The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-27
Gss3 NE A seRv,cE.iNc.

shall ser a messenger to ROdWell, at
Fort Malsun. instructing him to send
you down an outfit hat will last the
winter If necessary, and you will have
carte blanche to follow you own
plans.
Yes, Sir James! I shall spare no
effort to that end, and 1 may say that,
if possible. 1 am even more anxious
about her han you"
A ha.f-smile came on the great
mans face, as he nodded: II under
stand. Ainley; 1 am not blind. 1t
was for hat reason I decided that
you should have charge of the search
party, seeing that you have-er-
extra inducements. Find my niece,
bring her back to me. and then we
can talk over the matter"
At the very time when Ainley was
congratulating himself on h oppor-
tunity opening put before him, Helen
Yardely was seated on a log by the
side of the man whom he hated.
There was a high color in her face
and she vas laughing a little ner-
vously as she looked at the aston
ished face Of the sick man who had
been her rescuer and was now her
patient.
Miss Yardely," cried Stane. do
YOU really mean what you say?"
"Of course 1 do" replied the girl
lightly.
"And Gerald Ainley with another
man camped within two miles Of here
two nights ago?"
II should say. the distance to the
lake is even less than that" replied
Helen with a little laugh.
Stane looked at her incredulously.
Here was something that was beyond
him.
"Why-why did you let them go?"
he cried sharply.
You forget my pride as amateur
surgeon and nurse" she retorted. Il
like to see the end of things that
I begin. and II 1 had brought Mr..
Ainley up here he would have wanted
to take me away. and leave you with
the Indian" She broke off. and
looked at him with a gay smile. Per
haps you would have preferred"
mo- MOI he interrupted protest
ingly.
And there is another reason-quite
as selfish as the last. You see, Mr..
Stane. I have been d~elicately reared;
boarding school, Newham-the usual
round you know, London in the sea-
son.. Scotland in the autumn. and the
shirss for the hunting months. 1t is
an .nane sort of life, as I have al
ways telt pleasant enough at first,
-. -~-1 e. oil shot and afra~ .
time rather a bore. Can you under
stand that?"
She broke off. and gave a little
laugh. then continued: Now l havo
my chance to prove I'm something
better than a dol, and I'm not going
to be robbed of it by Gerald Ainley,
my uncle. or any one else This camp
depends on me for a time at least,
and I'm going to make good; and
prove myself for my own satisfac-
ton. Do you underestimate"
yes" answered Stane. his eyes
shining with admiration.
And there was no question that
Helen Yardely was happy. She
radiated gladness as she made her
way toward the lake carrying an
EXPRESS rifle in the crook of her arm.
AS she reached the lake side, how
ever, she looked round shifting the
air thoughtfully. There was a fire
somewhere. for there was the smell
Of burning spruce in the atmosphere.
There was nothing in her snare
but as she approached a large patch
of water-reeds a sock Of wild geese
rose into the air. "honking" in alarm.
Instantly the rife was at her
shoulder. and as she fred. a gander
ierked in the air. and then fell IKE
a son back into the reeds. J. tool;
her some time TO retrieve it. and
when she had done so. she looked
round again. Puzz'ed. she returned
to the camp. looked at her own fire
which was burning low and which
! could NIT possibly he the explanation
Of that which was pe~rplexing her.
and without saying anything to her
companion about It, turned in for the
night.
She awote early to find q wind
humming in the treet0ps and I'M
media+ely there imp!need upon her
ros+rils the odor Of burning wood.
Up the lakeside the shore was
hidden under rolling clouds OF
smoke. the dark green Of the woods
was shrouded by the same blush
veil. and +hC air seemed full Of dis
tant cracking. Out of the veil OF
smoke as she watched broke a long
leapfng tongue of yellow fame. and
the air blowing toward her seemed
hot as a furnace. Her face paled
! hefore the terror in front. Her first
thought was for the sick man who
was in her care. The camp was
iii ectly in the line Of fire. and, if the
wind kept up. must inevitably burn.
She would have to get hin away.
Eut how?
Stane was awake. lifted up on one
elbow. an anxious look upon his face.
As his eyes saw her pallor. he knew
that a fear which in the last few
moments had come to him was not
groundless.
"Ah." he cried. " the timber is on
fire. I thought I could smell It."
yes" she answered, and the wind
is driving the fire this way"
"You will have to go. Miss Yardely,"
he answered quickly. THE fire travels
quickly il such timber as this. You
must not mind me-
You want me to run away and
leave you to die" cried the girl. Il
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