Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-16

II n = SdllSllGu LIE
did not attempt to analyze it;
he did not even make an effort
to contemplate it. Curiosity, specula-
ton, longing-all the more active emo
tons remained in allegiance, while out
wardly for three days Harry Thorpe
occupied himself only with the needs
of the Fighting Forty ct Camp One.
He was vaguely conscious of a great
peace within him, a great stiffness of
the spirit.
Little by little the condition changed.
The man felt vague STRINGS Of curios-
ity. He speculated aimlessly as to
whether or not the glade, the moon
light, the girl, had been real or merely
the Pigments of Imagination. Almost
Immediately the answer leaped at him
from his heart Since she was so GER
tainly flesh and blood, whence did she
come? What was she doing there in
the wilderness? His mind pushed the
query aside as unimportant, rushing
eagerly to the essential point. When
could he see her again? His placidity
had gone. That morning he made some
vague excuse to Shearer and set out
blindly down the river. And so, with
out thought, without clear intentions
oven, he saw her again. 1t was near
the "pole trail" which was less like
trail than rail fence.
When the SHOWS are deep and snow
shoes not the property Of every man
who cares to journey, the old fashioned
''pole trail'' comes into use. 1t is mere
Iy a series of horses built of timber,
across which thick Norway logs are
laid about four feet from the ground
to form continuous pathway. In
summer it resembles nothing so much
as thick one rail fence Of considera-
BILE height, around which a fringe of
light brush has grown.
Thorpe reached the fringe of bushes
and was about to dodge under the
fence when he saw her. So he stopped
short, concealed by the leaves and the
timber horse.
She stood on knoll in the middle Of
a grove of monster pines. There was
something of the cathedral in the spot.
The girl stood tall and straight among
the tall, straight pines like figure on
an ancient tapestry. She was doing
nothingAjust standing there-but the
awe of the forest was in her wide,
clear eyes.
In moment she stirred slightly and
turned. Drawing herself to her full
height, she extended her hands over
her head, palm outward, and with an
indescribably graceful gesture bowed a
ceremonious adieu to the solemn trees.
Then, with little laugh, size moved
away in the direction Of the river.
At once Thorpe proved great need
of seeing her again. In his present
mood there was nothing Of the awe
stricken peace he had experienced aft
er the moonlight adventure. He want
ed the sight of her as he had never
wanted anything before. The strong
man desired it. And finding it impos-
sible he ragged inwardly and tore the
tranquillities of his heart.
So it happened that he ate hardly at
all that day and slept i'll and discov-
cred the greatest difficulty in preserv,
ing the outward semblance of ease
which the presence Of Tim Shearel
and the Fighting Forty demanded
And next day he saw her again, ant
the next, because the need Of his hear
demanded it and because, simpl!
enough, she came every afternoon tt
the clump of pines by the old poll
trail. But now curiosity awoke and
desire for something more. He mus
speak to her, touch her hand, look In
to her eyes. He resolved to approac
her and the mere thought choked hir
and sent him weak.
When he saw her again from til
shelter of the pole trail he dared no
and SO stood there prey to move
sensation, that Of being baffied in a
intention. AS he hesitated he saw tha
she was walking slowly in his dire
ton. Perhaps q hundred PAGES sci
arated the two. She took them d'
liberately. Her progression was 81
ries Of poses, the one which melte
iinperceptibly into the other withol
appreciable pause of transition.
In moment she had reached tt
fringe of brush about the pole tra1
They stood face to face.
She gave little start of surpris
and her hand leaped to her breas
where it caught and stayed. Her chill
like housekeeping mouth parted
little more, and the breath quickene
through it. But her eyes, her wild
trusting, innocent eyes, sought his al
rested.
He did not move. One on either s!'
of the spike-marked old Norway log
the trail they stood, and for an apr
ciable interval the duel of their glanc
lasted-he masterful, passionate. G
igent; she proud, cool, defensive in t
aloofness of her beauty. Then at Ia
his prevailed A faint color rose fro
her neck, deepened and spread over
face and forehead. In q moment S
dropped her eyes.
Don't you think you stare lit
rudsly, Mr.. Thorpe?" she asked.
The vision was over.
How did you know my namer'
asked.
She planted both elbows on the N
way and framed her little face az
ciously with her long pointed hands.
"Tf Mr. Harry Thorpe can ask Il