Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-03

the man at the top of. the slip, but
the roar of him who had taken
that inglorious descent rose loudest
of all, an explosive "Har, har har!"
"Hey, Jack!" he shouted. Maybe
y en- throw m blankets down, too,
while y'r at it."
The man at the slip head caught
up the roll, poised it high and cast
it from him with a quick twist of
his body. The woolen missile flew
like a we'll put shot and caught its
owner fair in the breast, tumbling
him backward on the deck, and the
Homeric laughter rose in double
strength. Then the boat began to
swing, and the man ran down and
| leaped the widening space as she
drew away from her mooring.
Stella watched the craft gather
way, a trifle shocked, her breath
coming a little faster. The most
deadly blows she had ever seen
struck were delivered in a more
subtle, less virile mode. a curl of the
| lip, an infection of the voice. These
| were a different order of beings.
This, she sensed, was man in a
more primitive aspect, man with
the conventional bark stripped clean
off him. And she scarcely knew
whether to be amused or frightened
when she reflected that among such
her life would presently lie. Charlie
had written that she would find
things and people trifle rougher
than she was used to. She could
we'll believe that. But they were
| picturesque ruffians.
Her interested gaze followed the
camp tender as it swung around the
wharf end, and so her roaming eyes
were led to another craft drawing
near. This might be her brothers
vessel. She went back to the outer
landing to see.
Two men manned this boat. AS
she ranged alongside the piles one
stood forward and the other aft
with lines to make fast. She cast a
| look at each. They were prototypes
of the rude crew but now departed,
brown faced, flannel shirted, shod
with calked boots, unshaven for days,
typical men of the woods. But as
she turned to go the man forward
and almost directly below her looked
her full in the. face.
"Stell"
Charlie Benton-for heavens s
sake" They stared at each other.
WELL" he laughed at last, IF 1t
were not for your mouth and eyes,
Stell, 1 wouldn't have known you.
Why, you're all grown up"
He clambered to the wharf level
and kissed her. The rough stubble
of his beard pricked her tender
skin, and she drew back.
my word, Charlie, you certainly
ought to shave, she observed, with
sisterly frankness. 81 didn't know
you until you spoke. I'm awfully
glad to see you, but you do need
some one to look after you"
Benton laughed tolerantly.
perhaps. But, my dear girl, q
fellow doesn't get anywhere on his
appearance in this country. When
a fellows bucking big timber he
shucks off lot of things he used to
think were quite essential. BY JoVe,
you're a picture, Stell! If l hadn't
been expecting to see you L wouldnt
have known you"
"I doubt i fl should have known
you either" she returned dryly.
Stella accompanied her brother
to the store, where he gave an order
for sundry goods. Then they went
to the hotel to see if the trunks had
arrived. Within a few yards of the
fence which inclosed the grounds OF
st, Allwoods a man hailed Benton
and drew him a few steps aside.
| Stella walked slowly on, and pres
emily her brother joined her.
The baggage wagon had brought
the trunks, and when she had paid
her bill they were delivered at the
outer wharf end, where also arrived
| at about the same time miscel-
laneous assortment of supplies from
| the store and a Japanese with her
two handbags. So far as Miss Stella
Benton could see, she was about
| to embark on the last stage of her
journey
How soon will you start?" she
inquired when the last of the stuff
was slowed aboard the little
steamer.
Twenty minutes or So" Benton
answered. Say" he went on cas-
ually, have you got any money,
Stell? 1 owe a fellow $40 and
left the bank roll and my check
book at camp.
Miss Benton drew the purse from
her handbag and gave it to him.
He pocketed it and went off down
the wharf, with the brief assurance
that he would be gone only min
ute or so.
The minute, however, heightened
to nearly an hour, and Sam Davis
had his blow-off valve kissing, and
Stella Benton was casting impatient
glances shoreward before Charlie
strolled leisurely back.
"You needn't fire up quite so
strong SAM" he called down. I'VE
won't start for a couple of hours
yet"
"Suffrin' Moses!" Davis poked his
fiery thatch out from the engine
room. II might "a known better'n
to sweat over firm up. You gen.
orally manage to make about three
false starts to one getaway"
Benton laughed good naturedly
aud turned away.
(To be continued.l