The Bossier banner., 1915-08-19
him tamped in the high country with
out bedding or tent"

"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.
I'VE have to camp here again to-
night" she explained demurely.
Worse things could happen than
that" he gallantly answered. II
wouldn't mind a month of it. only
shouldn't want it 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 l came inside: but
of course. I was more or less restless
expecting your father to ride up"
That's funny. never feel thai
way. | 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 dowr
the timbered slopes of the prodigious
amphitheater in which the lake lay
Again Berrie made everything snus
while her young woodsman toiIed al
bringing logs for the fire.
At last fully provided for. they sa
contentedly side by side under the
awning and watched the falling rail-
as it splashed and sizzled on the sturd,
fire. Its little like being ship
wrecked ON desert island. isn't it?'
he said LAS If our boats had driftet
away"
at noon she again prepared an elab
crate meal. She served potatoes ant
grouse. hot biscuit with sugar siruI
and canned peaches and coffee dom
to just the right color and aroma. HI
declared it wonderful. and they at,
with repeated wishes thar the super
visor might turn up in time to shar'
their feast. but he did not The,
Rerrie said firmly: "Now you must taxi
u snooze. You look tired
He was in truth not only drowsy
but lame and tired. Therefore h
yielded to her suggestion
She covered him with blankets ant
put him away like a child. Now yo'
have good Sleep" she said tenderIy
"Ill call you when daddy comes"
When be woke the ground was again
covered with snow. and the girl wa
feeding rhe fire with wood which he
own hands had supplied.
Hearing him stir. she turned ant
fixed her eyes upon him With cleal
soft gaze. How do you feel by now!
she asked.
..Quite made over" be replied. risini
alertly.
His cheer, however. was only pre-
tense He was greatly worried. Some
thing has happened to your father" h
said '.Ffis horse has thrown him. o
be has slipped and fallen" His peac
and exultation were gone. How ia
is it down to the ranger stationy
About twelve miles"
Don't you think we'd better clos
camp and go down there: 1t is nov
s O'Clock. We can walk it in tiv
hours"
She shook her head. mo. thin
we'd better stay right here. It's
long. hard walk. and the trail is mud
dy."
''But. dear girl he began desperate
". 1T won't do for ns to camp her
alone in this way another night Wha
will Cliff sayy'
She famed red. then whitened.
don't care what ClifT thinks. I'm don
with him. and no one that really car
about would blame u.s. She was full
aware OF his anxiety now. 1T isn't on
fault"
1T will be my fault If keep yo
here longer! he answered. We mus
reach telephone and send word OH
Something may have happened to you
father
I'm not worried Il bit about him.
may be that there's been a big snow
fall up above rs. or else windStorn
The trail may be blocked. but don
worry. He may have to 20 round b
Lost Lake pass" She pondered Il mt
ment Il reckon you're right We
better pack up and rack down the ira
to the rangers cabin--not Oh my a,
count. but on yours. I'm afraid you'y
taken cold.'
I'm all right. except TIM very lam,
but am anxious to go ON. BY th
way, Is this ranger Settle married |'
mo: his station is one of the Ion,
soonest cabins on the forest. No WI
man will stay there"
This made Wayland ponder. "NeN
| ertheless." he decided. well go. At
er all. the man is forest officer. IN
you are the supervisors daughter"
She made no further protest. b,
| busted herself closing the panniers an
putting away the camp utensils. Sh
seemed to recognize that his judgmel
| was sound.
1t was after when they left I'll
tent and started down the trail. carr.
ing nothing but few toilet articles.
He stopped at the edge OF the clea
ing. SHOULD we have left a note K
the supervisor?
The trees were dripping. the willow
heavy with water. and the mud ank
deep In places. but she pushed 9
| steadily. and he. following in ht
tracks. could only marvel at b.
strength and sturdy self reliance. II
| swing OF her shoulders. the poise {
i aA "a L