The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-11-17

HE WONDERED IF DROWNED PERSONS
SHOWED NO SIGN OF THEIR EXPERIENCES.
not seen her. Now it seemed that on
the balmy breath of the woods was
borne her Eoice calling to him to re-
turn.
For a moment he pulled rapidly at
his cigar, then, with sudden determine
ton, he flung it out of the window and
went into the chair car. They were
slowing up for station, and he could
catch the up train in about an hour.
1t seemed more than an hour before
the other train came laundering along,
for as he paced the narrow platform he
seemed to hear Rays voice, now tinged
with note of terror. He was certain
that something had happened, and he
was miles away.
1t was almost dark when the train
pulled into the station at which he had
embarked that morning, and he could
scarcely wait to stow his traps with
the ticket agent and arrange for boat
in which to row across to camp.
It took only few minutes, but not
until his back bent to the oars did he
feel content. 1t was a light skiff, but
he was cramped from the train, and
the hard work at the oars tired him
and Gained his spirit somewhat. Sud-
denly the boat struck an object in the
water.
With Il start, he sprang up to see
what it was, and with cry Of hor-
ror he stumbled forward to the bow.
Al, Do
had coaXcd the guides to build for her,
the very canoe over which the quarrel
had started Now it was floating up
side down with jagged rent in its
bottom.
Almost fearfully he righted 1t, and,
fastening the canoe to the stern Of his
skiff. he made the oarlocks smoke with
the power and speed he put into his
stroke.
The camp was across the lake from
the station. and n small island lay be-
tween. He was so engrossed with his
thoughts that he forgot the island until
the keel Of the skiff grated upon the
sandy beach.
He sprang to his feet and turned to
confront Ray. She was still in the lit
tie white dress she had worn the even
ing before. but the garments were not
water soaked. and the fluffy hair, form
ing an aureole about her piquant face.
showed no sign of wetting.
He wondered vaguely as he stared
dumbly at the figure II drowned per.
sons when they returned to earth
showed no sign of their experiences 1t
WAS Che girl who broke the silence.
Il knew you would come" she laugh
ed. I've been calling you all day"
Didn't sou know had gone homer
he asked
Did you?" she asked in surprise. II
clipped out before the rest of the peo-
pie were awake and came out for a
paddle. | bcachcd here to look for ber-
rieS, and When | came to look for the
canoe it had been blown off and was
floating most provokingly just out of
reach.
u tried to make it come back by
throwing rocks out beyond it to make
Il ripple. but instead | struck the boat,
and ii turned over, and wind came
up ami blow il away she added, look
Toward. lave not had my breakfast
Vt, and is long after supper time"
And il IS really you?" he demanded.
Il thought VIXEN I saw the canoe that
what | feared had come to pass-that
yau lad been drowned"
Don't &cJlI." She pleaded 81 know
j; VS. TGoE%. but | wanted to show
y1u that ! could take care of myself.
AID
NH y,u co1!d not" lie finished. Il
hope that arirr this you will let some
one - with YOU"
Gid you - away?" she asked,
abruptly changing tAc subject
"Yc:, l thought l was of no use
here"
"A"I l kept calling 20 you all day. 1
thought you were still in camp"
Il heard You on the train" he ex-
planned. Il heard you calling, and 1
GOt oil and took the UP train back
again. was just rowing over to
camp"
Il suppose we will find no one there"
she said They arc all out looking for
me You see. told them | was going
to climb Mount Tom. SO no one thought
of the lake. | knew you would. That's
why 1 called YOU
as that the only reason" he de-
manded.
She held up her hand. please don't