The Dolores star., 1918-10-25
denrafly rested % hsfA You're ik'

denrafly rested On hefA You're me
ice. I didn't think about you getting
cold riding. Get down and put ON 2
coat. and I'll have fire In minute.
81 suppose II I must, I must; but l
can get of without any help, thank
you," Hazel answered ungraciously.
Roaring Bill made no reply. but
stood back, and when her feet touched
solid earth he threw over her shoulders
the coat he had worn himself. Then
he turned away, and Hazel saw him
STOPPING here and there, and heard
the crack of dry sticks broken over
his knee. In no time he was back to
the horses with an armful Of dry stun.
and had small blaze licking up
through dry grass and twigs. As 1t
grew he piled on larger sticks till the
bright flame waved two feet high,
lighting up the nearby woods and
shedding bright glow on the three
horses standing patiently at hand. He
paid no attention to Hazel until she
came timidly up to the fire. Then he
looked up at her with his whimsical
smile.
That's right" he said; come on
and get warm. No use worrying-or
getting cross. / suppose from your
civilized, conventional point of view
it's terrible thing to be out in the
woods all night alone with strange
man. But I'm not bear-I won't eat
you"
"pm sorry II seemed rude" Hazel
said penitentiy; II can't help thinking
| of the disagreeable side of 1t. People
talk so. l suppose I'll be nine dayS
wonder in Cariboo Meadows"
| Bill laughed softly.
| LET them take 1t out in wondering"
he advised. "Cariboo Meadows is d
very small and Insignificant portion Of
the world. anyway"
He went to one Of the packs. and
came back with canvas cover. which
he spread on the ground.
"Sit on that" he said. 1.-The earth's
always damp In the woods
Then he stripped the horses Of their
burdens and tied them out Of sight
among the trees. That task finished.
he took an Ak and rustled pile Of
|
fire and chopping them Into short
lengths. When finally he laid aside
his ak, he busled himself with gather
Ing grass and leaves and pine needles
until he had several armfuls collected
and spread in an even pile to serve as
mattress. Upon this he laid his bed
ding. two thick quilts, two or three
pairs Of woolen blankets, pillow, the
whole inclosed with a long canvas
sheet. the bed tarpaulin of the cattle
ranges.
"There," he said: you can turn in
whenever you feel like it."
| For himself he took the saddle blnn-
kets and laid them close by the fire
within reaching distance of the wood
pile, taking for cover a pack canvas
He stretched himself full length filed
his pipe, lit it, and fell to staring into
the fire while he smoked.
| Half an hour later he raised his
head and looked across the fire at
Hazel.
"Why don't you go to bedr' he
asked.
I'm not sleepy" she declared, which
was palpable falsehood, for her eye
lids were even then dropping.
maybe not, but you need rest" Bill
said quietly. "Quit thinking things,
It'll be all the same hundred years
from now. Go on to bed You'n be
more comfortable"
Thus peremptorily commanded, IA.
zel found herself granting Instant obe-
dience. She got into the blankets lust
ms she stood, even to her shoes. and
drew the canvas sheet up so that Il
hid her face-but did not prevent her
from seeing.
In spite Of herself she slept fitfully,
Now and then she would wake with q
start to half-frightened realization
or her surroundings and plight, and
whenever she did wake and look past
the i1re 1t was TO see Roaring Bill wag-
STAR stretched out in the red glow, his
brown head pillowed on one folded
arm.
Ihen all at once she Weakened out Of
sound slumber with n violent start
Roaring Bill was shaking the tnrpau-
lin over her and laughing.
Arise, Miss Sleeping Beauty!" ho
said boyishly. breakfasts ready"
He went back to the fire. Hazel sat
up, patting her tousled hair into some
| semblance of order. or in the east
a reddish streak spread skyward into
| somber gray. In the west, black night
gave ground slowly.
well, It's another day." she whis-
pered, as she had whispered to herself
once before. II wonder If there will
ever be any more like itf"