The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-11-21
|1HE FOREST NAM.
BY JACK LAYTON.


trees interlaced overhead. His up
turned face was Drowned as one ac-
epstomed to the. open. and Its fine fea-
tVres seemed full Of strength and pur-
ppse He frowned now up into the
trees. and stretched easily his 1.-THE
frame. -~r.
sFishing tackle, and an open book
failed to. interest In his present dis
satisfied mood. he sat up impatiently
1T last gazing. still scowling, into the
water. No sound disturbed the wilder
ness of green things. Instinct alone
eansed the man to turn his bead, and
che saw-her She stood just In the
opening, her, bronze gold hair gleam-
ing In the sunlight, her blue eyes re-
garding him, her red lips smiling-an
unbelievable. almost unknown vision
Of q girl.
Throughout his boyhood he had loved
wilds like young animal, and had
gloried In his freedom.
That last group of engineers and the
books they left him to read brought
his awakening. Reading was his Joy
and relaxation. he was thankful to his
father for the one privilege that the
strange personality had allOwed-mak-
ing 1t possible for his isolated SON to
uttend the crude structure at the foot
Of the hills called school house.
Dams learning was accomplished
quickly, Pop needed the boys time
for the saving and piling of logs and
the Homework of the little cabin. Now
that the old man was dead, big Dan
bewildered, diffident and fearful of
civilizations ridicule. continued In the
primitive way.
The girl-vision caught at his breath,
and left him speechless. Still smiling.
she came toward him and sank down
on the grass at his side.
1--WE watched and watched you,"
she said calmly, "and this Is the first
morning that I've found you idle.
Won't the fish bite?-or have you all
the sketches In your book by memory?
YoH study them so much"
She picked up the book.
Something about fOrestry-is 1t
not2 You readY she asked mis-
ehievously, "yet-you cannot speak?"
Dan cleared his throat, his great
hands trembled.
'You-surprised me-" he said. "HOw
did you come an where
The vision-girl held out protesting
hands.
$50 you can speak, man." she said,
-and you surprise me alsO-by your
accent. It's quite ineligible. But then,
old Mamie told me all about you; the
nice mother you had, and how she
eame to this END O. the world place.
years ago with your father, and all
Because she loved him." The girls
eyes widened. "That must have been
a wonder-love, man." she said, "real
Iove-the only kind-that's fit to mar
~ on" She stopped abruptly and
laughed soft laugh, that somehow
stirred the big mans heart.
II will answer your questions" said
the girl. II came here alone because
Il was running away. passed this
quiet spot once, when we were touring.
And 1t occurred to me In my plight
that ii would be good place to hide
in. old Mamie made us tea that tour
ing time, so came to stop with Nan
ME in her shack"
you've run away!" Dan said slow
BY, unexpected severity. showed in his !
face and tone.
The vision-girl stared.
ssIabha h< xr,o,,t ~, sx,o,,,Il toll 49,, /
tust what it was you ran away from
mebbe, we ought to know"
II will tell you," answered the girl |
impulsively, because you are kind, |
and just. Semeway-I know this: / |
ran away from my approaching mar
rage to rich man for whom / do not |
care at all. 1t was an honor to be |
chosen by him-my people said so. 1t |
was the climax of their ambition. Do |
you by any chance know what 1t means |
to be copper king? Well, 1t was the
famous copper King who was to make
me his wife. Was-but / ran away. |
Nothing else could save me from his
determination. Oil he Is successful
and-tiresome, this great man. I don't
love him, you see. I'm one of those odd
women, your mothers kind, who would
glory in giving their. all--for love.
Without it." the girl held out
empty hands; then looked up at the
man with frightened eyes. II had al
most forgotten you were here" she
said, that I was talking to you.
when the scandal and chatter con-
corning my dramatic disappearance
have ceased, I'll go back. Until then,
you must let me talk to you man. Old
Mamie says, that / may be able to
help you with the hooks you try to I'M
derstand. Mamie loves you."
A great light came into Dams dark
eyes. Eagerly he bent toward the girl.
But have talked with few wom-
en-" he said humbly. "Never before,
with any woman like you"
almost" she said, II think, that /
have talked with few-men. Never
before. II is certain, with one like you"
And not long affar In a for awav |