The Ordway new era., 1917-03-09

Q 5sSSkS4 EASSAA AiJr "-~A 49, N---~-~
yor OF brosue.
But 1t was not so much the triendli-
ness In the old gentleman's voice that
made the young man smile, as Il was
the smile that lighted up the eyes Of
the girl Her dark hair made a silken
frame about her pink cheeks and
smiling Eus; her eyes-sapphlre blue
and clear as the sky-danced With 3
smile Of divine trlendliness. And
then, too, she crlnkled her eyelids al
around them. An Iron image would
hAye responded to that laughing ChaL-
lenge.
The youth said Good morning"
Bound for COrydonG" inquired the
old gentleman aGaJly. His uadoubted
years weze somehow discounted BY
an almost elm quLCkneSs Of glance,
and his ho5blng gait, his whole ap-
gearauce suggested . solomon among
cock-sparrOws hopping along u pump
handle.
Bound for Corydoa7'
Eyes. Am on the right raceF"
Folly the path an the towns q bit
OF q mile ahead Of ye-bGt II ye Will
Pity the SORROW Of foolish old b.ath-
ersklle who can't build bit Of IRE
TO save his sowl, yen not push oN I'LL
we've got the finder going" And he
thrust his flint and steel into the yoCns
mans hands With IN air Of g nlcal
Gismay.
"oh, do" said the girl. "Fath. - 50
stupid"
The young man took the flint and
steel with laugh and kuslr down 10
obey. he rearraaged the rwigs with a
careful hand, struck . spark into the
Under and uursed It Tor a bEeathless
moment; then tiny flame Crept up
the pile OF brush and the three looked
AZ one another in triumph.
Not that we're Heedin' fire at all,
at ALL said the little old gentleman,
"Oa a day like this; bat us always
comfort in the woods"
"You build fire like a woodsman,"
observed the girl admiringly, though
Of course you aren't one
He flushed, for he knew that his
rags were an unusual dress for the
buckskln-clad men Of the forest; and
the girl added quickly, Because you
aren't carrying a ride
"NO. Pm no woodsman,' he admit
ted, grateful for her tact, but I've
come long distance through, the
woods and have had 70 learn a little
Of their ways
"Ye've come l. long wayy" ask 4 the
old gentleman. Thin ye'd bt st be
slttin' down with Us fog bit. Sure,
the town Will wait"
"Oh. do" added the girl lmpul. lively.
Tell Us about the woods. Have you
seen any Indians? Father didn't want
to come out here today FOR fear one
would pUuuce on US She laughed
ripple more musical than that Of the
brook and, tuCking the skirts OF her
Amazon habit beneath her, settled her
SELF on the ledge Of limestone rock.
Tel US about Indians she went on
comfortably. I'VE came here from
New Orleans and haven't seen a single,
real Daint-aud-feuthers one yet. Ooh :"
she laughed In mock terror.
The fire cracked merrily up the face
of the rock and draft Of its warmth
swept into the Creyice 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 tel you any exciting
tales"
Don't be Fostering the lad, Toll
nette,' cmded the Old man. TN be
bound he's too tired to talk"
The mottIed rope within the crevlce
felt the warmth Of the fire, stirred, IN
colled and glided nolselessIy toward
the aperture, paused again.
You live In COryGon, sir!" asked
the young man. I'D like to ind work
there-Im a weaver by trade"
The old gentleman put his head on
one side IN dubious reflection. Small
chance for weaver, my lad" he an
swered, for every cabin has a loom
of its own. But yen find something
for"
His words froze on his lips as a
tawny notified length flowed out
from the creyice, built Itself up with a
quick, sinuous twist into a coil of Iiy-
ing death. But, with 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 whirled
above his shoulders and struck the
yenomous head like a thunderbolt. A
long left arm swept down and plucked
the girl from the spot where the ugly
folds curled and fiattened among the
rocks.
"Merciful heaven ~ cried the little
Old man yseakly, and buried his face In
his hands.
Ihe girl drew a deep breath; and
the young man suddenly realized that
he was still strainlng her to his side.
he released her as though she burned
h HFln