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

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He followed her to the door Of the
tsnt, apprehendins something new and
inexplicable In her attitude. In the
music Of her voice a. she spoke to the
sick man was the love note Of the
mate. "You may come in." she called
back. and Nash. STOPPING. entered the
small tent
Hello, old mani What you been
doing with yourselff Hitting the high
spotsr'
Norcross smiled feebly. mo. the
hill Few up and bumped me-"
"How did II all happenr
Il don't exactly know. II all came
Of q sudden. had no share In II ]
didn't 60 for to do IT,"
whether you did or not you seem
TO have made good Job Of It."
Nash examined the wounded man
carefully. and bis skill and strength in
handling Norcross pleased Berrts,
though she was Jealous Of the warm
friendship which seemed to exist be-
tween the men
She had always liked Nash. but she
resented him now. especially a. he In
sisted on taking charge Of the case.
but she gave way dnally and went
back to her pots and pans with pensive
countenance
A little later, when Nash came out
to make report, she was not very gra-
cious In her manner. Hes pretty bad
ly hurt" he said. There's an ugly
cash In his scalp. and the shock has
produced a good deal Of pain and con-
fusion In his head. but he's going to be
all right In a day or two. For a man
seeking rest and recuperation he Ger
tainly has had a rough run Of wealth
er."
Through a serious minded, honorable
forester. determined to keep sternly in
mind that he was In the presence OF
the daughter Of his chief, and that she
was engaged to marry another, Nash
was, after all, q man. and the witchery
of the hour, the charm Of the girls
graceful figure. asserted their power
over him. His eyes grew tender. and
Ills words he could guard. but It was
hard to keep from his speech the song
Of the lover. The thought that he was
to camp In her company. to help her
about the fire. to see her from moment
to moment. with full liberty to speak
to her. to meet her glance. pleased him.
II was the most romantic and moving
episode In his life. and though Of a
rather dry and analytic temperament
be had a sense Of poesy.
The night. black. oppressive and 81
lent. brought a closer bond Of mutual
help and understanding between them
She grew friendlier and asked him
about bis work and especially about
his ambitions and plans for the future.
They discussed the forest and Its en-
emies, and he wondered at her free
dom In speaking Of the mill and saloon
He said: "Of course you know that
Alec Belden Is a partner In that bust
ness. and I'm told-of course ! don't
know this-that Clifford Belden h also
Interested"
She offered no defense Of young Bel
den, and this unconcern puzzled him
He had expected Indignant protest but
she merely replied: II don't care who
owns It. II should be rooted out I
hate that kind OF thing. It's Just an
,ther way OF robbing those poor to-
lacks"
Clifford should get out OF IT. CANT
'ou persuade him to do sor'
II don't think I can"
His relationship to you
He h not related to me-
Her tone amazed him You know
what I mean"
'Of course do. but YOU'RE mistaken.
This silenced him for q few mo-
ments, then he said: I'm rather glad
Of that He isn't anything like the
man you thought he was-l couldn't
say these things before-but he ID a.
greedy az Alec. only not 90 open
about It."
AL this comment, which moved the
forester so deeply to utter. seemed not
TO interest Berea. She sat staring at
the fre with the calm brow OF an In
dian. Clifford Belden had passed out
Of her life as completely as he had
vanished out OF the landscape. She
felt an immense relief at being rid Of
him and resented his being brought
back even as subject Of conversation.
wayland, listening. fancied he under
stood her desire and said nothing that
might arouse Nash's curiosity.
Nash on his part. knowing that she
had broken with Belden. began to un-
derstand the tenderness. the anxious
care Of her face and voice. as she bent
above young Norcross As the night
deepened and the cold air stung. he
asked. "Have you plenty Of blankets
for a bedf"
"Oh, yes" she answered. but don't
intend to sleep"
"Oh. you mustr' he declared. Go
to bed. / win keep the IRE going"
At last she consented 81 will make
my bed right here at the mouth Of the
tent close TO the fire." she said. "and
you can call me II you need me-"
"why not put your bed in the tentf
It's going 70 be cold up here"
.u an, all right aufsida" sha DryD-