The state herald., 1920-12-14
BOOK LIBERALIZATION.

CHAPTER I.-warned by his physician
that he has not more than six months to
live. Failing sits despondently on Il park
bench, wondering where he should spend
those six months. A friendly squirrel
practically decides the matter for him.
His blood is pioneer blood. and he decides
to end his days in the forests of Oregon.
Memories of his grandfather and deep
love for all things of the wild help hin,
In reaching a decision
riOus that Dan succeeded so well the
drst time he tried 1t. He had sense
enough to relax first, before he frOze.
Thus he didn't put such a severe
strain on his muscles.
The squirrel. after ten seconds had
elapsed. stood on his launches to see
better. First he looked n long. time
with his left eye. Then he turned his
head and looked very carefully with
his right. Then he backed off Il short
distance and tried 10 get focus with
both. Then he came some half-dozen
steps nearer.
A moment before he had been GER
tain that n living creature-in fact
one of the most terrible and powerful
living creatures In the world-had
been sitting on the park bench. Now
his poor little brain was completely
added. He was entirely ready to be-
Bushy-taIl drew Off u little further,
fully convinced ut last that his hopes
Of a nut from child's hand were
blasted. But he turned to look once
more. The figure still sat utterly In
ert. And nll at once he forgot his de-
vourIng hunger In the face Of an over.
whelming curiosity.
He came somewhat nearer and
looked long time. Then he made a
hnlf-c!rcle about the bench. turning
his. head as he moved. He was more
puzzled than ever, hut he was no
longer afraid. His curiosity had be-
come so Intense that no room for fear
wns left. And then he sprang upon
the park bench.
Dan moyed then. The movement
consisted Of sudden hclghtening OF
the llgh; In his eyes. But the SPUR.
rel didn't see H. II takes muscular
response 10 be visible 10 the eyes Of
the Wild things,
The squirrel crept slowly along the
bench. stopping TO snlfi. stopping to'
stare with one eye aud another, Just
leyoured from head to tail with curl
osIty. Aud then he leaped ON Dams
l;nec
He was quite convinced. by now.
,hai this warm perch on which he
stood was the most singular and In.
tercsting object of his young life. #
was true that he was family worried
by the smell that reached his nostrlls
But all Il really did WAS further to. In.
cite his curiosity. He followed the
leg NJ TO the hip and then perched on
the elbow. And an instant more he
was poklng n cold nose into Dams
neck.
But II the squirrel was excited by
all these developments. Its nmazement
was nothing compared TO Dams. 1t
had been the most astounding incl
dent In the mnn's life. He sat still.
ungling with delight And in a single
fash Of Inspiration he knew he had
como nm0nr his own people nt last. He
knew where hc would spcpd his lus,
SIX months af life.
His own grandfather had been q
hunter and trnppcr and frontlersmnn
IN certain vast but little known ore.
/ Eon forest His son had moved to the
eastern cities, but In Dams garre,
; there used to be old mcmentoes and
curlos from these savage dag s--n few
claws md teeth, and fragment Of IN
old diary The cali had come to him
ut last Tendcrfoot though he was
Dan would go back TO those forests
10 spend his last six months OF III,
among. the wild creatures thnt mnd,
them their home.
CHAPTER n.