The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-03-28

cHAPTER IV-continued.

which we had approached the house.
Bates swung along confidently enough
ahead Of me, pausing occasionally TO
hold back the branches. l began TO
feel, as my rage abated. that l had set
out on a foolish undertaking. I was
utterly at sea as to the character OF
the grounds; I was following a man
whom ] had not seen until two hours
before. and whom I began to suspect
OF all manner of designs upon me. Il
was wholly unlikely that the person
who had fired into the windows would
lurk about, and. moreover. the light Of
the lantern, the crackIe OF the leaves
and the breaking Of the boughs adyer-
tised our approach loudly.
A bush slapped me sharply and I
stopped to rub the sting from my face.
Are you hurt, sir asked Bates so
hcitously. turning with the lantern.
of course not" I snapped "rm
having the time Of my life. are there
no paths in this jungieeo
Not Just here, sir. Il was Mr.. Glen
arms idea not to disturb the wood at
all. He was very fond of walking
through the timber"
Not at night, I hope! Where are
we now?"
Quite near the lake, sir"
"Then go on
] was out OF patience with Bates.
with the painless woodland. and.
must confess. with the spirit of John
Marshall Glenarm, my grandfather.
We came out presently upon a gray.
ely beach. and Bates stamped sud.
denly on planking.
This is the Glenarm dock. sir: and
that's the boat house"
He waved his lantern toward a low
structure that rose dark beside US. As
we stood silent, peering out into the
starlight, l heard distinctly the dip OF
a paddle and the soft gliding motion of
a canoe.
It's a boat. sir" whispered Bates.
hiding the lantern under his coat.
! brushed past him and crept 20 the
end Of the dock The paddle dipped
on silently and evenly in the stll
water but the sound grew fainter. A
canoe Is the most graceful, the most
sensitive, the most i~nexphcable con
triyance Of man. With its paddle you
may dip up stars along quiet shores or
steal into the very harbor OF dreams.
] knew that furtiye splash instantly,
and knew that a trained hand welded
the paddle. Ny hoyhood summers in
the Maine woods were not / find.
wholly wasted.
The owner OF the canoe had evident
" stolen close 20 the Glenarm dock.
but had made on when alarmed by the
noise OF our approach through the
wood.
Have you a boat near here. Bates?"
/ asked,
The boat house Is locked and /
haven't the key with me. sir" he re-
piled. without excitement.
"of course you haven't e." | ro-
Joined. full Of anger az his tone OF IRE
~proachable respect. and al my own
h~elpfulness. ! had not even seen the
place by daylight. and the woodland
behind me and the lake at my feet
were things OF shadow and mystery.
Ia my rage ] stamped my foot
Lead the way back. I roared.
had turned toward the woodland
when suddenly there stole across the
water a voices wOman's voice. deep,
musical and deliberate.
Really, l shouldn't be so angry n /
were you!' Il said. with a lingering
note on the word angry.
who are you? What are you doing
there?" ] bawled.
Just enjoying a little tranquil
thought" was the drawing. knocking
reply.
Far out upon the water / heard the
dip and glide Of the canoe. and saw
family It's outline for a moment. then
it was gone. The lake. the surround
ing wood, were an unknown world
the canoe. a boat OF dreams. Then
again came the voice:
Good night, merry gentlemen"
IT was a lady, sir, remarked Bates,
after we had waited silently for q full
minute,
How clever you are" ] sneered.
y suppose ladies prowl about here al
night, shooting ducks or into peoples
houses
1T would seem quite likely. SIR"
I should have liked 20 cast him into
the lake. but he was already moving
away. the lantern swinging az his side.
a INV AlAt NANA hAANAaA AAN MANA-
land 20 the house.
My spirits quickly responded 10 the
cheering influence Of the great library.
i stirred the FIRE on the hearth into
life and sat down before Il, tired from
my tramp, / was i-ystihed and per
picked by the inc ent that had al
ready marked my coming. Il was pos.
slble. 20 be sure, tat the bullet which
narrowly missed my head In the little
dining room had been a Wild shot that
carried no evil intent. dismissed at
once the idea that Il might have been
cred from the lake; Il had crashed
through the glass with too much force
a. have coms 80 far; and, moreover. /
could hardly imagine eve . ride ball