The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1918-03-06

an underwriting line. She recollected
that the point from which she had lost
her way had lain northeast Of Cariboo
Meadows. Even II they had swung
in circle. they could scarcely be
pointing for the town in that direction.
| For another hour Bill held to the
northern line as II needle holds to the
pole. A swift rush Of misgiving seized
| her.
Mr.. Wagstafri" she called sharply.
| Roaring Bill stopped. and she rode
4 SILK up past the pack horses.
"Where are you taking meT she de-
! manded.
| why, I'm taking you home-or try
Ing to-" he answered mildly.
But you're going north" she de-
clared. you've been going north all
morning. WIS north of Cariboo
Meadows when l got lost. How can
we get back to Cnriboo Meadows BY
going still farther northY'
you're more of woodsInnn than 1
Imagined" Bill remarked gently. He
smiled up at her. and drew out his
pipe and tobacco pouch.
Z She looked at him for a minute.
she asked quietly.
He met her keen gaze calmly. 81
do" he made laconic answer.
(which way is Cariboo Meadows.
then, and how far Is it?" she demand
ed.
General direction. SOUTH" he re-
Piled slowly. Fifty miles more or
less. Rather more than less"
"And you've been leading me
straight north I" she cried. "Oh, what
am going to dor"
Keep right on going" Wagstnff an
swered.
81 won't-I won'tl" she flashed. IN
find my own way back. What devilish
impulse prompted you to do such a
thingf'
you'll have a beautiful time Of IT,"
he said dryly completely ignoring her
last question. Take you three days
to walk there-if you knew every foot
of the way. And you don't know the
way. Travelling In timber is confus-
ing. as you've discovered. You'll never
see Cariboo Meadows. or any other
place, II you tackle II single-handed.
without grub or matches or bedding.
This is whopping big country. A
good many men have got lost In 1t
and other men have found their
bones"
He let this sink In while she sat
there on his horse choking back u wild
desire TO curse him by bell, book and
candle for what he had done. and hold
ing In check the fear of what he might
ho IN.
clusion that Roaring Bill Wagstan was
something of law unto himself, ca
pable of hewing to the line of his own
desires ut any cost. She realized her
utter helplessness. and the realization
left her without words. He had drawn
n vivid picture. and the Instinct OF self
preservation asserted itself.
you mIsled me- She found her
voice at last. "Whyf"
ibid ! mislead your he parted.
weren't you already lost when you
came to my campf And have l mis-
treated you In any mannerf Have
refused you food. shelter or helpf'
my home Is In Cariboo Meadows"
she persisted. II asked you to take me
there. You led me away from there
deliberately. / believe now"
MY trail doesn't happen to lead to
Cariboo Meadows. that's ALL" Roaring
Bill coolly told her. eff you must go
back there. shan't restrain you In
any way whatever. But I'm for home
myself And thnt."-he came close
and smiled frankly up at her-'is u
better place than Cariboo Meadows.
I've got little house back In the
woods. There's grub there. and meat
in the forest. and fish In the streams.
It's home for me. Why should i go
back to Cariboo Meadows? Or your
"why should l go with you'll" she
demanded scornfully.
Because I want you to-" he muir
INJURED.
They matched glances for a second.
Wagstaff smiling. she half Mortified.
"Are you clean mad?" she asked an
grily. 81 was beginning to think you
u gentleman"
Bill threw back his head and
laughed. Then on the instant he so
bered. mot gentleman" he said.
I'm Il plain man. And lonesome some
times for mate. as nature has or
dained to be the way Of flesh"
"Get squaw, then" she sneered.
'T've heard that such people as you
do that"
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