The Raymer enterprise., 1917-02-22
greeted cheerily, with an ethereal fla
vOr of brogue.

biSclSu SheeTilJp Wllu uu elneIedt ua-
vor Of brogue.
But 1t was not 80 much the friendli-
ness In the old gentleman's voice that
made the young man smile. as 1t was
the smile that lighted up the eyes Of
the girl. Her dark hair made silken
frame about her pink cheeks and
smiling lips; her eyes-sapphire blue
and clear as the sky-tlanced with a
smile Of divine friendliness. And
then, too, she crinkled her eyelids all
around them. An iron image would
have responded to that laughing chal-
lenge. ..
The youth said Good morning."
Bound for Corydon" inquired the
old gentleman affably. His undoubted
years were somehow discounted by
an almost elin quickness Of glance,
and his hobbling gait, his whole ap-
pearance suggested Solomon among
cock-sparrows hopping along a pump
i handle.
"Bound for Corydon?"
"Yes. Am on the right tracer
Folly the path an the towns bit
of q mile ahead Of ye-but II ye will
pity the sorrow Of a foolish old blath-
erskite who can't build a bit Of fire
to save his sowl. yell not push on till
we've got the tinder going" And he
thrust his flint and steel into the poung
mans hands with an air Of CT nicul
dismay.
"oh. do said the girl. "Fath. - SO
stupid"
The young man took the flint and
steel with laugh and knelt down to
obey. He rearranged the twigs with a
careful hand. struck spark into the
tinder and nursed 1t for breathless
moment: then tiny flame crept up
the pile of brush and the three looked
at one another In triumph.
mot that we're needin' fire at all.
at ALL" said the little old gentleman,
ION n day like this; but 'tis always
O comfort In the woods"
"You build a fire like a woodsman." !"
observed the girl admiringly. though
Of course you aren't one"
He flushed. for he knew that his
rags We're an unusual dress for the
buekskin-clad men Of the forest; and
the girl added quickly. Because you
aren't carrying rifle"
mo, I'm no woodsman," he admit
ted. grateful for her tact, "but I've
come long distance through. the
woods and have had to learn a little
Ct their ways"
"Ye've come a long way7" ask, d the
old gentleman. "Thln ye'd bt It be
sittin' down with US for bit. Sure,
the town will wait"
"oh. dol" added the girl impul, lively.
Tell us about the woods. Haya you
seen any Indians? Father didn't want
to come out here today for fear one
would p0unce on u.s." She laughed a
ripple more musical than that OF the
brook, and, tucklng the skirts of her
Amazon habit beneath her, settled her
self on the ledge of limestone rock.
''Tell US about Indians" she went on
comfortably. "We. came here from
New Orleans and haven't seen a single,
real palnt-and,feathers one yet. Oohr
she laughed In mock terror.
The fire cracked merrily up the face
OF the rock and a draft of It's warmth
swept into the creylce of the stone.
The dusky thing lying within stirred
pleasantly.
I've seen only peaceful Indians on
the road so far" smiled the young
man. Il can't tell you any exciting
tales"
Don't be pesterlng the lad, ToI-
nette," chided the old man. "Ill be
bound he's too tired to talk"
The notified rope within the creyice
felt the warmth of the fire. stirred, un.
coiled and gllded noiselessly toward
the aperture, paused again.
You live In Corydon, sirf" asked
the young man. I'D like to find work
therein weaver by trade"
The old gentleman put his head on
one side In dubious reflection. sSmall
chance for a weaver, my lad," he an
swered, "for every cabin has q loom
Of Its own. But yell find something
for"
His words froze on his lips as
tawny mottled length flowed out
from the crevlce, built itself up with
quick. sinuous twist into coll of liy.
ing death. But, with a lightning quick
ness, the young man had seized his
oaken staff from the ground.
Don't move, Toinette!" he cried;
and on the words the cudgel whiried
above his shoulders and struck the
venomous head like a thunderbolt. A
long left arm swept down and plucked
the girl from the spot where the ugly
folds curled and fattened among the
rocks.
"Merciful heavcnw cried the little
old man weakly, and buried his face ln
his hands.
The girl drew deep breath; and
the young man suddenly realized that
he was efiI1 cfroinin1 hos q. ht. ~txn