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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 1908)
The Girl fromTim's Place I I By CHARLES CLARK MUNN (Copyright 1&06, by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.) SYNOPSIS Chin Mcttulrc ti JO-year old uhl HvIiik ut Tim's nlauf in tlio Maine woods In Bold by lu.-r father to I'oto Uoliluc. a liulf-brcert. Sho runs away and readies the camp of Martin KrlMbk, occupied by Martin, his wife, nephuw, Raymond Stet son, and guides. She tells hur story and Is oared for by Mrs. l-'risble. Journey of I'"rlsblo'8. party into woods to visit father of Mrs. Krlsblo, an old hermit, who lias resided In the wilderness for many years. When camp is broken Chip and Hay oc cupy same canoe. The party reach camp of Mrs. Krlsble's father anil are wel comed bv him nnd Cy Walker, an old friend and former townsman of the her mil. They settle down tor summer's stay. Chip nnd Hay arc In love, but no ono realizes this but Cy Walker. Strange canoo marks found on lake shore In front Of their cabin. Strange- smoke Is seen across the lake. Martin and Levi leave for settlement to uct olllcers to arrest McOuIre, who Is known as outlaw and escaped murderer. Chip's one woods friend, Tomah, an Indian, visits camp. Hay believes he sees a bear on the ridge. Chip Is stolen by Pote Uolduc and es capes with hor In a canoe. Chip Is res cued by Martin and Levi as they are re turning from tlio settlement. Uolduc es capes. Old Cy proposes to Hay that he remain in the woods with himself and Amzl and trap during the winter, and he concludes to do so. Others of the party return to Greenvalo, taking Chip with them. Chip starts to school In Greenville, and finds life unpleasant at Aunt Com fort's, made so especially by Hannah. Old Cy and Hay discover strange tracks in tlio wilderness. They penetrate fur ther Into the wilderness and discover the hiding place of the man who had been aneuklng about their cabin. They inves tigate the cave homo of McGulro during his absence. Bolduc finds McGuIre and the two light to tlio death, llndlng a watery grave together. CHAPTER XVI. Continued. How welcome he was, and how all, even Amzi, of tho&e winter-bound prisoners vied with each other in mak ing him tlio guest of honor, need not bo assorted. Ho had been a part of their life here the previous summer, with all its joys and dangers, and now seemed one of them. When mutual experiences and their winter's history had been exchanged, of course Chip's rescue, the half- brood's escape, and the whereabouts of her fathor camo up for discussion that evening. "I've heard from Tim's Place two or three times this winter," said Levi, "an' neither Pete nor old McOuIre- has been seen or heard on since early last fall. Pete got thar all safe, but vowed revenge on McGulro, as Martin and I found, when wo went out. Ho stayed round a week or so, I heard later, and then started for his cabin on the Fox Hole, 'n' slnco then hain't never been seen or heard of by nobody. Tim an' Mike went over to his cabin, 'long in the winter, but no signs of him was found, or even of his bein thar slnco snow came. McGulro also seems to hev dropped out o' business and ain't been heard on slnco in the summer We've expected him all winter at the lumber camp, but ho didn't show up." "We've seen him," put in Old Cy, flashing n smile at Ray, "leastwise I callated 'twas him, though I never let ou to that effect. Ho was trappin' over beyond a big swamp last fall, 'n ho paid us a visit, stole a half-dozen o' our catches 'n' left his trade-mark on our canoe." And then Old Cy told the story of their adventure, omitting, however, any reference to the sup posed cave. "It's curls what has become o' him," Levi said, when the tale was told, "and our camp crowd all believe that thar's been foul play, with Pete at the bot tom ou't. Nobody's shed any tears, though, an' I'm thlnkln' the woods is well rid o' him. He's been a terror to everybody long onough." Much more of this backwoods gos sip and change of experience filled in the evening, and next morning Old Cy gave Ray a word of caution. "I. kept whist 'bout our flndin' what we callated was a cave," ho said, "an" I want you to. This matter o' Mc Gulro and the half-breed ain't blowed over ylt, an' wo don't want to git mixed up In It. Ez fer the cavo, if we 'lowed wo found ono, the folks at Tim's Place l