Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-12-30
bod March's Girl
By KATE, EDMoNDs


JSNe" he said kindly.
You mean-helI lose itf'' demand
ed Jane In her direct way.
HE might. Needs care - better
send him to DR.. Frames place at
KaWmut."
'HOwP He can't be moved"
'T1l fix that--we can get him over
suite easily The doctor has every
f'faing to make It easy. Your father
will be all right by Christmas"
JaOe nodded slowly. At last she
spoke and tears were near her brave.
brown eyes. "We haven't much money
left. doctor" she confessed, "and dad.
being sick, will miss all the fall work
you know the best guide on the
mountains"
Y know It, Jane. It's a pity that
bear clawed him." ~
re / had been aIong-It wouldn't
have happened wonder how 1
could earn some money, doctor?" she
said anxiOusly.
The doctor thought rapidly. Been
With your father much2 Know woods7
Can you shoot?
He says I'm as good as he is, but Of
course Tn not. A girl couldn't be-"
she, answered modestly. "Is there
something can do?' she asked with
hope in her eyes,
after your father goes to DIR.
Frames I'll send Old Red Squirrels
Squaw over here-you know Molly
Basket? She's the best chaperOn in
seven counties-won't even let the
stats blink at you! My idea is this.
Jane March-just take your fathal's
place. When his customers come
most of them are old cOdgers from
the city, fat bankers and brokers who
want bit of hunting and a taste of
camp life-yOu can guide 'em and
Molly Basket can cook, and you can
make believe your father Is in the
cabin If you want tot"
Doctor, how splendidi" cried Jane.
nsRd ran in to tell the plan to bod
March, who listened at first with hor-
r0F, then dlsmay and at last with resig-
nation, for the leg was bOthersOme and
cid Molly Basket was a regular old
sle-bear to fight. '
1--WE only made two engagements"
he said YEARLY, but both of them are
for six weeks each-MajOr Babb--he
always comes, you know. aud James
AT1nstrOng-they're old fellows and
won't try to make love to you, jamie I"
Jane March felt quite excited the
day she expected Major Bahh, hmt the
elderly sportsman was so intent upon
shooting big buck and one bear that
he didn't care much who guided him to
the right spot. "Just one big black
bear, my dear" he said to Jane, with
hardly glance at her trim form In
it's hunting rig.
4 must find bear for you" laughed
Jane, as she left the major to Molly
Baskets delicious camp cooking. She
sang like lark as she climbed the
trail. 1t was so wonderful to be able
to do this for her father. She had
written him long letter describing the
majors arrival and forwarding the
batch Of 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, your bear
lives UP by the clump of honey To-
eusts-yOu remember where the black
rocks are2 He has trail TO the
west"
=. "GOOd-gOOd," purred the mailer,
Fubblng his fat hands,
The next day they found the bear
and the major shot him with his ac-
custOmed skill, and Molly Basket went
hOt-fOOt over the mountains 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 de-
parted for home again, leaving the
Marches much richer than when he
eame. To Jane he gave a crisp hun
dred-dollar bill. "FOr the best guide
/ ever had" he chuckIed as ne wrote
cut the customary check.
Jane took a week OF and went TO
see her father and told him all about
the majors stay. .Mr. Armstrong
VIII come next Week-dn0 When he |
goes it win be time for you to come
home"
Doctor suggests that I stay here
uath after Christmas sou might |
GENE, TOO. Jane, and get some more
schooling and buy some Clothes"
smiled the old man.
That's fine. father" she agreed, aud
went back to the camp glowing with
anticipation of the winter months, Of |
ten so lonely to the mountain girl al
though she had been away to school.
The next week Mfr. Armstrong mp
Peared and with him a big. strapping
yOuug man, who stared with open sur
prise when Jane explained the stu
alton.
'I'm sorry. Mr.. Armstrong" she fall
tered you see, father was badly in
jared and we had to have money!
really can look out for you"
Mr. Armstrong; eyes twinkled. go
ahead. Miss Jane" he said. heartily.
.sYOu'ye got grit. brought my nepllaw