The Little River news., 1921-11-30
"A Daughter of
 the Frontier By FREDERICK CLARKE.

Copyright, 1921, Western Newspaper Union
 A fairer picture Burt Dawson fan cied he had never seen, and for a minute or two he paused, screened by the leafy verdure. A girl, tall, fair, had filled her pitcher at the spring. Ere she took it up to carry it to the house, two hundred yards distant, she stood looking into the face of the ra- diant sunset.
 Her eye frightened as young Daw- son stepped into view.
 T start on my mission in the morn ing" he said. Ut will seem lonely jaunt, more of wilderness than ever after the beautiful days have passed in this haven of rest"
 My uncle has told me-" said Elose, and paused there and a faint film seemed to dim those beautiful eyes and q quiver crossed her face. ''He fears you are taking a dangerous risk, and T."
 Again she paused. Her glance dropped as Burt approached nearer He had taken her shapely hand.
 And you?" he intimated gently, and his tones carried a tremulous thrill
 q hope I have not brought you trouble" she said wistfully. II wish that you would not undertake this per- ilous mission." Her hands began to tremble. and she placed them plead- ingly upon his arm. The tears came into her eyes.
 His arm crept about her as she lifted her glance. She could not help but read the earnest lovelight in his honest eyes.
 Don't go," she whispered. "Oh, for my sake-let me go! I dare not
 In amazement Burt felt her tear herself from his clasp, saw her dart towards the house like hunted, frightened bird. Then he gave quick start Weaving his way in and out of the dense underbrush, he made out skulking form.
 Burt had been sent by the engineer ing firm employing him to inspect the district in conjunction with "a new irrigation and railroad project. He had arrived at the border town of Fifeld, Okla, one week previous. It was necessary for him to make in- quiries there before he prosecuted his journey. He had been directed to MT. Treherne, the uncle of Eloise, who was acquainted through the entire section. He had found him to be former itinerant preacher, but now living some miles from town and en- gagged in small cOoperage business. He and his niece led the truly simple life. Burt had become their well come guest; the days had drfted on pleasantly
 One evening, however, Burt had foretaste of the people he was des- tined to meet if he continued on his journey. Another uncle of EloiSe, named John Rivers, accompanied by "the bad lands" Rivers was voluble in his demand that his niece should spend part of her time at his home over the border. Burt even surmised that it was Jeff Wadhams who was urg- ing him to this. The eyes of the des- life partner. Very clearly MT. Ire herne told his brother-in-law that his demand would not be granted.
 At eleven o'clock that night Burt was aroused from his sleep. It was Treherne, who told him to get up and Io ITAl I,no rntp the house into the stout log workshop over the river, where he did his rude cooperage tasks.
 Eloise was there. She stood at the one window of the place with rifle in her hand, looking every inch an in- trepid daughter of the frontier. In some amazement Burt glanced out. Mounted on horses, armed, some of them bearing torches, were twenty men. Jeff Wadhams was their leader.
 What do you want hereT' demand ed MT. Treherne, going to the window, and Jeff came forward.
 "We want man calling himself Dawson and an engineer" he re- sponded. "We have information that he is a spy, disguised detecEve, and we are going to string him up. This isn't your business, Treherne. Deliv- CT him up."
 'I want time to consider" spoke MT. Treherne, and his face was grim, and Eloise kept watch and ward at the window.
 MT. Dawson," said Treherne, there is just one way to escape, but you must do what I say and act quickly. I shall barrel you up, with hammer and chisel, drop you into the river and you will float away while these men are wasting their time here."
 And leave Eloise to be carried away by that ruftian outside?" cried Burt. "I will die fighting, first!"
 The old man was silent. He studied the face of his guest keenly.