The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-04-08

M the walking's too hard. I'll carry
you" he smiled to Alice Disbrow.
"Oh, MFR. Warren, how can you say
such thingsT' Alice pouted.
Jere and Agatha waited before the
camp for Alice. When she appeared
Agatha heard the man draw In his
breath Agatha was charming In her
| white serge skirt and short coat belted
In scarlet. Her tiny white felt hat
with its pheasant's wing and her high
boots of white suede made her more
than ever one OF his Illustrations.
In few minutes they left the trail
I! that led away from the camp, and
| struck inward through the forest.
/ They walked on and on until the light
slfted down dimly through the tree
tops, but they did not strike the
| stream.
] Agatha turned when she heard G
faint cry. Alice had slipped and twist
ed her foot on hidden stone. When
she reached her the girl was sudden
ly sick and dizzy.
"rhe streams only q bit farther.
You stay with her and will get some
water" the man said. When he came
hurrying back to dash some OF the
water on the girls face she turned
away pettIshly.
There's no reason TO ruin my dress"
she coinplaiaed. "Oh. II hurts sof she
began to cry weakly; while the tears
made furrows down her pink cheeks
and left the rouge showing In gro
tesque spots. :, -
WED better get back" .he man
said, before It gets dark"
The three made their way slowly
toward the trail. with Alice limping
painfully between them. Agatha
fancled she heard Jere give aSmut-
tered damn" when Alice wcpt. "Oh.
don't see why you brought me on
this horrld walk And now you don't
know how to get backl"
The darkness had fallen Suddenly.
ms II does In the north woods. and
Jere was doubtful OF his direction. He
looked comically at Agatha and her
gray eyes broke into twinkle Of
laughter 1--WE may have to make
night OF It," the man apologized. "Oc
course, they'll send out for us when
they discover we're lost. I ought not
to have brought you. but don't dare
take the risk Of leading you through
this wilderness without more light"
II should say you shouldn't have
brought us!' Alice cried. her pretty
, voice sharp now.
"T think it'll be rather lark" The
man heard the smile In Agathas voice.
Agatha helped him gather some dry
twigs for fire and soon they likhted
] the woods with bright blaze. Alice
] suIked In the background; when she
a did come near enough for the fire to
3 show the ravages that few hours had
] made In her appearance Agatha was
: filed with pity. The water dashed on
her SO unceremoniously had taken the
c careful wave from her hair. and her
'. white cheeks were stained with tenrs.
n And now that she had ceased TO be
r piquant and fiirtatious. her charm was
Il gone.
r Alice refused the chocolate that
= Agatha had stuffed In her pocket and
d drew away from the freight. Jere
r. and Agatha before the blaze eat
e munching chocolate. and the man
= looked at his companion with new
q eyes. She was just as fresh as she
Is had been when they left I'm the early
afternoon. Her eyes cleaned across
e mt him with their friendly frank gaze
e and the heat had lighted rosiness In
D. her clear brown skin.
o II was so dark now that the nfe
r alone lighted the woods with eeris
shadows. Agatha. looking behind. saw
II Alice huddled in little heap asleep
Il Jere Warren took of his coat and laid
e II over her gently. When he came
'e back to Agatha there was long 81
~ lence.
le The man. lighting his pipe, frownet
down into Its bowl before he spoke
ie "I've been a fool. Miss Holiness" n
said. 81 took the glitter for the gold
I and now | wonder Oh. I'm not goot
II nj that sort OF thing. but | mean
wonder II fellow would have {
DR. chance to be--your friend?"
The rose in Agatha's cheeks deep
N ened before she answered. and her eyei
n were no less friendy II they held new
an shyness. ~ should think so. Mr.. War
/, ren--If that girl was +"
to Far Off they heard the sound Of I
:, faint "Hallool Halloo."