The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-11-30
D
EsEI0RT sTQRY
bod March's Girl
I ByKATE EDMONDs

anu lOOAOA S6AV * ~ "a 9St SSN9 ' "
the eyes.
"Your fathers legs pretty bad,
Jane" he said kindly.
You mean-heIl loose it?" de-
handed Jane in her direct way.
"He might. Needs care-better
send him to DR.. Frames place at
Wawmut."
How? He cant be moved"
I'm fix that-we can get him
over quite easily. The doctor has
everything to make it easy. Your
father will be all right by Christ
mas"
Jane nodded slowly. At last
she spoke and tears were near her
brave, brown eyes. 1--WE haven't
much money, left doctor" she con.
Cessed, land dad, being sick, Will
miss all the fall work-you know
the best guide on the mountains"
IT know 1t, Jane. It's a pity
that bear cIawed him."
"If 1 had been along 1t wouldn't
have happened. wonder how !
could earn some money, doctor?"
she said anxiously.
The doctor thought rapidly.
been with your father much?
Know woods? Can you shoOt?"
dHe says I'm as good as he is,
but of course I'm not. A girl
couldn't be-" she answered mod
estly. els there something l could
do?" she asked with hope In her
eyes.
latter your father goes to DR..
Frames I'll send old Red SPUR
rel's sQuaw over here-you know
Molly Basket? She's the best
chaperon in seven counties-wont
even let the stars blink at you!
Ny idea is this, Jane March-just
take your fathers place. When
his customers come-most of them
are old dodgers. from the city, fat
bankers and brokers who want a
bit of hunting and taste OF camp
Iife-you can guide 'em and Mol
~ Basket can cook, and you can
make believe your father is in the
cabin IL you want to!
Doctor, how Splendid" cried
Jane, and ran in to tell the plan
TO Tod March who listened at first
with horror, then dismay and at
last with resignation, for the leg
was bothersome and old Molly
Basket was a regular old she-bcar
to fight.
1--WE made only two engage
ments," he said weakly, "but both
OF them are for six weeks each
Major Babb-he always comes,
you know, and James Armstrong
--they'e old fellows, and won't
try to make love to you. Janie!"
Jane March felt quite excited
the day she expected Major Babb
but the elderly sportsman was so
intent upon shooting a big buck
and one bear that he didn't care
who guided him to the spot. Just
ono biz black bear, my dear" he
said to Jane, with hardly glance
at her trim form in its hunting
rig
II must find a bear for you,
laughed Jane, as she left the Major
10 Molly's delicious camp cooking.
She sang like lark as she climb.
ed the trail. 1t was so wonderful
10 be able to do this for her father
She had written him long let
Ter describing the majors arrival
and forwarding him the batch oil
newspapers and box of cigars the
city man had brought for the old
guide. Now she went back to the
camp with shining eyes.
Major Babb," she said, "youl
bear lives up by the clump OF hon
ey locusts-you remember where
The black rocks are? He has q
trail to the west"
"Good-good," purred the ma
jor, rubbing his fat hands.
The next day they found the
bear and the major shot him with
his accustomed skill, and Molly
Basket went hot-foot over the
mountain to fetch her son, Little
Squirrel, to take care OF the dead
monster.
Then the major got his buck
and after several days of idleness
he departed for home again, leav'
ing the Marches much richer thar
when he came. To Jane he gave
crisp hundred dollar bill. "Fol
the best guide ! ever had, hi
chuckled as he wrote out the Gus
tomary check.
Jane took week off and wen
to see her father and told him al
about the majors stay "Mr. Arm
strong will come next week-ant
when he goes it will be time fol
YOU to come home"
doctor suggests that stay
here till after Christmas-yor
might come too, Jane and get some
more schooling and buy some
clothes" smiled the old man.
"That's fine, father" she agreed
and went back TO the camp glow
ing with anticipation OF the win
ter months, often SO lonely to thu
mountain girl, although she hae
been away to school.
The next week Mr.. Armstrong
appeared, and with him big
strapping young man, who stared
WITH open surprise when Jane ex
planned the situation.
II'm sorry, Mr.. Armstrong" she
faltared; "you see father was bad
N injured and we have to have
money! really can look out fol-
Mr.. Armstrong; eyes twinkled
"Go ahead, Miss Jane" he sale
heartiIy. you've got grit.
- -anHauy o1n0p T3aN