The Prescott daily news., 1918-04-10


 she had been listening the past ten days. His enunciation wns perfect. He dropped no word endings nor slurred his syllables. And cast in so odd a mold is the mind of civilized woman that the small matter of little refinement of speech put Hazel Weir more at her ease than volume of explanation or protest on his part would have done.
 ''I got lost" she explained, growing suddenly calm. "I was out walking, and lost my way"
 "Easy thing to do when you don't know timber" Bill remarked. And in consequence you haven't had any SUD- per: you've been scared almost to death-and probably all of Cariboo Meadows is out looking for you. Well. you've had an adventure. That's worth something. Better eat bite. and you'll feel better"
 He turned over the piece of meat on the coals while he spoke. Hazel saw that 1t lay on two green sticks, like steak on gridiron. It was quite simple. but she would never have thought of that The meat exhaled savory odors. Also the warmth of the fire seemed good. But
 "Td rather be home." she confessed.
 Sure! guess you would-natu- rally. I'll see that you get there, though 1t won't be easy. It's no snap to travel these woods in the dark. You couldn't have been so far from the Meadows. How did it come you didn't yell once In a while?
 'I didn't think 1t was necessary" Hazel admitted. until 1t began to get dark. And then didn't like to-"
 He dug some utensils out of his pack layout-two plates. knife, fork and spoons, and laid them by the fire. Op- posite the meat pot of water bubbled. Roaring Bili produced smaii tin bucket, black with the smoke of many an open fire, and package, and make coffee. Then he spread canvas sheet. and laid on that bread, butter. salt. jar of preserved fruit.
 "How far Is 1t to Cariboo Meadows" Hazel asked.
 Bill looked up from his supper prep aratiOns.
 You've got me-" he returned care lessly. Probably four or five miles. I'm not positive; I've been running In circles myself this afternoon"
 Good heavens '" Hazel exclaimed. But you know the way?"
 Like a book-in the daytime" he ronlio1 put nt tvh In ha tit,hnr z another story. as you've just been find ing out for yourself"
 "I thought men accustomed to the wilderness could always find their way about, day or night" Hazel observed tartly.
 "They ean-in storles," Bill an swered dryly.
 She had to be satisfied with his as- surance that he would see her to Cari- boo Meadows. And accepting the situ- alton with what philosophy she could command. Hazel proceeded to fall to- and soon discovered herself relishing the food more than any meal she had eaten for q long time. Hunger Is the king of appetiZers, and food cooked in the open has n flavor of its own which no aproned chef can duplicate. Roar ing Bill put half the piece of meat on her plate, sliced bread for her. and set the butter handy. Also. he poured her n cup of coffee. He had small sack of sugar, and his pack boxes yielded condensed milk
 "What sort of meat is that?" H1Zel asked after few minutes of silence. It was fine-grained and of rich tla- vor strange to her mouth. She liked 1t, but 1t was neither beef. pork nor mutton, nor any meat she knew.
 "Venison. Didn't you ever eat any before?' he smiled.
 "Never tasted it." she answered. Isn't It nice? No. I've read of hunters cooking venison over an open fire, nut this is my first taste. Indeed. I've never seen real camp fire before"
 "Lord-what lot you've missed !" There was real pity In his tone. "l killed that deer today. Have some more coffee"
 He refilled her tin cup, and devoted himself to his food Before long they had satisfied their hunger. Bill laid a few dry sticks on the fire, The flames laid hold of them and shot up in bright, wavering tongues. It seemed to Hazel that she had stepped utterly out of her world. Carlboo Meadows. the school house, and her classes seemed remote. She found herself wishing she were man. so that she could fare into the wllds with horses and gun In this capable man fashion. where routine went by the board and the unexpected