n
The Girl
Place
By CHARLES CLARK MUNN
(Copyright igo6, by Lothron, Lee & Sliepard Co.)
SYNOPSIS.
Chip McGulre. a 16-year-old slrl living
tl Tim's place In the Maine woods Is
sold by her father to Pete Boldue. a
half-breed. She runs away and reaches
the camp of Martin Friable, occupied by
Martin, Ills wife, nephew, Raymond Stet
son, and Kuldon. She tells her story and
Is cared for by Mrs. Friable. Journey of
Frlsble'a party Into woods to visit father
of Mrs. Friable, an old hermit, who has
resided In the wilderness for many years.
When camp Is broken Chip and liny oe
rupy same canoe.
CHAPTER III. Continued.
A more serious subject wus under
discussion in the other canoe, mean
time, as to the future disposition of
Chip herself.
"I feel it my duty to take care of
her," Angle said, after relating her
conversation with Chip and that morn
ing's incident. "She is a homeless,
outcast waif, needing education and
everything else to Christianize her.
We must bring her to the settlement,
but to turn her adrift might mean leav
ing her to a life of vice, even if she
escapes her brutal father and this
worse half-breed. Then, again, I am
not sure that her parentage will bear
inspection. She has told me some
thing about her earlier life, and about
Iter mother, who evidently loved her.
One course only seems plain to me,
to take care of and educate this un
fortunate." "We must take the girl back with
us and begin her reformation at the
camp. If she shows any aptltudo and
willingness to obey, we will take her
to Greenvale. If not, you must ar
range to get her into some Institution."
"And suppose the half-breed finds
where she is, what then?" inquired
Martin.
"What do you say, Levi?" ho added,
turning to his guide, "you know this
fellow; what will he bo apt to do?"
"I s'poso you know what a panther'li
do, robbed of her cub," Levi answered,
"an how -a bull moose acts in runnin'
time, mebbe. Wal, this Pete is worse'n
both on 'em blled into one, I callate.
If you're goln' ter take the gal back,
you've got to keep her shady, or some
day you'll find her missln'. Besides,
Pete, ess I told ye, don't know the
meanin' o' law and is handy with a
gun."
But Martin did not quite share Levi's
fears, and so Angle's decision was
agreed to. Levi's advice to "keep
shady" was accepted, however, and all
through that summer's? somewhat
thrilling experiences it was the rule of
conduct.
When supper was .over cariw the
lounging beside the choerful Ar?, ffaul
as the shadows thickened, forthi c'Mtrti
Kay's banjo once more, and with it the
light of admiration in Chjp's eyes.
All that day he had been her charm
ing companion; his open, mauly face,
his bright brown eyes, had been ever
before her. His well-bred ways, so un
like all the men at Tim's Place, had
impressed her as those of a youth of
IS will a maid of 16; and now, with
his voice appealing to the best In her,
he seemed liko Pan of old, once more
wooing a nymph with his pipes.
No knowledge of this was hers, no
conciousness of why she was happy
came to her. She know what spites
wero; but the god Pan and Apollo
with his harp were unknown forms.
Neither did she reallzo that born in
her soul that day, on the broad shin
ing river, was a magic impulso woven
out of her heart throbs, and destined
to mete out to her more sorrow than
all else In her life combined.
She had entered tho wondrous vale
of love whoso paths are flower-strewn,
whose shores are rippled with laugh
ter, and whoso borders, alas! are ever
hid in the midst of tears.
CHAPTER IV.
A week was spont by Martin and his
party at tho settlement, during which
he acquired tho title to township 44,
range 10, which included tho little
lake near tho hermit's hut, and made
a four-squaro-mllo tract about It.
Chip, thanks to Anglo, secured a
simple outfit of apparel and surpris
ing fact evinced excellent taste in its
selectlcr .HifiUv proving that eight
( years of isolation and a gunnj'-sack
and red-shirt garb had not obliterated
tho deepest Instinct of woman.
To Levi, Mnrtin's woodwiso helper,
was left (ho selection of fittings for
the new camp. A couple of husky
Canucks wero engaged to bring them
in In a bateau, and then tho party
started on Its return.
Only one Incident of importance oc
curred during the wait at this village
known as Grindstone. Angle and Chip
had Just left the only store there, in
front of which a group of log-drivers
had congregated, when Angle, glanc
ing back, saw that one of the group
was following them. She quickened
her pace, and so did he, until just as
they turned into u side stroot, ho
passed them, halted, and turned about.
