Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-08

IhcE moved along Il path beaten
through fern and clawing blackberry
vine toward the camp. Benton carry.
ing the two grips. \ loud. sharp crack
split the stiffness; then mild swish.
ing sound arose. Hard on the heels OF
that followed n rcnding, tearing crash
Il thUd that sent trcmors through the
solid earth under their feet The girl
started.
"Falling gang dropped big fir"
Charlie laughed. You u get used ic
that. Iou'n hear II h good many times
Il day here"
Good heavens it sounded like the
end of the world" she said.
"Wcll. YOU can't fell stick OF tim.
Der 200 feet high and six or eight feet
through without making II pretty con.
siderable noise" her brother remark.
cd complarrnt!y. Il like that sound
myself. Every big tree that goes
down means II bunch of money"
He led the way past the mess house,
from the doorway of which ,hr apron.
rh cook eyed hrr with frank curiosity,
mailing his employer With noncliaIant
mir, cigarette resting in one corner
of his mouth. Benton opened The door
OF the second building. Stella follow.
cd him in.
1T llau the saving grace of clcanli.
ness. according to logging camp stand,
ards. but the baroness ut il appalled,
her. There WAS Il rusty box heater
uttered with cigar and cigarette stubs;
Il desk fabricated Of undrr&$cd boards,
homemade clair or two. Sundrv boxes
standing ahnu The sole concession
TO comfort WAS Il rug Of cheap Amin.
strr covering, half the floor The walls
were decorated chiefly with miScclanr.
Gus clnth!n" suspended from nails, !,
few maps ANA hiucprintS tackled VI
nSkcw. Straight acr, - from the en-.
tcrinr door anuthcr stood aiar. and
she could see further viStuS of bar,
board wall. small. dusty window panc>
and Il bed whcrron gray blankets were
tumbled us they fell when IL waking
sleeper east them aside
Benton crossed the room and threw
open another door
Heres q nook | fixed up for you
Stella" he said brslily. SIT isn't ycrSS
fancy, but It's the best | could do jus,
now"
She followed him in silently. He sci
her two bags on the floor and turned
to 80. Then some impulse moved hin
TO turn back. and he put both hands or
her shoulders and kissed her gently.
you're home, anyway" he said
'IhntS something. if il isn't what
you're used To. Try to overlook the
cruditics. Wen have supper as sooI
rs you feel like it,
He went out. closing the door bchint
him.
Miss Estclla Benton stood in the
middle OF the room lighting against +:
swift heart sinking. Il terrible dcprcs
sion that strovc to master her.
Good Lord in heaven" she muttcr
cd at last, what IL place TO be ma
rooncd in! lt's-il's simply impossi
blc."
Her gaze rovcl about the room.
square box. neither more nor less. /.
by IL feet of bare board wall unpaint
cd and unpapcrcd. There was an iror
bed, q willow rocker and a rude closet
for clothes in one corner \ duDlicat
of the department store bargain rug il
the other room lay on the floor. Or
ali uptulled box stood IN cnnmc
pitcher and Tin wnShbaSin. That was
ALL
She sat down on the bed and viewed
1t forlornly. y wave of sickcning re
bcllion against cvcrythin" swept over
her TO herself she seemed as irrcv
ocably alone as if she had been lost
in the depths OF the dark timber that
rose on every hand. And, sitting there
she heard at length the voices Of men
Looking out through a window cur
tanned with chccsccloth, she saw hcl
brothers logging gang swing past
stout woodSmcn Ill, big men, tall men
short bodied men with thick necks and
shoulders. sunburncd. all grimy will
the sweat OF their labors, carrying
themselves with free and rockies.
, swing, the doubles in type OF that rois
tering crew she had seen embark OF
Jack Fyfc's boat.
All about that cook house dooryar,
spread confusion OF empty tin cans
gaudily labeled, containers OF corn ant
peas and tomatoes. Dishwater and ref
use, chips, scraps, all the refuse Of til,
camp was scattered there in unlovel,
array.
But that made no more than q pass
ing impression upon her. She wa!
thinking as she removed her hat ant
gloves of what queer angles come nov
! and then TO the human mind. Sh,
wondered why she should be sufficient
, ~ interested in her brothers hired mel
to drive off n compelling attack of tn,
blues in consideration of them as men
Nevertheless she found herself unabl,
to view them as she had viewed, say
the clerks in her fathers Office.
She began TO brush her hair and t.
wonder what sort Of food would BIZ
served for supper