Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-02

the river, and she knew well what that
would lead to. And she replied to the voice
as If 1t had been only her own thoughts
which were identical-with which she was
communing:
why, of course he's going down to the
next pool" she said Hes making for the
deep water now. There!'
She splashed her way through the margin
of the foot-deep water, and nearly fell over
a stone just as the fish felt the full current
of the river, and was off like an arrow
down stream. Her reel screamed out, and
there was a dreadful length of line between
her and the fly. But she was off like Alta
lanta after him, and before matters were
wholly desperate, a bend in the rapids
brought her nearer to him, and, still run
ming, she reeled in. Then-oh, blessed
haven!-he reached the deep water of the
pool below, and swimming in small circles
near the head of 1t allowed her to recap
ture more of her line. Then, still without
looking away from the water Qor she felt
sure that the owner of the voice had come
down with herr, she spoke to him again.
1.-The humor of the situation Is that
have only the very lightest tackle, she
said. But, luckily, the fish doesn't know
that And would you be so good as to get
my landing net? 1 left it on the bank just
below the bridge.
II saw it, and brought It," said the voice
Il should say butterfly net would be about
as useful. He's twenty-pounder!
Maud suddenly laughed.
II wonder what is going to happen
next?" she cried. Isn't it fun not know
Ing? Oh, look!''
to show himself properly, and splashed
soundingly back into the pool again
Twenty pounds and few extra" re-
marked the voice. Il told my gilie to be
down here by II, and he'll bring a gaff. He
ought to be in plenty of time. Tnere'n be
| no gazing going on yet"
That turned out to be perfectly true, and
| a dozen times in the next quarter of an
| hour Maud knew that she was within an
ace of losing him. He behaved like the
strong fresh-run fish that he was, making
| disconcertng rushes down to the very tail
| of the pool, and running out her line almost
| to its last yard. before she had time to
\ follow along the stony bank. Then he
would seek the very deepest holes, and lie
! there, shaking his head, and putting the
/ most dangerous swapping strain on her fine
| gut. Then, with rush, he would come
| straight back toward her, so that, do wha,
| she would, there were long perilous mo-
| ments, though she reeled up with hghtnins
/ hand when he was on slack line. But
| at length he began to tire, and instead Of
| hurting himself about the pool allowed him
| self just to drift with the stream. That
! too, was dangerous, for she had to tow him
1 in toward her with the utmost gentleness
| since both his dead weight and the press
of the water were against her. Then again
| his savage pride awoke and he would strug-
| gle against this mysterious compelling
force but he was weakening.
| Maud feft TINS.
| "Oh. isn't your gillie here YETI" she
asked suddenly.
Yes, he came several minutes ago. Shall
| l gaff him for you. or shall hep
| Who is he?" asked Maud.
IT'S Duncan, my lady," said another
voice
.Oh, then. Duncan, please" said She us
| that rude of me? But, you see I know
| Duncan. Get further down, Duncan; get
| below him, so that he can't see your
| But there were several agitating moments
| yet. Each time the fish drifted with the
| stream she towed him little nearer to the
| bank but though he was very weak now
| bic of unexpected momentary violences
with fin out of the water, and broad sill
very side shining. With a quick, crafty
movement Duncan had him on the bank
XIII him quickly, Duncan!" she said
| "Oh, what a darling! Quite fresh from the
sea-"
| Then. for the first time. Maud turned to
| look at the stranger. and found a tall
pleasant, clean-shaven young man smiling
| at her.
II really am extremely obliged to you."
| she said. Il could not possibly have land
| ed him without your gafr."
He laughed at this, showing very white
| even teeth.
why, think that is So" he said "But
1 am your debtor much more. / never
saw fish handled so well. Look at your
tackle, toov'
'Oh, / know the water" said she, land
that makes so much difference"
Then suddenly the conjunction of total