The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-03-16
CHAPTER ~.
A Forester's Secret.

THE trail. hardly more than a
wood road. grew wilder and
lonelier as they climbed. Cattle
fed on the hillsides In scattered
bands like elk. Here and there a small
cabin stood on the bank OF a stream.
but for the most part the trail mounted
the high slopes in perfect solitude.
The girl talked easily and leisurely.
reading the brands Of the ranchers, re
vealing the number Of cattle they own
ed, quite as young farmer would
have done. She seemed not TO be EN-
barrassed In the slightest segree by
the fact that she was guiding strange
man over a lonely road and gave no
outward sign OF special interest In him
I'LL she suddenly turned TO ask, What
kind Of u slicker-I mean q rnincoat-
did you bringr'
lie looked blank. Il don't believe
brought any. I've a leather shooting
Jacket. however"
She shrugged her shoulders and look
storm. You'd ought % have a sncker.
no fancy 'raincoat.' but a real old fash.
Toned COW puncher's oilskin. They
make n business of shedding rain"
She rode ON for a few minutes In 81
Ience. as n Disguised with his folly,
but she was really worrying about
him. Poor chapr' she said TO her.
self. He cant stand a chill. ought
to have thought of his slicker myself.
He's helpless as baby"
They were climbing fast now. wind
ing upward along the bank OF a
stream. and the sky had grown sud
denly gray. and the woodland path
was dark and chill. The mountains
were not less beautiful. but they were
decidedly less amiable. and the youth
shivered. casting an apprehensive eye
at the thickenlng clouds
Berea perceived something OF his dis
may and. dra wing rein. dismounted
Behind her saddle was q tightly rolled
bundle which. being united and shaken
out. proved to be a horseman's rain
proof oilskin coat Put this on!' she
commanded.
"Oh. no." he protested Il can't take
your coat"
Yes you can! You mustl Don't yot
worry about me. I'm used to weather
Put this on over your jacket and all
You'll need It. Rain won't hurt me
but II will Just about finish you"
The worst Of this lay In Its truth
aud Norcross lost all his pride OF sc,
for the moment A wetting would no
dim this girls splendid color nor re
duce her vitality one degree, while Il
"You could throw me over my owl
horse" he admitted In kind Of bite
admiration and slipped the coat on
shivering with cold as he did so.
you think me a poor excuse for I
trailer. don't your" he said ruefully a
the thunder began to roll.
you've got to be all made owe
new" she replied tolerantly. "Sta!
here year and you'll be able TO stan,
anything"
Remounting. she again led the wa!
with CHEEKY cry. The rain came dash
she merely pulled the rim Of her som
brero closer over her eyes and rod
steadily ON. while he followed. PLUNGED
Ia gloom as cold and gray as tn
storm.
These mountain showers don't las
long" the girl called back. her fac'
shining like a rose. wen get the sui
Ia n few minutes"
And SO Il turned out. In less thai
an hour they rode into the warm ligh
again. and In spite OF himself Norcros
returned her smile. though he said: ="
feel like "A selfish fool You ar
soaked"
II never take cold" she returned
I'm used to all kinds OF weather
Don't you bother about me-"
Topping low divide, the youtl
caught glimpse OF the range 10 tn
southeast. which took his breath
isn't that superb" he exclaimed
"Ifs like the shining roof ~ ih'
world
"Yes. that's the Continental divide.
she confirmed casually, but the lyri"h
note whhh he struck again rea"hr'
her heart The men she knew had 81
few words for the beautiful In IN,
She wondered whether this mans III
ness had given him this rehnemeni /"
whether Il was native "a his kind