Under Sealed Orders | Page 7

like her when you see her.
She's a beauty, with such lovely eyes and dark hair. And she's not a bit
stuck up, either. She just talks in a friendly way, and makes you feel
easy all over. There, now, I guess you'd better pile some more wood. I
have a bit of work to do, and when I'm through I'll come out and give
you a hand. I like to be with you. I know we're going to be friends."
The girl rose, and was about to leave. She paused, however, and looked
inquiringly into the old man's face.
"Do you smoke?" she asked.
Into David's eyes came an eager expression, which Betty was not slow
to see.
"I know you do," she cried, "but you have no tobacco."
"I have a pipe," and David fumbled into a pocket of his coat. "But I
haven't had a smoke for weeks, because----"
"I know, I know," the girl hastily replied. "I'll get you some in a jiffy."
She was gone only a short time when she returned, and handed David
half a fig of tobacco.
"There, take that," she said. "It's a piece Jim left on the kitchen
window-sill."
"But is it right for me to take it?" David asked.
"Sure it's right. Didn't Jim agree to feed and lodge you for one year?
You can't live without tobacco. It's a part of your food, see? If Jim says
anything about it, I'll soon settle him."
"You are a good girl," David returned, as with trembling hands he
hastily whittled off a few slices of tobacco with an old knife, and filled
his pipe. "This will put new life into me. I can never repay you for your
kindness."

CHAPTER III
ONE, AT LEAST, RINGS TRUE
With the small boat pulled well upon the beach, Lois Sinclair stood for
a few moments looking out over the water. Her eyes were fixed upon a
little boat in the distance containing two people, an old man and a
young girl. The wind, which was steadily increasing, tossed her wavy,
luxuriant hair over her brow, while several tresses fell across her
cheeks, flushed by the recent rowing. She knew that she should be
home, for supper would be waiting and her father would be impatient.
But she hesitated. Her thoughts were out there on the water where she
loved to be. The twang of the wind as it swept through the trees along
the shore, and the beat of the surf upon the gravelly beach were music
sweet to her ears.
At length, with one more lingering glance out upon the river, she turned
and walked along a path leading from the shore. She moved slowly, for
she was not at all anxious to reach the house situated about two
hundred yards beyond. And yet it was an attractive house, well-built,
and cosy in appearance, designed both for summer and winter use. A
spacious verandah swept the front and ends, over which clambered a
luxuriant growth of wild grape vines. Large trees of ash, elm, and
maple spread their expansive branches over the well-kept lawn,
providing an excellent shade when the sun was hot. Altogether, it was a
most delightful spot to spend the summer months away from the smoke
and confusion of the city.
The place, however, did not altogether appeal to Lois Sinclair. If she
had needed rest, the situation would have been ideal. But it was activity
she desired, and not luxurious ease such as so many crave, especially
two young men lolling on the verandah awaiting her coming. Even
though one was her brother, she could not restrain a feeling of contempt
as she looked upon their white faces, soft hands, and immaculate
clothes. Why should men, she asked herself, be so ready and willing to
give themselves completely up to effeminate habits when their blood
was hot within them, and the great Open was calling them with such a

strong insistent voice?
The young woman's arrival brought one of the young men to his feet,
with the offer of a hammock.
"Please do not trouble yourself," she told him. "I must hurry and get
ready for dinner. I know that father is very angry with me."
"He is not the only one who is angry, I can assure you," Sammie Dingle
remarked. "We have been furious with you for leaving us this afternoon
when we needed your company so much in the car. I cannot understand
how you can enjoy yourself alone out on the river in that nasty boat."
"No, I suppose you cannot," Lois replied, and so infatuated was
Sammie with the young woman that he did not notice the slightest
sarcasm in her words.
"Hurry up, Lois," her brother ordered, "I'm almost starved. Dad's got it
in