The citizen., 1916-04-27


for morning He cut some
~ shnvings from dead. dry
branch Of dr and put them under the
uy aud brought bucket of water from
the creek. aud then together they drag
ged up the dead tree.
Had the young man ts.eo other than
be- was. the girls purity. eandcr and
self reliance would have conquered
hiu aud when she withdrew Go the
iittl- tcm aud let fail the fraii barrter
bet ween them she was as safe frou IN
tr,isIou a. II she had taken refug~ In.
hind gates ~ triple brass Nothing ia
all his life bad moved him 40 deeply
as her solicitude. her sweet trust In
his honor. and he sat long In profound
meditation. Any man would he rich In
the ownership OF her love be admitted
That he possessed her pity and her
friendship he knew. and he began ca
wonder IL be had made . deeper sp
peal TO her than this.
.NCan Il be that I am really q man
TO her" he thought, II who am only
Q poor weakiing whom the rain and
snow can appallr'
Then he thought OF the effect Of this
night upon her life. What would Clif
ford Belden do nowf To what deeps
would his rage descend II he stoukd
come TO know OF lit
from her couch to say: YOU'D bettes
90 10 bed. Daddy cant get here ill to
morrow now"
-ril stay up awhile Jet Ny boots
aren't entirely dried ont"
After q silence she said: You must
not get chilled. Bring your bed into
the tent There Ii room for you"
-Oh. no. that Isn't oecessary. Tn
standing Il very we'll"
you'll be sickv' she urged. In q voice
Of alarm. Please drag your bed In
side the door. What would Z do II you
should have pneumonia tomorrow You
must not take any risk OF q fever"
The thought Of q sheltered spot, OF
something to break the remOrseless
wind. overcame his scrupLes. and he
drew his bed inside the tent and rear
ranged Il there.
You're half frozen" she said Your
teeth are chattering"
"I1l be all right In a few moments, "
be snug as bug in q moment"
She watched his shadowy motions
from her bed. and when ut last he had
nestled into his blankets she said. IF
you don't Te your chill I'll heat a
rock and q Il at your feet"
He was ready TO cry out in shame of
his weakness. but he lay silent till he
could command his voice. then he said
THAT would drive me from the coun'
Try In disgrace. Think OF what the
fellows down below will say when
they know Of my cold feet!''
They won't hear Of Il. and. besides.
II IL better to carry a hot water bag
than 70 be laid up with a fever"
Her anxiety lessened as his voice re-
sumed it's pleasant tenor dow. Dear
GIRL" he said. no one could have been
sweeter-more like a guardian angel to
me. Don't place me under any greater
obligation. Go to sleep. am better
much better now."
She did not speak for few moments.
then In a voice that conveyed to him
knowledge that his words OF endear'
ment had deeply moved her she softly
said. Good night"
He heard her sigh drowsily there
after once or twice. and then she slept.
and her slumber redoubled In him bis
sense Of guardianship. Of responsible
~. Lying there In the shelter OF her
tent the whole situation seemed sim
pie. innocent and poetic. But looked at
from the standpoint Of Clifford Belden
n held an accusation.
"It cannot be helped" he said. The
Sply thing ws can do Il 70 conceal t1'