The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-01-19
bod March's Girl
By KATE EDMONDS

The doctor from over-the-mountain
stood on the door stone at bod March's
cabin and looked Jane March straight
In the eyes.
"Your fathers legs pretty bad,
Jane" he said kindly.
"You mean-he'll lose IT." demand
ed Jane In her direct way.
HE might. Needs care - better
send him to DR.. Frames place at
Wawmut."
"How? He can't be moved"
"I'll fix that-we can get him over
quite easily. The doctor has every
thing to make 1t easy. Your father
will be all right by Christmas"
Jane nodded slowly. At last she
spoke and tears were near her brave.
brown eyes. 1--WE haven't much m0neJ
left. DOCTOR" she confessed. land dad,
being sick, will miss all the fall work
You know the best guide on the
mountains"
II know 1t, Jane. It's a pity that
bear clawed him."
1T had been along-it wouldn't
have happened. wonder how I
could earn some money, doctor?" she
said anxiously.
The doctor thought rapidly. Been
with your father muchf Know woods?
Can you shoot?
"He says Tn as good as he Is, but Of
course I'm not. A girl couldn't be-"
she answered modestly. us there
something can dor she asked with
hope In her eyes.
"After your father goes to DR..
Frames I'll send Old Red Squirrels
squaw over here--you know Molly
Basket? She's the best chaperon in
eeven counties--won't even let the
stars blink at you! My 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 bit Of hunting and taste Of
camp life-yOu can guide 'em and
Molly Basket can cook, and you can
cabin II you want tor"
doctor, how splendid I" cried Jane,
and ran In to tell the plan to bod
March. who listened at first with hor-
ror, then dlsmay and at last with resig-
nation, for the leg was bothersOme and
old Molly Basket was regular old
she-bear to fight.
"Tve only made two engagements"
he said wearily. but both Of them are
for six weeks each-Major Babb-he
always comes, you know. and James
Armstrong-they're old fellows and
won't try to make love to you. jamie |"
lane March felt quite excited tho
day she expected Major Babb. but 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
Its hunting rig.
~ 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. II 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-
custs-you remember where the black
rocks aref He has trail to the
west"
"Good-good." purred the major.
rubbing his fat hands.
The next day they found the bear
and the major shot him with his &C.
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
came. To Jane he gave crisp hun
0Icu-uOtuE Ulit. TUT TIE OeSt Suiue
I ever had" he chuckled as he wrote
cut the customary check.
Jane took a week Oft and went to
see her father and told him all about
the majors stay. mfr. Armstrong
will come next week-and when he
goes It will be time for you to come
home"
Doctor suggests that stay here
until after Christmas - you 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 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 Mr.. Armstrong ap-
peared and with him a big. strapping
young man, who stared with open sur
prise when Jane explained the stu
alton.
"Tm sorry. Mr.. Armstrong" she fal-
tered; 'you see. father was badly in