Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-05

Eyes habitation There was a great
stone fireplace, before which biz easy
chairs invited restful lounging. The
moor was overlaid with thick RUGS
which deadened her foutfals. With
no pretense Of ornamental decoration.
the room held an air If holncly com
fort.
Come IN here and lay off your
things" Mrs. Howe heamed On her.
IF I'd "a known you were Twin so
close we'd have been acquainted n
week ago. though amt got rightly
settled here myself My land. these
men are such clans. never knowed
TIL this mornin' there was any white
woman at this end of the lake besides
myself"
She showed Stella into bedroom.
1t boosted an enamel washstahd with
taps which yielded hot and cold water.
neatly curtained windows and a. deep
seated morris chair Certainly Fyfe's
household accommodation was far So
perior to Charlie Bentons. Stella ex-
pected the mans home TO be rough and
ready like himself and in measure
II was, but comfortable sort Of rough
ana readiness. She took off her hat
and had critical survey of herself in
mirror, after which she had just time
to brush her hair before answering
Mrs. Howes call to cup of tea"
The cup Of tea resolved itself into
well cooked and we'll served meal, with
china and linen and other unexpected
table accessories which agreeably sur
prised her Inevitably she made com
Parsons, somewhat tinctured with nat
ural envy. If Charlie would Fix his
place with few such household lux
uries life IN their camp would be more
nearly Dearable despite the long hours
OF disagreeable work AS it was well,
the unreleved discomforts Were begin
ming to warp her outlook On every
thing.
Fyfe maintained his habitual sparsity
of words while they ate the food Mrs.
Howe brought on Il tray hot from the
cooks outlying domain. When they fin
ished he rose, took up his hat and help
ed himself To handful Of cigars from
a box on the fireplace mantel.
III guess you'll he able 10 put in the
time. all right" he remarked. Make
at home. If you take notion
to read there's II lot of books and mag
azines in my room. Mrs Howe II show
you"
He walked out. Stella was conscious |
IF distinct relief when he was gone. |
She had somehow experienced recur- I
'ence OF that peculiar feeling Of need
ng to be ON her guard as If there were
ome curious, latent antagonism be-
wecn them. She puzzled over that
title.
But she did not spend much time
'uzzling over Jack Fyfe. Once out of
Ter sight she forgot him. 1t was balm
o her lonely soul to have some one Uf
Ter own sex for company. What Mrs.
lowe lacked In the higher culture she
lade up in homely perception and un-
kindliness. Her husband was
'yfe's foreman. She herself was not
permanent fixture In the camp. They
ad cottage at Roaring Springs,
here she spent most of the time so ;
nat their three children could be in
,hool.
II was up here all through vacation"
ne told Stella. But Lefty he got to
owlin' about bein' left alone shortly
fter school started again. so | got my
ster to look after the kids for spell
lille | stay. III be goin' down about
le time Mr.. Benton's through here"
Stella eventually went out to take a |
ok around the camp. A hard beaten !
lth led off toward where rose the dis q
mt sounds Of logging work, the pom s
,rous crash of trees and the puff of !
Ie donkeys. She followed that a little
ay AMI presently came to n knoll some
NJ yards above the beach. There she
lustd to look and wonder curiously.
A noble stretch Of lake and mountain
lrcad out before her gaze. Straight
ross the lake two deep clefts in the
stern range opened on the water five
lies apart. She could see the white
bbon Of f0aming cascades in each. :
tween lifted great mountain, and :
the lakeward slope of this stood n "
rrible scar Of slide, yellow and !.
own, rising 1000 feet from the shore.
vaporous wisp Of cloud hung along d
e top Of the slide and above this II
rial banner n snow capped pinnacle
rust itself high into the infinite blue.
She went back to the house to con
rse upon domestic matters with Mrs.
owe until the shrilling Of the donkey
listle brought forty-odd lumberjacks
'inging down the trail.
Behind them Il little way came Jack
'fe with sagging creel. He did not r.
,p to exhibit his catch. but half an a
ur later they were served hot aud Il
lisp at the table in the big living r
ON, where Fyfe, Stella and Charlie
nton, Lefty Howe and his wife sal ~
wn together. .,
4 man from the camp kitchen served Ia
: meal and cleared it away For an -,
ur or two after that the three men =,
about In shirt sleeved ease, pulling .,
Jack Fyfe's cigars. Then Benton
cused himself and went to bed.