pRsoiia for not wuntln' they should go. Ua mum's the word to Levi 'bout It." Levi's arrival, however, changed their plana, for he tit once offered to convoy Kuy out of the woods, thus re lieving Old Cy, and three days later theso two, with wclMaden canoes, started on the out-going journey. It was not without Incident, for when the main stream was reached, It was dotted with floating logs and the red-shifted drivers with the bateaux and spike shoes were in evidence. A monster jam was met at the first rapid, the bags of gum nuts, bundles of firs, and canoes had to be carried around It, and when Tim's Place was reached, a score of the good-natured woodsmen were In possession. Levi discreetly avoided all questions as to what Tim knew of Chip, her father, or the half-breed. Ray's Hps were also sealed, and so both escaped much questioning. Here, also, they learned what both had guessed Unit McGulro and Pete- had either left the wilderness or had perished Unit win ter. Where nnd how, If such was the case, no one seemed to know or care, and a close observer would have said that every one a Tim's Place hoped that theso (wo outlaws had met their fate. Old Tomah was also found at Tim's Place, and he was undeniably glad to see both Ray and Levi, and lo learn that Chip was likely to bo well cared for. When these two voyagers were ready to start, ho joined and kept with them until the settlement was readied. Knowing full well the value of gum and furs, ho soon found a purchaser for Ray's store and stock-at Us full value; and when that youth, now elated as never before, was ready to start for Green vale, the line old Indian showed almost a white man's emotion. "Take this to little girl," he said, handing Ray a package, "and tell her J Sobbed in Utter Despair. Old Tomah not forgot. He hopo she come back to see him soon." "Tell Mr. Frlsbie I shall be here, waitln' to meet him, when he sends word," Levi said; and shaking hands witli both of his good friends, Ray now bade them good-by with many thanks for all they had done. Of his homeward trip and ail the charming anticipations now his, no mention need bo made. They are but tlio flowers wisely strewn in the path way 01 youtn, unu Hay now moro a man than when he entered the woods full well deserved all that lay before him. Hut Old Tomah's heart was sad, and far away beside a rippled lake was another who felt the same. CHAPTER XVII. Chip s success and popularity in Green vale was practically nullified by Hannah, who Irom wounded vanity and petty jealousy became her enemy from tho outset. Aunt Conuort did not know it. An glo was not conscious of tho facts, or, busy with hor own social duties and homo-making, gave thorn no thought And yot, inspired by Hannah's mall clous tongue, Greenvale looked upon poor Chip as one It was best to avoid. With Angle as sponsor, she had been made ono of tho Christmas church decorators, and had been twlco invited to parties, only to exasperate Hannah all tho more and cause an Increase of sneers. "Sho's nobody an' an upstart," Han null said at tho first meeting of the village sewing circle after Chip's ad vent, "an' I've my doubts ubout hor father an' mother over bein' married. Then sho's an inflddlo an believes In Injun sperrlts an' hobgoglln things she calls spites, an' Is a rog'lar heathen. I don't trust her a ml.nlt, an' never leave tho houso 'thout I lock up my things." There was alBO some color for this ill repute, for Anglo had concealed nothing, and Chip, foolishly perhaps, had asserted her bollef when It would have been hotter to conceal It. Tho parson also, chagrined at his failure to niako a' convert of tho girl, referred to her as "rebellious, obstl a nntc In her Ideas, and ono who needed chastening." Her teacher, however, was her stanch friend. Aunt Comfort beamed upon her morning and night, while Angle, having provided her with home, rai ment, opportunity for schooling, escort to church, and much good advice, felt that she had fulfilled her duty. And In a way, she had. Uut social recognition in a country village can bo mado or marred by such a person as Hannah, and quite un known to those most interested. Chip's popularity was not decreed. Neither was she conscious of this undercur rent. Knelt day she went to and re turned from school In a sturdy sort of way, A most, devoted pupil, she nover failed to thank her teacher for every word of