"Wal, I'm damned if tain't Chip, an
dressed like a leddy," he exclaimed,
as they drew near.
"Hullo, Chip," he added, as they
passed, "when did you strike luck?"
Chip made no response and he mut
tered again, "Wal, I'm damned, jest
like a leddy!"
It was annoying, especially to Angle,
and neither of the two realized how
soon this blunt log-driver's discovery
would reach Tim's Place.
And now, leaving the bateau to fol
low, tho party started onco more on
their Journey Into the wlldorness. No
sight or sign of pursuit from the half-
breed had been thus far obsorved. A
few idle lumbermen in the village
the only visible connection between
the vast forest and a busy world
were little thought of, as their canoes
crept alowly up the narrowing river
and gave no hint of interference from
this low brute to anyone except Levi.
He, however, seldom speaking, but
ever acting, kept watch and ward con
tinually. At every bend of the stream
his eyes wero alert to catch the ilrst
sight or a down-coming canoe In time
to conceal Chip, as he decided must
be done. When night camps were
made, a slto at the head of the lagoon
or up some tributary stream was se
lected, and while not even hinting his
reason for this, he felt It wise. As
"They Are Thot," He Returned.
they drew near to Tim's Place, it be
gan to occur to Martin that Chip's
presence had best bo concealed until
that point was passed. He also dc
sired to learn the situation there. Ho
had always halted at this clearing in
all his up-river journeys, so far, usual
ly to buy pork and potatoes, and ho
uow Intended to do so again. He also
felt it imperative to conceal Chip In
Ray's canoe, before they reached Tim's
Place, and let Ray paddle slowly on
while the halt was made. But Levi
dissented.
"Tain't best," lie said, "to let Tim
know there's two canoes of us and one
not stoppin'. It'll make him s'piclous
o' suthiu', 'n' what he 'spects, Pete'll
find out. I callate we'd best pass thai'
In the night, leave the wlmmen above,
V you 'n I go back V git what we
want."
"But what about the Canucks follow
ing us with tho bateau?" returned
Martin. "They'll toll who is with us,
won't they?"
"They didn't see us start," answered
Levi, " 'n' can't swear wimmen came
Wo'll say we're alone, 'n beln' so'll
make It plausible, 'n' you might say
we're goln' to build a camp 'n' 'nother
season fetch our wlmmen In."
"But how about our men, on the re
turn trip, after finding we have wom
en at the camp?" rejoined Martin.
"Wo've got to keep the wimmen
shady, an' fool 'em," answored Levi.
And so his plan was adopted.
"They will be sure to tell all they know
on tho way back."
It was In tho early hours of morning
when tho two canoes crept noiselessly
past Tim s Place. Tho stars barely
outlined tho river's course, the frame
dwelling, log cabin, and stump-dotted
slope back of them. All the untidiness
exlatent about this dwelling was hid
in darkness, and only the faint sounds
and odors betrayed these conditions.
But every eye and ear in the two
canoes was alert, paddles wero dippod
without sound, and Chip's heart was
beating so loudly that it seemed to
her Tim and all his family must he
awakened. Her recent escape from
tills spot and all the reasons forcing
it, the fear that both her father and
the half-breed might even now be
there, added dread; and not until a
bend hid even I he shadowy view of
this plague spot did w breathe
easier.
"1 was nigh sheered to death," she
whispered to Ray when safety seemed
assured, "an' If ever Pete llnds I'm up
whar the folks Is goln', I'm a goner."
"Oh, we'll take care of you," re
turned that boy, with the boundlesB
conlldence of youth; "my uncle can
shoot us well as anyone, and then Old
Cy is up at the camp, and he's a won
der with a rllle. Why, I've seen him
hit .a crow a half-mile off!"
Smoke was ascending from the
chimney, nnd the vising sun was just
visible when Martin and Lovl returned
to Tim's. Mike was out In an enclosure,
milking; Tim was back of tho house,
preparing the pigs' breakfast. The
pigs were squealing, and a group of
unwashed children wore watching op-
orations, when Martin appeared. A
pleasant "Good morning" from him
and a gruff one from Tim was the in
troduction, and then that stolid pio
neer starred for the sty. Not even tho
unusuul event of n caller could hinder
him from the ono duty lie most en
Joyed, the care of his beloved swine.
"You have some nice thrifty pigs,"
began Martin, when tho pen was
euched, desiring to placate Tim.
