New Britain herald., 1923-11-17

 feet. Her beautiful face had paled a little.
 Well" she flushed a little. and her tongue stumbled among the words. you are not quite the man that I--that have thought of-for --for--.'' She broke off again, laughed a little at herself and then blurted confusedly: You see all my life, from being very little girl, I have worshipped heroes"
 And I am not a hero." said Ain ley with harsh laugh. No. I am just the ordinary man doing the ordinary things. and my one claim to notice is that I love you. But sup pose the occasion came? Suppose T." He broke off and stood looking at her for a moment. Then he asked, Would that make no difference?"
 Tt might" replied the girl. the shrinking from the inhiction of too severe a blow.
 Then I live for that occasion'" cried Ainley. And who knows? Tn this wild land it may come any hour"
 As a matter Of fact the occasion offered itself six days alter--a Sun day. when Sir James Yardley had in- sisted on a days rest. The various members of the party were employ ing their leisure according to their inclinations. and Ainley had gone agfter birds for the pot, whilst Helen Yardely. taking ST all canoe. had padded down stream 10 explore creek where. according to one Of the Indians. colony of beavers had es- tabished itself.
 When Ainiey returned with couple of brace of wood partridges it was 10 find that the girl was still ab- sent from the camp. The day wore on towards evening and still the girl had not returned, and her uncle be- came anxious, as did others Of the party.
 Gerald Ainley called one Of tho In- dians to him, and ordered him to nut three days supply Of food into the canoe. blankets and a small folding tent, and was just preparing to de- part when Sir James drew near, and stared with evident surprise at the load in the canoe.
 Why, Gerald" hc said. you seem to have made preparations for long search"
 "That is only wise. Sir James. The river runs for sixty miles before it falls into the main river. and sixty miles will take good deal of search- ing. 1T the search is a short one. and tho food not needed. the burder Of il will matter little; on the other hand"
 Tn Gods name so, boy--and bring Helen back"
 The Indian in the bow of the canoe. after a little time, set inc course slantingly across the current. making for tho other side. and Ain Icy asked sharp question. Tho 1n- dian replied over his shoulder
 'Thc white klootchman 20 to sec the beaver. Beaver there.'
 He jerked his head towards creek now opening ont on tho further shore. and look CT impatience came on Ainley's face. He said nothing how ever, though to any one observing him closely it must have been abun- dsntly clear that he had no oxpeeta- ton Of finding the missing girl at the place which the Indian indicated As a matter Of fact they did not Turn ing into the creek they presently caught sounds that were new to Ain- ley. and he asked q question.
 "It is the beavers. They smitc the water with their tails!"
 Two minutets later they came in sight Of the dam and in the same moment the Indian turned the canoe towards soft bar of sand. \ few seconds later. having landed. he pointed to the sand. canoe had ! been bcached there and plain as the 1. footprints which startled Crusoe, were 1 the marks of moccasined feet going from and returning to the sand bar. {.
 White klootchman been herr. said the Indian. "shc go away. No good going to the beaver
 He turned 10 inc canoe again. and . Gerald Ainley turned with him. with put word in reply. !
 CHAPTER ".
 Tho canoe drew near tho first of ihr stands and tho Indian directed # in- lhore and in quiet hay as the canoe losted quietly out Of the current. he'd lifted up their voices and shouted gain and again.
 tContinued in Our Nert Issue