Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1916-03-01
CHAPTER VIII.

One day soon after the men returned
Sith word of the RATS safe delivery
into the hands of Captain Graftz, San
dry, working over his books in the lit
tie Office, heard a strange voice with
out
Oh no. it was saying in fresh,
sweet accepts-and the very tone said
East-'You need not wait. I'm going
to stay. If this is the Office, or head
quarters of this place, I'll find whoever
is in charge. Just put my trunk on
that pile of timber. Be careful! Oh,
do be CAREFUL That case contains my
typewriter, and it's more precious than
gold! There-that's right. Now,
what do / owe your"
There was an answer and the clink
Of money, and Sandry rose just as the
Office door opened. 1t was the East
that confronted him, Fifth avenue it.
self, the whole inimitable metropolis
refined into one woman
i must beg a thousand pardons,"
she said. her clear blue eyes raised to
his face, land lot of indulgence. |
want to be taken in. Do you think any
one in this delightful place will do
it?"
The whole camp will fight for the
privilege" promised Sandry rashly,
falling in instantly with her bantering
tone and responding to the frankness
Of her smile. He watched her sit down
gracefully in the chair that he hurried
ly pulled forward. With the first
glimpse of her the old nostalgia had
returned upon him and his heart clam
Ored for home.
You are from New York." he said
simply.
Yes. And l suppose | must explain
at once. You westerners are so insist
ent on reasons. My name is Poppy
Ordway-and l am of that unfortunate
and much criticized species, the WON
an with life work
The smile she turned upon him was
electric, full of that heady quality
which is distinctive of the vital WON
an, the woman of strong and excitable
passions; it appealed to Sandry in.
stantly, so that thrill of gladnesS ran
through him to his very finger tips.
L have written a few short stories
which have been well received I'm the
eastern magazines, but they fail to sat.
isfy me. have my first novel drafted
and it is over there on your lumber
pile along with my precious type
writer. 1t is a tale of the lumber re-
giOn-and I've come out to work on
the ground. Do you think | can find
sanctuary?"
Wen see that you do" said San.
dry pleasantly, land you couldn't have
struck better spot for local color any
where in the Northwest. We are ele
mental here, right down to the primi
tive. and we are swamped with at
mosphere.' You just come along to
Ma Daily" he promised, already using
the tone of hail-fellow which thei1
common nativity and her frank man
ner had established between them.
Hungrily he watched her gather VI
her skirts and precede him up the lit
tie path to the cook-shack, where Ma
Daily vas already standing in the door
to take inventory. Every little move
ment was so familiar. so potent IN It's
suggestion OF home.
Chatting lightly, the stranger step
ped up on the porch and smiled at the
Thite-haired old woman.
Ma Daily" said Sandry--he hao
long since lost the sense of resentment
at the family atmosphere of the camp
this is Miss Ordway Of New York
famous author-and she has come
West to write a new book. Luckily
she struck us in her search for ioca
color. Can we take her in?"
Ma Daily looked at the visitor sharp
y and Sandry saw scarce percepti0it
change pass over her CHEEKY features
The vital blue eyes of the younger
woman gave back the scrutiny witt
perfect openness.
Please do, Mrs. Daily" she said II
her sweet voice. please. please DO.
Don't know" said Ma slowly
there amt any ROOM"
III abdicate," put in Sandry QUICK
p; she may have my room and Ii
Fut up cot in the Office"
Just at that moment Siletz came
at the west door and, crossing tn
Dig room, stood looking out upon thu
group on the porch. Her dark eye
rested first with a fieeting glance OF
sandry and then she saw the other
She did not speak but leaned agains
me door-jamh drinking in this appa
ntlon. In the little pause that fel
presently she turned to the old lady
les, mother" she said softly
please do