The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1905-01-04


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 tho.ght, without clear intentions
, even, 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
/ " a series of horses built of timber,
across which thick Norway logs are
! laid about four feet from the ground
to form a continuous pathway. In
Z 1t ICSCI1DlCc lOl1lh6 81 Ah0NA
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
i fence when he saw her. So he stopped
short concealed by the leaves and the
! timber horse.
| She stood on a 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
nothing-just 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 d
| ceremonious adieu to the solemn trees.
Then, with little laugh, she moved
away in the direction of the river.
At once Thorpe proved a great need
of seeing her again. In his present
mood there was nothing of the awe
stricken peace he had experienced aft
err 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-
/ inc the outward semblance of ease
which the presence of Tim Shearer
and the Fighting Forty demanded.
And next day he saw her again, and
the next, because the need of his heart
demanded it and because, simply
enough. she came every afternoon to
the clump of pines by the old pole
trail. But now curiosity awoke and
desire for something more. He must
speak to her, touch her hand, look in
i to her eyes. He resolved to approach
1 her, and the mere thought choked him
and sent him weak.
When he saw her again from the
shelter of the pole trail he dared not,
and so stood there prey to mover
sensation, that of being baffied IN an
intention. AS he hesitated he saw that
she was walking slowly in his dlrec-
ton. Perhaps a hundred PAGES sep
arated the two. She took them de-
liberately Her progression was Sc
ries of poses, the one which melteo
imperceptibly into the other withOu1
appreciate pause of transition.
In a moment she had reached the
fringe of brush about the pole trail
They stood face to face.
She gave a little start of surprise
and her hand leaped to her breast
where it caught and stayed. Her child
like housekeeping mouth parted
little more, and the breath quickenet
through it. But her eyes, her wide
trusting, innocent eyes, sought his ant
rested.
He did not move. One on either sid
of the spike-marked old Norway log Q
the trail they stood, and for an appre
cable interval the duel of their glance
lasted-he masterful, passionate, eS
igent; she proud, cool, defensive in tn
: aloofness of her beauty. Then at las
: his prevailed A faint color rose froI
her neck, deepened and spread over he
face and forehead. In moment sh
dropped her eyes.
! Don't you think you stare littl
rudely, Mr.. Thorpe? she asked.
Tho vision was over
: "How did you know my name?' 3
f asked.
o She planted both elbows on the No
+ way and framed her little face del
4 ciously with her long pointed hands
: "If Mr.. Harry Thorpe can ask thu
question" she replied. "he is not quii
| SO impolite as had thought him.
: .sHow is that?" he inquired breatl
J. lessly.
RI "Don't you know who / amF 81
l. asked in return.
J. "A goddess, beautiful woman!
= apcu,orad 1.idicI1lollSlV enough.