help, and If thanks to Han nah she failed to make friends about the village, she won a place near to unt Comfort's heart. Uut somehow Aunt Comfort, who loved everybody alike, good or bad, or at least spoke no ill of the bad ones, didn't count. That she must Inevit ably take Chip under her motherly wing, all recognized. She had taken Hannah, then Angle and Nezer, and now this walf who, as Hannah Insist ed, was all bad; and according to Greenvale's belief, Aunt Comfort would keep on "taking In' homeless waifs and outcast mortals as long as she lived, or house room held out. And It was true. By midwinter Martin's new house was all lurnlslieii, and social obliga tions began to Interest Angle, which mado matters all tlio worse for Chip, for now Hannah could persecute her with less danger of exposure. Hut Chip was hard to persecute. She had known adversity In Its worst form. Her life at Tim's Place had been practical slavery, and tho worst that Hannah could do was as pin pricks compared to It. It Is certain, also, if Chip had "spunked up," as Hannah would call It, now and then, It would have been better Tor her; but It wasn't Chip's way. To work and suffer in silence had been her lot at Tim's Place. Anglo had said, "You musj obey everybody and make friends," and Impelled by experience, and this somewhat broad order, Chip was doing her best. Ono hope cheered her all that long, hard winter of monotonous study tho return of Ray, nnd possibly Old Cy, when summer came. Somehow theso two had dm it themselves into hor life as no ono else had or could. Then she wondered how Ray would seem to and feel toward her when he came, and If the little bond a wondrous strong one, as tar as her leellngs went would still call him to hor side. It had all been a beacon of hopo to her In tho uplUll road toward tho torn plo of learning; and how hard she had studied, and how patiently sho had tried to correct hor own speech, not oven hor teacher guessed. It is also possible, in fact almost cer tain, thnt that unfortunii what pitiful tale had v er's interest and affect else could. Only one r tunatc waif's some won hor teach ffectlon as naught Only one reservation was made by Chip hor own feelings to wurd Ray. All else became an open book to Miss Phinncy. When school was out, tho two walk ed homeward together as far as their ways permitted, and then Chip ob tained the one hour of the day which she felt was qulto her own. At first, during the autumn days, she had used it for a scamper through the nut- brown woods. When winter camo and it was not too cold, she occasionally visited the mill pond above the village, where, If tho conditions wore right, all tho skating and sliding youth wore gathored; and when blessed spring re turned, it was away to the hills ant fields once more. On Saturdays she seldom left the house, unless sent on an errand, and Sunday became a day of penance. And now, when tho flowers and birds had ence more returned to Green vale, and Ray might return any day, a little plan that Chip had had in mint for many weeks took shape. Sho knew Ray must come on tho stage and eager for a sight of his face as only love can make ono, sho meant to be the first to meet and greet him. A mile down tho village street and beyond tho last houso was a sharp hilltop. Tho stage usually reachei hero about an hour after tho closo of school, and to this vantago point whero she could hide behind a stono wall, Chip now betook herself each day Her plans tor meeting nor young hero were well considered. She was sure ho would, like herself, prefer a seat with Unelo .loo. That important person, whoso heart she had won by her admiration of his horses on hor at rival, would surely Invite hor to rid Into the village, If lie saw her. If he was alone, sho would remain hid; but If some ono was with him, sho would then dlscloso herself and the coveted Invitation and mooting with Ray would follow. It was mid-April when Chip began her daily watch, and missed no day unless a pelting rain prevented. was Juno ere she won hor reward, and then ono balmy afternoon when sho saw the stage afar, there, perched be side Undo Joe. was a companion How sure that weary, waiting walf was that hor heart was not mistaken How her pulses leaped and thrilled as the slow-moving stage crept up tho hill; and how Ray, eager to cateh the first glimpse of his native village, saw a winsome, smiling