Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-04-27

loaded.
Where's McTavish?" Bryce de-
manded of the dOnkey-driver.
The man mouthed his Quid, spat
copiOusly wiped his mouth with the
back of his hand and pointed. up
at his slanty." he made answer, ana
grinned at Bryce knowingly.
Up through the camps single short
street, fanked on each side with the
wOOdsmenS shantieS, Bryce went. AT
the most pretentious shanty on the
street Bryce turned in. He had never
seen it before, but he knew it to be
the wOOdS-bOsss home. for unlike lts
neighbOrs the house was painted with
the coarse red paint that is used on
bOx-cars, while fence, made Of fancy
pointed pickets painted white, inclOsed
tiny garden in front Of the house.
AS Bryce came through the gate,
young girl rose from where she knelt
in bed of freshly transplanted
pansies.
Bryce lifted his hat. rs Mr.. Nc
lavish at home?" he asked.
She nodded. ole cannot see any
body" she FASTENED to add. Hes
sick
Il think he'll see me. And wonder
If you're MORA McTavish."
Eyes, I'm Mora."
"I'm Bryce Cardigan"
A look of fright crept into the girls
eyes. Are you-Bryce CardiganT'
she faltered. and looked at him more
closely. Yes. you're Mr.. Bryce. You've
changed-but then it's six years since
we saw you last, Mr.. Bryce"
He came toward her with outstretch-
ed hand. "And you were little girl
when saw you last. Now-youre n
woman" she grasped his hand with
the frank heartnesS of q man.
I'm twenty years old" she informed
him.
"Stand right where you are until l
have looked at YOU" he commanded,
and backed off a few feet, the better
to contemplate her.
He saw a girl slightly above medium
| In a Bingham dress. Her hands were
soiled from her recent labOrs in the
pansy-bed, and her shoes were heavy
and coarse; yet neither hands nor feet
were large or ungraceful. Her head
was well formed; her hair, jet black
and Of unusual lustre and abundance,
was parted in the middle and held in
an Old-fashiOned coil at the nape OF
neck the beauty of which was re-
vealed by the low cut of her simple
frOck. Her nose was patrician, her
face oval her lips, full and red, were
slightly parted in the adorable Cupid's
bow which Is the inevitable heritage OF
short upper lip; Der teeth were
white as Paran marble; and her full
breast was rising and falling swiftly
element.
SO delightful picture did Moirs
McTavish make that Bryce forgot al
his troubles in her sweet presence
by the gods, MOira," he declared
earnestly. you're peach! When
saw you last. you were awkward and
leggy, like colt. I'm sure you weren't
bit good looking. And now you're
the most ravishing young lady in sew
enteen counties. BY lingo, MORA,
| you're a sumner and no mistake. Are
| you marred?"
She shook her head, blushing pleas
urably ut his unpublished but sincere
| compliments.
"What! Not married. Why. what
the deuce can be the matter with the
eligible young fellows hereabOuts?"
"rhere aren't any eligible young fell
lows hereabouts, Mr.. Bryce. And I've
lived In these woods all my life"
Are you lonely. MOira?'
She nodded.
'POor MORA! :" he murmured alb
sently.
The thought that he so readily I'M
derstOOd touched her; a CLINT of tears
was in her sad eyes. He saw them
and placed his arms fraternally around
her shoulders. "Tut.tut, MORA.
Don't cry" he sOOtlhed her. Il I'M
derstand perfectly. and Of course we'll
have to do something about it. You're
too fine for this" With sweep Of
his hand he indicated the camp. "Sit
down on the steps. MORA, and we'll
talk 1t over. really called to see
your father. but l guess don't want
to see him after all-if he's sick"
She lO0kel nj him hraYelY II didn't