The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-03-16
CHAPTER KIN.
The Red Bar on the Waters.


expensive bag of real alligator and
made ready for a departure.
I'm going to Salem. partner" she
said. IF Hampden gets anxious
enough to inquire openly. tell him I'm
after--clothes."
she smiled TO herself. thinking OF
those millions Of trees. For It's own
! sake. the pursuit OF Hampden was be.
ginning to enthrall her professional
instinct, but there was flicker OF
passion under her lashes. a sleepy look
OF anticipation. as she glanced side
wise at Sandry on the step beside
her.
y may be away a week--maybe n
month. III drop you line occa
sionally."
A yearning sense OF loss and loneli
ness gripped Sandry as he took her
hand at parting. lending TO his clasp
an unwonted tightness. and to his
voice sense of huskiness. She was
home and the things thereof. this
worian who was an orchid among the
pines, and with her going went some.
thing he had scarcely realized, yet
which he would sorely miss.
The camp seemed more than usually
dreary In the days that followed. The
fog ribbons twined and twisted con
tinually along the hills. the pines
brought their marching ranks closer
in upon the shrinking valley. and San
dry was taken with an acute attack OF
the blues.
"S1etz." he said abruptly as he met
the girl one noon at the pump. will
you ride with me tomorrow It's Sun.
day and we can take a lunch. What
do you say?"
She did not meet his eyes. her own
somber ones glancing down the slough.
"Yes," she said quietly.
They were up betlmes the following
morning. Ma Daily cooked an early
breakfast and Sandry sat down for the
nrst time with the girl at table. Con.
versation languished until a gentle
tread sounded on the floor and the
Preacher came In, his delicate face
aglow from the touch of icy water
John Daily. too. numbered in at the
same moment.
Sleep well. father?" he asked.
"As always. son. The lowering of
Gods hand is like the sound of many
wings-hushins-ah. so hushing Isn't
II so.-ah-ah-I have forgot"
The pathetic, childlike eyes searched
Sandry's face in straining inquiry.
What is It would remember" he
asked plaintively.
Nothing. father II is all we'll"
Siletz had pushed back the bench for
him. Now she laid her slim hand Low
ingly upon his and looked in his face
smile curving up the lips above the
broken sign. AS the two hands Law
upon the oilcloth Sandry noticed them
-one white and fine veined ana shane.
ly, with the slender. pointed fingers of
dreamer-the other olive and shane
ly and with the same slim. pointed fin
gers.
Alike" he mused. how very much
alike. Why. they are counterpartsl
As he led Black Bolt to the hammer.
block for Siletz to mount he heard
snatchcs OF song from the bunkhouse.
Collins was outside. stretching fresh
deerhide against the planks
The owner turned in his saddle and
looked back at the camp-his camp
as they trotted away down the green
valley II lay snuggled tight against
the pine-clad hills. a primitive force In
primitive country. and he thrilled to
It's suggestion. As they passed the
lower rollway he stopped and sur.
veyed the brown slough, a solid tioor
of logs as far as he could see. even un-
I'll 1t lost itself between its low. tule-
edged banks.
At natsral clearing they refined In
to breathe the horses. and Sandry
turned to the girl.
"S'letz." he said. tell me how II Is
that you have lived all your life so
near the ocean and have never seen IL.
when you have wanted to so much?"
The rare smile lighted her face and
she turned to him.
Il was afraid" she said.
What? Afraid Afraid OF whatY'
"Of how II might look In truth. |
know how II looks in my own pictures
lit might notebook the same"
For a moment the man was silent
before the subtle fineness OF the
thought. amazed to find it in this sim
pie child of the logging country.
And why now7" he asked curiously.
why do you go now7"
you 60" said Siletz as simply as
Kolawmie would speak in his govern
ment cabin at the reservation to the
north.
You're great dreamer. s1etz."
said Sandry.
She nodded
The horses. having taken their re-
quired rest. started forward of their
own will after the manner OF hill.bred
horses, and silence prevailed. save for
the swish and slip OF the iron-shod
hoofs. II took an hour to reach the
crest OF the range.
Siletz had fallen a-dreaming. sway
ing unconsciously to every motion OF
- 4.