The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-12-06
t Chapter 16 PEGGY SUFFERS MISHAP


 The brilliant sunshine through the woods, the chirping birds ant the chattering squirrels frisking- all conduced to raise Peggys spirits Peggy's rapid gait slackened as sht drew closer to the Milton road.
 She was headed for the Evans farm. She had started out iInpul- Eively to return the letter she hat found the night before in the batch Julia had brought back from the rnailbox.
 One of them was addressed tc Obadiah Evans and apparently hac been placed in the Yew Lodge box next to the Evans by mistake What had interested her, however was the neatly typed name ot Comm. Jamieson Sinclair in the upper left hand corner over the official wording: U. s. Navy de- pertinent, Washington, D. c.
 She wanted very much to learn how intimately Obadiah Evans was acquainted with the man whc would inherit Uncle Herbert's for tune if she failed to remain at Yew Lodge until June IT.
 The lower gate was closed and she unhesitantly left the lane and started to climb over the pictur- csque stone wall which marked the boundary of the first pasture. She had not cour5ed on the barbed wire stretched all along the further side of the wall which, as she scrambled down, scratched her ankles and tore her pretty summer frock.
 Unevenly balanced on the last few stones, she tried to dodge the lower strand of wire and thereby missed her footing and half slid half fell to the ground.
 Her predlcatnent was seen by Aquila Chase and he hastened to her assistance.
 T was just on my way to Yew Ledge" he announced, offering his hand to help her to her feet. "A goodby visit"
 "Oh!"
 Pain and disnay both prompted the ejaculation; she had wrenched her ankle more severely than she realized.
 "As a near neighbor sup plemented. You won't lose me en- tirely, for I will be at Stone Tower all through June. If you want me at any time, send an s. o. s. Are yoli hurt, Miss Prescott?" noticing hcw white her face was.
 Mot seriously"
 She strove to laugh it off, and instead of rising, sought con- fortable position on the ground.
 "The barbed wire has lacerated my stockings ever more than my feelings. I'll feel better in a min ute. Won't you sit down?" batting the ground by her. T missed you yesterday-where were you?"
 "On East Summit, searching foi the green fringed orchis-and found one in bloomv
 Chase's eyes sparkled with pleas ure.
 NYour uncle was right; he knew the flora of this section better thar any native of the soil-even Oba- diah Evans
 At mention of the farmer, Pegg, looked up
 "You like-Mr. Evans?"
 rWhy. yes; don't your"
 ssAt times, very much" Peggy colDred and added impulsiyely .sThat is most ungenerous and should not have said it. Mir. Evani has been kindness itself. It would be more truthful if I admitted do not always understand MT Evans, he is so-so brusque on oc- casions."
 aThe makeup of the man; ht means nothing by it-why, Mis-: Prescott, he's a Yankee-close-f fist Cd and close-mouthed, but true gold" he smiled quizically, If not refined. Obadiah is no carpe knight"
 "The last term I should apply < him." she responded, smiling, too
 "But, MT. Chase, would you trusf MT. Evans?'
 Absolutely"
 ssOh, MT. Chase, do you suppose I've sprained my ankle?" she criee as she took step that pained her Chase stopped over and felt ths tender flesh.
 "A strain, perhaps" he suggested If you will come to Echo Farm m bandage it for you. Take my arnn," as she made a hesitating ster forward.
 Clinging tightly to him, Peggy staggered rather than walked ovel the uneven ground. When they finally arrived at the back porch Chase had almost to carry her ur the steps and into the best parlor Once there he placed her in the most comfortable chair and proppcd her foot on an old-fashioned otto-