Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-12-07
ROGUE RIVER cOURIRR GRANTS OREGON DECEMBER 1900

fell UDOU IL SOlls S+o'os
clatter of stones was now no longer
heard They were among the shau'
owy trees. gaunt trunk> of enormous
size looming up in the light oil the IAN
terms UnconsciOusly her tnouSnts
went over to the forest of Arden anu
the woodland home of Rosalind' as sue
had imagined ii TO be. Soon lhere
came TO her ears the swish OF waters
as of some turbulent river hurrying
Inv Instinctively she drew back, ana
her eyes were set with alarm upon the
black wall of night ahead. 1etlve hau
snoken more than once of this wilder
ness. Many an unlucky traveller hau
been lost forever In its Businesses
ut is the river. your highness. There
is no danger. will not lead you INTO
it." he said. Il trife roughly. I'VE are
low in the valley, and there are
marshes yonder when the river Is III
its natural bed. The floods have cover
ed the low grounds. and there Is tor
rent coming down from the hills. Here
we are, your highness. This Is the Inn
of the Hawk and Raven
He bowed and pointed with his nat
to the smoldering fire short distance
ahead. They had turned bend In the
oyerhanging cliff and were very close
TO the retreat before she saw the glow
The fire was in the open air ana Ill
rectlv IL. front Of deep cleft In the
rocky background. Judging by the
sound the river could not be more thap
200 feet away. Men came up with
lanterns and others piled brush upon
the fire. In Il very short time the glen
was werdly Illuminated by the dane
ing flames. From her seat on the huge
log Beverly was thus enabled to survey
n portion of her surroundings. The
overhanging ledge of rock formed
wide, deep canopy, underneath which
was perfect shelter The floor seemed
to be rich, grassless loan, and here ana
there were pallets Of long grass, evil
IDENTIFY the couches of these homeless
men. All about were huge trees, and
in the direction of the river the grass
grew higher and then gave place TO
reeds. The foliage above was so dense
that the moon and stars were invisible.
There was deathly stiffness in the air.
The very loneliness was so appalling
that Beverly's poor little heart was in
a culver Of dread. Aunt Fanny, who
sat near by, had not spoken since leav-
H.. hn htt har "
pressively active.
The tall leader stood near the fire
conversing with half dozen Of his fol-
lowers. Miss Calhoun's eyes finally
rested upon this central figure In the
strange picture. He was attired in a
dark gray uniform that reminded her
oddly of the dragon choruses In the
comic operas at home. The garments,
while torn and soiled, were well fitting
His shoulders were broad and square,
his hips narrow, his legs iNng and
straight. There was an air Of impu-
dent grace about him that went well
with his life and profession.
Surely here was careless free lance
upon whom life weighed lightly. while
death stood afar off" and despaired
The light of the fire brought his gleam-
ing face into bold relief, for his hat
was off. Black and thick was his hair
rumpled and apparently uncared for
The face was lean. smooth and strong
with devil-may care curve at the cor
ners of the mouth. Beverly found her
self lamenting the fact that such an IN.
teresting face should be murred by an
ugly black patch. covering she knew
not what manner Of defect. As for Tic
rest of them, they were grim coll
pany. Some We're young ana Learl.es
others were old and grizzly. hUt u.
were active, alert and strong IT,
leader appeared to he the on.y one il
the party who con d speak unu m.cr
stand the English language As Eev
eriy sat ana watched his riri,e. morn
ing face and stu-ieI his GRACEFUL move
meuts She found herself wondering
how an ignorant. homeless Wau@crcr
in the hills coJ.I be 50 poeti" and $50
cultured as this fellow seemed - be.
Three or four mcn. who were unmis
takaUiy of a lower order tEan their
companions. set about preparing Il sun.
per- Others mhitchel the tired horses
and led them o" toward the river. Two
dashng young fellows carried the seat
cushions under the rocky canopy and
constructed I'm elaborate couch for the
princess" The chief. with his own
hands. soon began the construction of
Il small chamber in this particular cor.
ncr Of the cave near the opening The
walls of the chamber were formed of
carriage robes aud blankets, cloaks and
oak branches.
THE guest chamber, your hlghness,"
he said approaching her with smile
at the conclusion of his work.
II has been most interesting to
wNtch YOU" she said. rising.
And it has been Il delight to inter-
tst you he responded. You will find
serIuSion there, and you need see none
of US until it pleases you
She looked him fairly in the eye for Il
moment anl yheu impusively extended
her hand. He clasped it warmly, but