face shaded by a llower-decked hat, peeping at him over a wall, was but a minor episode In tho lives of these two; yet one to be re called many, many times afterward and always with a heartache. Nono came to them now, for on tho Instant Ray saw who was waiting Tor him he halted the stage, and the next moment he was beside his sweetheart. And Uncle Joe, with the wisdom and sympathy of old age, discreetly avert ed his face, and said "Golung" to his horses, and drove on alone. CHAPTER XVIII. During all tho long weeks wlillo Chip had awaited her lover's coming, one hopo hail been hors that his re turn would end all her loneliness and login a season of the happy, care-free lays like those by tho lake once more. For the first few moments after uo (Isscd her upraised lips, she could not speak for very Joy; and then, as hand n hand they started toward the vil lage, her speech came. I've been so lonesome," she said simply, "I've counted the days, and come down hero to meet you dally, for over a month. 1 don't like It here, and nobody likes me, I guess. I'm so glad ou've come, though. Now 1 shan't ho ouesome uo more, rve studied hard, 00," she added, with an accent of pride. "I can read and spell words of six syllables. I've ciphered up to deci mal fractions, an' begun grammar. "I'm glad to got home, too," an swered Ray, as simply. "It was lone some In the woods all winter, when we couldn't tend tho traps. Uut 1'vo made a lot of money 'most live hun dred dollars all mine, too. How Is weryhody?" And so they dropped from sentiment Into commonplace. At the tavern he secured his belong ings. At tho corner where their ways parted, he bade Chip a light, good-by, ami with tin "I'll see you soon," left her. Her hero had arrived. They bad mot, kissed as lovers should, and the onoly waiting and watching days were at tin end and a new life was to begin lor Chip. Little did she reallzo what. It would mean for her, or how utterly her hopes were to fall. "Ho will conm to-night," her heart assured hor. and that evening, with out a word to Aunt Comfort or Han nab as to whom she expected, she ar rayed herself In her one best dress and awaited his expected .vIbU. And what a propitious and all-favor ing evening it was! - The- June night was balmy. Hloomlug lilacs and syrin- gas nan niti, as wen as auorneu, tno porch of Aunt Comfort's home. Aunt Comfort had Just departed to make a call, Hannah was away at prayer meeting, and "no ono nigh to hinder. Hut Chip waited In vain! At school next day her mind and heart were at war. The parts of speecli and rules of subtraction and division seemed complete chaos, and when homeward bound, she loitered slowly along, hoping Ray would mako amends and meet hor on the way. Hut again he failed to appear. And that night, when alone with Hannah, a worse blow came. "I hoard young Stetson got back yesterday," sho said, fixing her steely blue eyes on Chip, "an' you went down tho road to meet him. I should think you'd be 'shamed o' yourself. If you're callatin' on settln' your cap for him, 'twon't do a mite o' good. His aunt wouldn't think o' bavin' such an out cast ez you for him that I can toll ye. Hut not a word of reply came front poor Chip. Such speeches were not now to her, and sho had long beforo ceased to answer them. Hut this one, from its very truth, hurt moro than all others had, and, crushod by it, sho stole away out of the house. No thought that Ray might call came to her. Sho only wished to escape somewhere, that she might cry away hor misery and shamo in solitude. The evening was but a repetition of the previous one. The same sweet In lluence and silvered light wbb all about, but no heed of Its beauty camo to Chip. Instead, she felt herself a shameful thing of no account. Her lover had failed her now sho know why, and as sho sped along the lonely way to the scboolhouse, senrco con scions of her steps, all hopo and all joy left her. Why or for what purposo sho was hurrying toward this deserted little building, she knew not. Hot tears filled hor eyes. Shame surged in her heart. She was a nobody in tho eyes of all her world, and onco sho had reached the worn sill, so often crossed by hor, she threw herself upon It and sobbed in utter despair. (TO HIS CONTINUED.) Loaded. Tlio old man looked reflectively at the brass tip of his wooden leg. 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