The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-06-01

0hs Sat staring at the Fire with the
Calm Brow Of an Indian.
Nash, enthralled. fingered while she
twisted her hair into place, then went
out to bring In the ponies.
wayland came out a little uncertain
ly, but looking very well Il think
shall discourage my friends from COM
ing to this region for their health" be
said ruefully. III I were q novelist
now all this would be grist for my
mill"
Beneath his joking he was profound
ly chagrined. He had hoped by this
time to be as sinewy. as alert as Nash.
instead Of which here he sat, shivering
over the fre like sick girl. his head
swollen. his blood sluggish. but this
encouragement only increased Berea's
tenderness-a tenderness which melted
all his reserve.
I'm not worth all your care" he said
to her. with poignant glance.
The sun rose clear and warm. and
the Ore, the coffee, put new courage
into him az well as into the others,
and while the morning was yet early
and the forest chill and damp with
rain. the surveyor brought up the
horses and started packing the outfit
In this Berrie again took part, doing
her half of the work quite as dextrous-
ly as Nash himself. Indeed. the for
ester was noticeably confused and not
quite up to his usual level Of adroit
ease.
At last both packs were on. and as
they stood together for a moment Nash
said: This has been great experience
-one I shall remember AZ long as ]
i've"
She stirred uneasily under his frank
admiration. I'm nightly obliged to
you" she replied. as heartily as she
could command.
Don't thank me. I'm Indebted to
you. There Is so little In my life Of
such companionship as you and Nor
cross give me-"
He helped Norcross mount his horse.
and ss he put the lead rope into Ber
ties hand he said. with much feeling:
Good luck to you. ! shall remember
this night all the rest Of my life. Miss
BerYie."
II hate to be going to the rear" call.
ed Wayland. whose bare. bandaged
head made him look like a wounded
young ofacer But l guess It's better
for me to lay or a week or two and
recover my tone"
And so they parted. the surveyor rid
ing his determined way up the naked
mountain side toward the clouds, while
Berrie and her ward plunged at once
into the dark and dripping forest 10
low. "If you can stand the grief" she
said, "we'll go clear through"
Her caution was all for him. She
tried each dangerous slough 6rst and
thus was able to advise him which
way was safest His head throbbed
with pain and his knees were weary.
but he rode on
At last they came into open ground
on a high ridge and were gladdened by
the valley outspread below them, for
II was still radiant with color. though
not az brilliant as before the rain
At o'clock ON the bank of clear
stream the girl halted. II reckon we'd
better camp awhile You look tired.
and am hungry"
She unsaddled one pack animal and
spread some blankets on the grass.
"IAe down and rest while l boil some
coffee" she commanded, and he obey
ed, too tired to make pretension toward
assisting
Lying so. feeling the magic Of the
sun. hearing the music Of the water
and watching the girl. he regained a
serener mood. and when she came
back with his food he thanked her for
II with a glance before which her eyes
fell. IL don't see why you are 80 kind
to me. really believe you like TO do
things for me-" Her head dropped 10
hide her face. and he went on: why
do you care for mef Tell mer'
81 don't know" she murmured. Then
she added. with a fash Of bravery.
But j do"
What a mystery II all isl You turn
from a splendid fellow like Landon TO
a skate like me. LAndon worships
you-you know that-don't your
II know-he"- abe ended. vaguely
distressed
did he ASK you 10 marry himT
-Yes."
why didn't your Hes just the
mate for you. He's q man OF high
charactH and education" She made
70 answer to thia and he went on;