheless." he decided. ''well go. Aft
er all. the msn is a forest officer. and
you are the supervisors daughter"
she made no further protest. but
busted herself closing the panniers and
putting away the camp utensils. She
seemed to recognize that his judgment
was sound.
Ii was after 3 when they left the
tent and started down the trail. carry
ing nothing but few toilet articles.
He stopped AT the edge OF the clear
ing should we have left note for
the SUPERVISOR
The trees were dripping. the willows
heavy with water. and the mud ankle
deep In places. but she pushed on
steadily. and he. following in her
tracks. could only marvel at her
strength and sturdy self reliance. The
swing OF her shoulders, the poise of
her head and the 1.-THE movement of her
waist made his own body seem a poor
thing.
For two hours they zigzagged down
a narrow canyon heavily timbered
with fir and spruce. a dark. stern ave
nue.. crossed by roaring streams and