"They are thot," he returned.
"My guide and 1 are on our way Into
the wood 8, to build a camp," continued
Martin, anxious to have his errand
over with, "and we halted to buy a
few potatoes of you and some pork-. 1
have a couple of men following with a
bateau," ho continued, after pausing
for a reply which did not come; "they
will be along in a day or two with
most of our supplies; but 1 felt sure
I could get some extra good pork of
you and somo choice potatoes."
'You kin that same," replied Tim,
his demeanor obviously softening un
der this flattery, and so business re
lations were established.
Martin had Intended asking some
cautious question regarding Chip or
her father: but Tim's surly face,, his
unresponsive manner, and a mistrust
of Us wisdom prevented. He was
blunt of speech, almost to the verge of
Insolence, and the arrival of Martin
with all his polite words evoked not a
vestige of welcome; and yet back of
those keen gray eyes of his a deal of
cunning might lurk, thought Martin.
Two slovenly women peered out of
back door and window while tho Inter
view was In progress. Mike came and
looked on In silence; two of the oldest
children were down by the canoe
where Levi waited; the rest, open-
eyed and astonished, seemed likely to
be trodden on by some one encli mo
ment. When the stores wero secured
and paid for, and Martin had pushed
off with Lovl, he realized something of
the life Chip must have led there.
Ho had intended not only to obtain
potatoes, but somo information of
value. He obtained the goods, paying
a thrifty price, also a good bit of cold
shoulder, and that was all.
But Levi, shrewd woodsman that he
was, fared bettor.
"I larned Chip's gone off with old
McGulre," he asserted with a quiet
smile when they were well away, "an'
that Pete's swearln' murder agin htm."
"And how?" responded Martin, In
astonishment. "I felt that silence was
golden with that surly chap, and didn't
ask a question."
"I'm glad," rejoined Levi. "I want
ed to toll you not to, and I've larned
all wo want. Children are easy to
pump, an' I did It 'thout wakln' a hint
o" 'splclon. Tim's folks all believe
Chip's gone with her dad. Pete thinks
so, an' is watchln' for him with a gun,
I 'spect, an if so, the sooner they meet,
the better."
It was gratifying news to Martin,
and when the other canoo was
reached, the two again pushed on,
with Martin, at least, feeling that tho
ways of Fate might prove acceptable.
Three days more were consumed in
reaching tho lako now owned by him,
for the river was low, carries had to
be made around two rapids, and when
at last the sequestered, forest-bordered
sheet of water was being crossed, Mar
tin wished some titanic hand might
raise an impassable barrier about his
possessions.
Old Cy's joy at their return was al
most hilarious. To a man long past
tho spasmodic exuberance of youth,
loving nature and the wild as few do,
the six months here with tho misan
thropic old hermit, then a month of
more cheerful companionship, followed
by the departure of Martin and Anglo,
mado tho forest home-coming doubly
welcome.
But Chip's appearance, and tho
somewhat thrilling episode of hor
escapo from Tim's Place and her res
cue, astonished him. Like all old men
who are childless, a young girl and
her troubles touched a resp.onslvb
chord in his heart, and on the instant
Chip's unfortunato condition found
sympathy. Hor bluntly told story, with
all its details, held him spellbound. Ho
laughed over her description of spites,
and when she scorned hurt ut this
seeming lovlty, he assured hor that
spites were a reality In the woods
he had Keen hundreds of them, it was
not long ere ho had won her confi
dence and good-will, as ho had INy's,
and then ho took Martin aside.
"That gal's dinner's bin here 'bout
n wook ago," he said, "an' tho worst
lookln' cuss I ever seen. 1 know from
his description 'twas him. He kept
qulzzin' me e. to how long we'd been
here, if 1 know MeOnirc, or had soon
him lately, until I got sorter riled 'n'
hoijnn to string him. I told him final'
ly that I'd been foolln' all 'long; that
McGulre was a friend o' mine; that
he'd been here a day or two afore, bor
rowed some money 'n lit out fer Can
ada, knowtn there was a bad man
arter him. Then this one-oyed gazoo
got mad, real mod, n said things, an'
thoh ho cleared out."
Whon Martin explained tho situa
tion, as ho now did, Old Cy chuckled.
" 'Tain't often ono shoots In the dark
'n' makes a buU's-oyo," he said.
"I think you and I had better keep
mum about this half-breed's call,"
Martin added quietly, "and if Angle
mentions it, you needn't say that you
know who he was. It will only mnke
my wlfo nnd the girl nervous."
