The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-29
ON SQUAW
MOUNTAIN

tones carried down the slope OF the
mountain. The girl, clinging to the
ledge not many feet below, looked up
and then bowed her head on the hard
slate as II utterly exhausted.
I'll come down. Keep your nerve
called the young man, trumpetwise
through his hands
Stepping hastily into the little cabin
which constituted for the time being,
his home on the top Of Squaw Noun
tain, he laid aside the glasses with
which he had been scanning the land
scape for forest. fires. and slipped into
his mountain boots. Then. with an
other shout Of assurance to the girl
below, he began his descent
He had been fire warden on SQuaw
mountain for nearly three weeks and
this was the first person who had
come under his notice. The ascent OF
the mountain from the shore of the
beautiful lake below was not hazard
GUS, but II was tedious and It was
seldom that tourists made 1t during
the hot months Of July and August.
And 1t was during these months, when
forest fires ragged all about the state,
that fire warden was stationed on
the summit Of the peak.
Henderson called out occasionally
to the girl whom he was going to as
sist, but she did not answer. He de-
cided that she must be well nigh ex-
hausted after 30 long a climb on q
hot day.
AS he passed a spring. the young
fellow filled his cap with water in
case he might need It when he reached
the girl.
At last he found himself on the
ledge beside her and even then he
could get no word from her. Her
head was bowed on her arms folded
across the rock and her basket of
berries had tumbled down the noun
tain side.
Lifting her hair, Henderson bathed
her brow with his dampened handker-
chief. Presently the girl opened her
eyes and looked about
"Oh," she said at last, half dazedly.
"You-you found met"
In less serious moment the young
man would have accused her OF ask
ing foolish question; as 1t was he
refrained.
How did you come SO far alone ?"
he asked when he had found a safe
seat for her.
Il was blue-berrying and before I
knew 1t / was-lost. What time is
it?' she asked.
Nearly four o'clock and you can't
possibly return tonight-you are ex-
hausted," Henderson told her as gent
ly as he could 1T is miles to the
foot OF the mountain
The girl turned pale again "But-"
she hesitated and looked about her.
Who are you and way are you here p"
she asked as If only now she were be-
ginning to realize her situation and
the strangeness of having found hui
man being near her.
Il am Jerome Henderson. fire war
den during my college vacation. In
looking about for fresh fires spied
you down the slope here. | could see
no companion with you and--I called
out. That's all"
do you live up tnere?" she asked,
looking far up at tho peak above her.
AT least, exist for two months
but it's good pay" he said, half laugh
ing, land it's novel,"
The girl bathed her hot face and
hands with the cool spring water and
even through the sunburn the man be-
side her could see her fresh beauty.
"Then-Ill have to sleep here?" she
asked, her voice wavering as she
thought of the dark shadows that
would soon fall all about her.
No; as soon as you are rested. l
will help you up to my cabin and you
may remain there. I'll go down for
the night and you'll be as safe as a
child In Its mothers arms. But-I'n
have to ask you to do duty for me.
The fires are bad just now, and l
have to report any fresh evidences 1
see."
'T-Ill do what 1 can but-you?"
she asked. looking at him with wide
eyes.
"0h, I'll make the descent all right.
I'm accustomed to 1t and / can take
Q message to your people," he as
sured her.
YES" she cried, that has worried
me 50. I'm visiting friends at Moos-
ley Camp. They have a phone"
Good" exclaimed Henderson. $50
have II Up there in my little cabin
l have telephone 30 as to report
the fires and as soon as We reach the
top you shall call up your friends"
As II the relief OF mind refreshed
her body. the girl rose to her feet and
tied her hat more securely under her
chin. For one moment she looked
ruefully at the basket Of berries scat
tered down the slope. Then she
laughed-and the echo came back to
them both. IAN Bsy days work." she
said.
Never mind. you can get more on
your way down tomorrow" Hender-
SON said. Nov. are you ready?"
quite. oh. cannot thank you
enough for finding nae. don't"
He interrupted her. Save your en-
ergy for the climb. don't want any