Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-12-13

against Dan was due to a summary dis
missal from Dams farmhouse, wheI! his
visits to see Miriam, Dams handsome
young daughter, a slip of a girl of Is,
were resented by her father with fiery
indignation.
Dalton Fenwick fell into the pleas
ing habit Of lettering away the morn
ing hours with Miriam on the well
shaded porch, while her elderly COM
panion, Mrs. Carter, looked after cul-
mary matters, ever dear to her heart ;
or in the afternoons of those bright
summer days they would stroll through
the forest, sit on rock at the foot of
Glen Birnie's falls and discuss mat
tiers, ethical, social and others, to the
sound of the rush of the waters; or
they would drive to some distant ham
let lying in the heart of a lonely valley.
coming back at nightfall when the last
glory of day had fallen behind the I'M
dulating ranges and faint mists yelled
the peaks.
There must have been some very spe-
Dan Kirkwood those days. His horse
would be saddled and brought to the
door, and after a hasty breakfast he
would ride off, over the same trail
through the woods, coming back late in
the afternoon, faded, but with strange
jubilation in his stern face, although he
said nothing as to the cause of ii. or
the reason for his continued absences.
That he rode far was evident from
the tired walk and dropping neck of his
sorrel when he got back, nor did he
visit his mill or farm, the young man
In charge of both coming nightly TO
make his report
Miriam was surprised, then vaguely
uneasy, but was too proudly devoted to
her father to have any doubts concern
ing him or his occupation, nor would
she ask any questions, as he did not
volunteer to explain.
I'VE are going on grand expedition
tomorrow, dad. l wish you were not
so busy and could go with u.s." Miriam
said. placing a loving hand on her faith
er's shoulder.
u wish l could, grille. Where are
you going? l suppose Dalton will be
along?"
"Oh, yes. We intend to picnic in
Black Cave. Dear old Carter has got
ten up a famous lunch basket We will
drive there in the four-seated trap, and
Joe will come along to look after the
horses"
Black Cave, half way up Black
Mountain, is a singular and rather
startling place to visit.
1t runs back from the sharp declivity
of preciptous cliff, which is heavily
timbered. and the entrance, small and
narrow, is so hemmed in by shrubs and
bushes it is only discernible 10 those
who know it. while the towering gran
tie boulder into which the cave runs Is
overgrown with a century-old forest
growth of hemlock and pines.
The drive back would have been glo
rious only Miriam complained of 6
headache, and the horses being nettle
some and the road rough, Dalton's close
attention was required to avoid any
mishap.
1t was growing toward dusk, but DaT
Kirkwood had not returned.
Bill Jones slouched up the walk Il
the porch steps.
''Not home yet? 1 thought not. Well
I'm sorry to bring you bad news, but
you've got to hear it sooner or later
and l may as well tell YOU" he said
sitting down on the top step with al
affectation of ease badly assumed
while Miriam sprang up and looked
down at him with blazing eyes.
THE revenue officers have been mott
fed They must have arrested Kirk
wood by this time. He and his gans
have a still in Black Cave. They'll b.
caught red handed. I'm afraid Dar
will have to go up. It's penitentiary
ofrense, you know. He has made pile.
Of money out Of 1t, but it's bad bust
nass to fool with the United States gov