The two tents wore now pitched at
t hothead of a cove, somo rod away
froih tho hermit's hut, und well out of
sight from the landing, and to these
both Angle and Chip wero assured
they must fleo as soon as tho expected
bateau entered the lake, and remain
secluded Mntll it had departed.
in a way, it was a ticklish situation.
All knowledge that this waif Was with
Martin's party must be kept from
Tlm'8 Plucc and this half-breed, or sho
wouldn't bo safe nn hour; and until
tho Canucks had come and gone, sho
must be kept hidden. Another and
quite a serious annoyanco to Martin
was the, fact that ho had counted on
these two men as holpcrs In cutting
and hauling logs for this now camp.
Only mnn-power was available, and
to move logs a foot in diameter and
20 feet long, in midsummer, was no
easy task; but Levi, more experienced
In camp-bulldlng, made light, of It.
"Wo'll cut tho logs we need, clus to
the lake," he said, "float 'em 'round,
'n' roll 'em up on skidd. It's easy
'nough, 'i'x we don't need them Ca
nuckers round a intuit."
It was four days of keen ouspenso to
Chip before they appeared. Neither
.sho nor Angle left the closed tent
while they remained over night, or
until they had been gone many hours,
and then every one felt easier.
Tho ringing sound of axes now be
gan to echo over the rippled lake, loga
wore lowed across with canoes, a cel
lar under the new cabin site was ex
cavated, and home-bulldlng In the wild
erness went merrily on.
While thj men worked, Anglo and
Chip were not Idle. Not only did they
have meals to prepare over a rude out
door llrepluce, but they gathered grass
and moss for beds, wovo a hammock
and rustic chair seats out of sedge
grass, and countless other useful aids.
Chip was especially helpful and more
grateful than a dog for any and all
consideration. Not a step that she
could take or a bit of work that sho
could do was left to Anglo; her Inter
est and do-all-sho-could desire nover
(lagged, and from early morn until tho
supper dishes were washed and wiped,
Chip was busy.
But Martin, and especially Levi, had
other causes for worry than those
which camp-building entailed. The
Tact that this "Pernicious Pete," as
Angle had once called him, would soon
learn of their presence hero, and hat
ing all law-abiding people, as such
forest brigands always do, would nat
urally seek to Injure them, was one
cause. Then, there were so many
ways by which he could do harm. A
fire started at ono corner of the hut
at midnight, the same Indian-like
malice applied to their two tents, tho
stealing of their canoes or the gashing
of them with a hunting-knife, and
countless other methods of venting
spite, presented themselves. In away,
they were helpless ngaliiHt such a
night-prowling enemy. Over one hun
dred miles separated them from civili
zation and all assistance; an impass
able wilderness lay between. Tho
stream and their canoes were the only
meuns of egress. Those valuable craft
were left out of sight and sound each
night, on. the lako shore, and so their
vulnerability on all sides was mani
fest. (TO UK CO.N'TINl'KD.)
Old Dog Signed His Will.
New Augusta, Miss. The first case
on record In this state of a dog mak
ing its own will, and of It being
offered for probate, Is reported here.
Flfteon yours ago "Doc" McAllister,
tho largest planter In this section,
died, leaving a pet hound. In his will
ho set asldo ?2f0 for tho care of tho
dog until death. Ford McAllister, tho
eldest son of the deceased, was given
control.
"Tobe," the hound, died recently,
leaving numerous progeny, of which
young McAHIstor Is very fond. De
siring to preserve tho bequest for tho
benefit or tho pups, when tho old
hound was attacked by sickness, tho
boy drow up a will in proper form,
witnessed by two citizens, and placing
a pen between the claws of tho aged
dog, the animal made Its cross mark.
Death drip of Oetopui.
Measuring ten foot six Inches, an
octopus, whilo being killed tit Toora
din, Victoria, entwined n tentacle so
(Irmly around tho foot of ono of ita
captors that tho motnbranu had to bo
'jut to free tho man.
Hopeful.
"I begin to realize," sn'.d young Mr.
Knllow, "that I am no longor a mora
youth, now that I'vo got a littlo hair
on my Hp." "Yes," aald Mloa Port,
"nnd I Bupposo in a month or n
you'll hnvo another one." Phlladel
ndelphla Press.
Nitrogen in Animal Charcoal.
