Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-08-19
CHAPTER ~.
A Forester's Secret.

reading the brands of the ranchers. re
vealiug the number of cattle they own
cd quite as young farmer would
| have done. She seemed not TO be EN-
barrassed in the slightest segree 10y
the fact that she was guiding strange
man over Il lonely road and gave no
outward sign OF special interest in him
till she suddenly turned TO ask, Whit
kind OF IA slicker-I mean raincoat-
did you bring"
lie looked blank Il don't believe
brought any. I've a leather shooting
Jacket. however"
she shrugged her shoulders and look
ed up at the sky. We're in for
storm You'd ought o have slicker,
no fancy 'raincoat. but real old fash.
Toned COW puncher's oilsSin. They
make business Of shedding rain.
She rode OH for few minutes in 81
,ence. as II Disguised with his folly.
out she was really worrying about
him Poor chap" she said to her.
self. lie can't stand Il chill ought
to hive thought of his slicler myself
ic's helpless as "A baby.
They were climbing fast now. wind
m. upward along the bank OF
stream. and the sky had grown sud
ldcnly gray and the woodland path
was dark and chill The mountains
wore non less beautiful. but they were
decidedly les, amiabe. and the youth
sEly,red. casting an apprehcnsive eye
1T the thickening clouds.
Rcrea perceived something of his dis
may and. drawing rein. dismounted.
Behind her saddle was tightly rolled
bundle which. being united and shaken
out. proved TO be horseman's rain
proof oilskin coat. Put this on. she
Commanded
ION. no" he protested. Il can't take
your coat
Yes you can You must. Don't you
Worry about me. I'm used 10 weather
Put this Oh over your jacket and all
louI need H. Rain won't hurt me.
nui il will just about finish you.
/, The worst OF this lay in its truth,
and Norcross lost all his pride of sex
for the moment. wetting would not
duce her vitality one degree. while to
, him 1t might be a death warrant
You could throw me over my own
horse" he admitted in kind Of bitter
admiration and slipped the coat on
shvering with cold as he did so.
., you think me a poor excuse for a
trailer, don't your" he said ruefully as
/, the thunder began TO roll
;. You've got to be all made over
new" she replied tolerantly stay
j., here a year and you'll be able TO stand
. anything.
Remounting. she again led the way
! with CHEEKY cry. The rain came dash
q ing down in fitful. misty streams. bu'
she merely pulled the rim of her som
! hrero closer over her eyes and rode
4 steadily on. while he followed. plunged
. IN gloom as cold and gray as the
. storm.
; These mountain showers don't las
long" the girl called back her fac,
shining like rose. We'll get the SUI
z in few minutes"
And SO 1t turned out In less thar
Il nm hour they rode into the warm llgh
u again. and In spite OF himself Norcros.
V returned her smile. though he said: :"
feel like selfish fool You ar,
q soaked"
Il never take cold" she returned
r I'm used TO all kinds OF weather
y Don't you bother about me-"
Is Topping a low divide. the you'll
caught a glimpse OF the range To thu
q southeast. which took his breath
} Isn't that superb" he exclaimed
ITS like the shining roof OF tn
r world
Yes. that's the Continental divide.
Is she confirmed casually. but the lyrica
note which be struck again reached
'e her heart The men she knew had 81
L. few words for the beautiful In life
u She wondered whether this mans Ill
" ness had given him this refinement o
whether It was native to his kind
n I'm glad he took my coat" was he
/ thought.
She pushed OH down the slope. rid
I ing hard. but 1t was nearly 2 o'cloc
10 when they drew up at Meeker's house
which was long. low, stone stru'
In ture built along the north side of TN
n road The place was distinguish
" not merely by its masonry. but ais
p by its picket fence. which had ono
Il been whitewashed Farm wagons O
" various degrees of decay stood by IA
~ gate. and in the barnyard plows an
h. harrows-deeply buried by the weeds
9" were rusting forlornly away. A littl
farther up the stream the tall pipe q
a sawmill rose above the frs
A pack Of dogs of all sizes and sign
came clamOrln., ~ the fence. followe
- 10y big. slovenly dressed. red beart
ed man OF sixty or Whereabouts.
I Hello Uncle Joe called the girl /
onhand boyish fashion. How al
n YOU today"
y "Howdy girl" answered Meeke
20 gravely. What brings you up her
this timer
10 She laughed. Here's a boarder VIII
10 warts TO learn how 10 raise cattle"
4 Meekers face lightened. Il recko
you're Mr.. Norcross? I'm glad to sc
y We Light OF and make yourself
home Turn your horses into the co
ot raj The boys will feed EN-"
Is without ceremony Meeker led b
III IT,. he. irtf0