Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-10-17

As often happens at skylines in
California, the nature of the country
there changed They had toIled up an
open hillside of scattered trees and
dense brush. They slid into an Inn
mense, cool, high forest, with dripping
waters. The scale of things had been
changed. This should have been the
abode of giants. The trees were
twenty feet thick and incredibly tall
Burton had seen redwood trees be-
fore, at Santa Cruz, and on the Rus
sian river; and had been struck small
BY them, as Is always the most care
less visitor. But never had she seen
one of the redwood forests of the
north. The sullenness In her eyes was
replaced by startled, somewhat
awed look. For here the columnar
cathedral effect of the trees them
selves was further supplemented by
the growth beneath them. The sum-
nit OF the mountain they had crossed
marked the dividing line beneath the
damp sea climate of moisture, and a
deep rich humus. AS consequence
the tiny road twisted through soft
padded chamber of green MOSES, of
high ferns. There were no harsh an
giles, no raw patches Of earth: thick
velvet covering had been laid over
every rock, over every fallen tree, and
everywhere grew the gigantic feathery
ferns In clumps In patches; from the
crevices In rocks; from tiny splits In
the living trees; from the trunks and
the upturned roots of the fallen giants.
They were exactly like the bracken
we see on the hillsIdes: only here
they were eight or ten feet tall. 1t
was incredible, unparalleled.
The motor car eoasted slowly for a
half mile and came to where little
stream crossed beneath bridge.
"stop here, Simmins,n Grimstead
commanded. Somehow the fact that
his voice sounded normally loud and
audible surprised Burton. 1t seemed
to her that 1t, too. should have been
struck small. "How's that for d
camnl" he cried triumphantly.
The car was brought to q standstill
In the middle of q grass plot, and all
debarked. Grimstead was loudly and
bustlingly efficient. Gardiner as usual,
glided about like languid and unin-
terested spectator, but he did great
deal. Simmins, quite cheered at do
Ing something accustomed, hustled out
the lunch basket and the thermos
cases and proceeded to lay things out
In seemly and proper style. Simmlns
was an engaging person, creature
OF the moment His light-hearted, gay
and expansive disposition was warred
upon sternly by his sense Of correct
ness and good form. The natural self
within him would have carried him
through life skiptiously, like the giddy
goat; but 1t wasn't done, you know.
He loved simply adored playing up TO
his part, which was solemn, eminently
correct, terrifcally imposing, and he
could do 1t In such manner as TO
dash or make seIf-cOnscious all but
the drunkest or most conventional.
All the while his reprehensble, natural
self was watching him delightedly,
hardly able to hold Itself down In Its
enthusiasm over the complete success
OF the performance.
He solemnly spread the cloth and
laid out the utensils and the food.
After the food had been properly ar
ranged he drew away to survey his
handiwork. He paused to pluck II
handful Of azaleas with which he gar
nished the corners of the cloth. Then
he drew himself erect.
Supper is served, sir" he an
nounced.
1t was absurd: but 1t was sublime.
All three Of the travellers recognized
the fact as they came to take their
places. Gardiner looked with awe
upon the wooden figure standing at at
tention; Grimstead stared; Burton
cast fleetingly hooking glance that
missed by a thousand miles.
'Now, this Is real adventure!"
cried Grimstead heartily. He was still
uncertain as to the moods with which
his offspring was meeting said adyen-
ture whether she considered it lark.