Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-01

my brother knows that was sent
back and + shall lose the wager. The
wager Is Buster He bet Buster, who
really likes me much better than ne
J does my brother. that wouldn't stay.
He said he would give him to me for
keeps if stuck it out
Martin laughed alphabetically.
TOO bad, little girl he said. Then.
Perhaps we can manage some way.
At any rate you can't go back home
tonight. in all this rain, and 1t would
take till long past dark to ride down
the mountain to the nearest settle
ment You see the truth is thought
you were going to be a man. and !
wrote that notice asking you to meet
me here today. | was coming down TO
meet you part way when ! came upon
you just now. The rest Of the fellows
don't come TIL tomorrow. have been
here for two days and the supplies for
a week are all up in the lodge.
wanted to have you there to look them
over and get things arranged before
the others came You were to be in
charge Of the kitchen with two or
three of the fellows as your assistants.
I'm sorry Do you think you will be
afraid to spend the night alone in the
cabin there-Tll pitch a tent for my
self outside and in the morning I'll
ride down the mountain side with you
and you will be gone before the men
get here They need never know about
tonight.
Then shall have to go in the morn
ing?'
Perhaps not" Martin answered.
perhaps we can manage. but any way
you'll be good sport and help me get
the kitchen things arranged tonight.
won't you? And then shall try to get
a man cook afterward, though it won't
be easy
So Lee Bradstreet and Martin Day
continued their way to the cozy lodge
on the mountain side a mile beyond
the spot where they had first met.
There fire was already burning that
Martin had started that morning. The
horses fed and under shelter for the
night. and refreshed themselves by
the enthusiastic new cook, they pro-
ceeded TO spend the evening convert
ing the lodge into a suitable camp
kitchen and mess room. While Lee
rave orders Martin put IN racks and
shelves to facilitate the cooking. and
together they counted and sorted the
supplies and arranged tables and
benches till, by O'Clock, they were
the best of all possible comrades. |
When the clock struck Martin called
a halt !
Time to bunk now be announced
abruptly. You won't be afraid, will |
your My tent is right outside your
door and there isn't soul on the
mountain. You are the pluckiest girl
/ know. and you're not going to dream
about bears and wildcats. are you?"
She shook her head. but not emphat- !
ically. but | shall have to go home |
tomorrow. shant ="
I'll see ! am going to think over |
a plan I'll tell 1t to you in the morn |
stay-and I am sure we need you"
Lee clasped her hands in delight. II
would make perfect boy she cried. |
And ! should be willing &c cut my !
hair all off. honest | would. Is that |
going to be the way ! can stay"
Cant tell you now" Martin said |
opening the lodge door. Holding ont !
a warm hand he babe her good night !
and slipped out through the darkness
to his tent outside the door.
They were sitting by the stove the |
next morning drinking coffee from |
a gateware cups. II was $50, the time
for breakfast at camp. Then
II was that Martin reported on his
nights coeitations.
This is what have decided he
announced. 'If you were married to
me it would be perfectly proper for