Why animal charcoal removed the
color from colored liquids, while wood
charcoal hns no effect, has not boen
understood. A European chemist now
finds that tho action of the former Is
duo to the presence of flvo to ven
per cent of nltrogeu.
New Government Monopoly.
Germany's government has decided
to monopollie the manufacture of
brandy throughout the empire. It
will guarantee the manufacturers
market prices for their spirit, but the
price of brandy to consumers will bo
raised. The net profit to the govern
ment will, it is ostlmated, bo about
117,500,000 in the first year.
Pension for Mothers.
Tho pensioning of mothors by the
state is advocatod by a University of
Chicago locturor. Tho professor thinks)
tha pciiBlon should increase In amount
up to tho third child, and thon de
crease until tho advent of the sixth,
when It should cease. This scorns to
bo a sort of compromlsn between nntl
raco sulcldo and Boclalhm.
Secret of Happiness.
Keep truo to our best fnlth and dot
the day with deedB which lovo and
kindness prompt. Bo Just in your
dealings, and keop from stuln of sin
in thought and word, und you shall
wear tho crown of nn approving con
science nnd know tho secret of the
happy llfo. I. Meneh Chambors.
Everyday Woman.
About the everyday woman thoro
can bo no mistake; she Btnnds out
sldo of nil isms and ologics; sho
thinks of tho day us it is, of peoplo
as they look, of hor surroundings as
they ora; tho groat aim of hor llfo
la to llvo through overy day with all
tho quiet, comfort, and tho dignity
that sho can.
Too Sharp a Dividing Line.
Elder (discussing tho now minister's
probation discourse) In my opeonlon
ho wasna justified In dividing folk
into tho sheep and the goats. I
wadna just say, Jamie, that I wna
among tho unco guld, und I wndna
say that you wero among tho unco
bad. So whar do we como in? He'll
no do for us, Jamie. Wo'll no vote
for him. Punch.
Good Work of Electric Clock.
Tho world's best tlmekeopor is said
to be the electric clock in tho base
ment of the Berlin observatory,
which was Installed by Prof. Forster
in 1805. It Is Inclosed In an alr-tlght
glass cylindor and has frequently run
for periods of two or three months
with an average daily deviation of
only flfteen-thousundthu of a second.
Extremes In Brazil.
Brazil has no mlddlo class. There
aro but two classes there the rich
nd tho pool
Lincoln Directory
iTmEs
Highest cash price paid for Hides and Calf
Skins. No commission or drayago. I carry a
full linn of HARNESS, SADDLHS, PUR COATS
and ROHHS. and allow ono cent above market
prico on all hides sent In oxebango for above
morcliandlso.
HP WITT II ANN "o-1" mm tow sr.,
i Ui III I I til Allll LINCOLN, NKHlt.
ELMER'S FEED MILL CO,, ftffi
Manufacturers of Powor and Sweep Pood Mills.
Capacity unequalled, lightest draft. Savon
from to 50 per cent ou cost of food. Grinds
ear corn, shelled corn, oatH, wheat, etc. Write
for price.
PUIPlCn niYIC A coming great mine in No-InlbAOU-UIAir.
vada, 442 acres mineral land,
0 known lodges of oro, gold, silver and copper,
work progrosHlng day and night, shares 7 cento,
lc por mo., no wh and market letter FREE, Cklciit
Promotion ind Brokirm Co,, (knnck otllei) 201-2 Richard
lulldlng, Lincoln, Hibtitki.
NO PAY UNTIL CURED!
MEffM Buffering from youthful errors or
Iwil-I vices of later yoarB, I Have a positive
and certain method of cure. No' cure, no foo.
Write for plan. Proofs and rofnroncos.
II It. HKAIII.KH, Ilox !, Lincoln, Neb.
THE LINCOLN TANNERY
Established 181)5.
FUR COATS
Lap Robes, Rugs and all kinds of Hides. Furs
received for taunlug. Highest prices paid for
bides. 313 und 3IB O Ht.t Lincoln, Neb.
Hbipping tags and circulars mailed froo.
SAVOY HOTEL
KUUOl'EAN. Rooms
with and without bath.
Kates 75o to S3. Pouu.
lar-prlced Cafe in connection.
11th and P Sis., Lincoln, l. l. lincsey, rrotriitir
EDUCATIONAL
THE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Affiliated with tho University of Nebraska at
Lincoln. (Iron tent College of Music in tho
West. Bend for boautlful catalog to
WILLARD KIMBALL, Director, Lincoln, Neb.