The Bossier banner., 1922-03-23

ness of the seventh night since their
departure from EmersOn-when. like
a mole on the face of the plain, lit
tie gray lump grew on the horizon.
Arthurs rose in his sleigh and waved
his fur cap in the air; Harris sent
back an answering cheer. Slowly the
mole grew until in the gathering shad-
ows it took on indistinctly the shape
Of building, and just as the rising
moon crested the ridge Of the Pembi-
ma hills the travellers swung up at the
door. Arthurs walked unerringly to a
nail on the wall and took down a Ian
tern; It's dull fame drove the mist
slowly down the glass, and presently
the light was beating back from the
glistening frost which sparkled on ev-
cry log Of the little room.
"Well, here we are in Hungry Hall,
said Arthurs. Everything just as /
left it." Then, turning to his wife.
Come, ILL.," he said. "Jack. perhaps
you have an engagement Of your own.'
He took his wife IN passionate en-
brace and planted a fervent kiss upon
her lips. while Harris followed his ex-
ample. Then they sat down on the
boxes that served for chairs. amid a
happiness too deep for words.
So the minutes passed until Mrs. Ar
thurs sprang to her feet. "Why.
Mary" she exclaimed, 81 do believe
you're crying" while the moisture
glistened on her own cheek 'Now,
You men. clear out! 1 suppose you
think the horses win stable them
selves? Yes, I see you have the box
full Of wood. Fred. That's not so bad
for q start. Leave some matches. and
say, You might just get our boxes In
here. Remember we've lived In these
clothes for the best part Of two
weeks"
The young men sprang to their task.
and as soon as they we're out Of the
house the girls threw their arms about
each other and wept like women to-
gether. It was only for q moment a
quick dash of the hand across the
eyes, and both were busy removing
coats and wraps. The door opened.
and their ''boxes." as well as other
equipment from the sleighs, were car
ried In, and the men disappeared -to
the little stable at the back OF the
house. After several attempts the
girls succeeded IN starting a Are in the
rusted stove. and soon its grateful heat
was radiating to every corner Of the
room.
The house was built Of poplar logs.
hewed and. devastated at the corners
with the skill Of the Ontario woods
man. It was about 12x16 feet IN size.
with collar-beams eight feet from the
floor. The roof was OF two thick
nesses Of elm boards. with tar paper
between. The floor was Of poplar
boards. The door was In the east
side, near the southeast corner; the
stove stood about the center Of the
east wall. The only window was In
the south; six panes Of 8x1O glass suf.
flced for light. Through this window
another lantern shone back from the
darkness, and the fickering light from
the stove danced In duplicate. A rough
board table sat under the window .
box nailed in the southwest corner ev
identity served as cupboard. No tool.
or movables Of any value had beer
left In the place, Arthurs having stored
such effects with neighbor. som,
dozen miles away. lest they be stolel
from the cabin by some unscrupulou
traveller during his absence
The days that followed were day
Of intense activity for both men an,
women. There was much to do. In
side and out. In the interior Of th,
little house an extraordinary chang
was wrought; simple draperies an,
pictures relieved the baroness Of tn
walls; shelves were built for the &C
commodation OF many trinkets dear +
the feminine heart; a rag carpet GOV
cred the center Of the floor; plain bu
4 appetizingi dishes peeked enticingl
from behind the paper curtain tina
now clothed the bare ribs OF the cur
board and sense of LONELINESS PEI
| vaded the atmosphere.
A week had passed, and no sign 3
life, other than that Of the little part
itself. had been seen about the Al
thurs homestead, when one day Hal
ris' eyes already becoming keen to tn
prairie distances, espied a dark poir
on the horizon. 1t grew slowly fro1