The Washington herald., 1907-01-21
THE CAMERA HUNT.
BY HONORE WILLSIE.

on after her brother and his wife who
were chatting with the guide After the
rough climbing of the morning, the little
plateau seemed heavenly. But even this
respite did not ease Penelope's sense of
irritation.
Arthur's and AIices fad had seemed so
amusing at first that she had readily &C
cepted their invitation to join them. To
hunt the Wild game Of the Rockies with
camera was unique enough TO be inter-
esting- But the hunt OF the long-tailed
deer, so high among the peaks that rapid
work was misery. had been very bad.
The three days chase for a snap at the
black wolf had been worse. and it ended
in failure. But this chase for a mountain
sheep was trying Penelope beyond en-
duranCe
It's easy for Alice" thought poor
Penelope, digging her stan viciously into
creYice. She's like a bundle OF steel
wires. She loves 10 get up before day
light and crawl half a mile on her hands
and knees 10 wait at a spring for some
silly beast to come for a drink But I'm
just worn out. Alice, Arthur
The three enthusiasts ahead turned
back. You three leave me here in the
shade Of this rock and come back for me
when you are finished. I am worn out"
Arthur looked at Penelope IN dismay
But don't you want to see a mountain
sheep?' he COaXed. Since the black
tailed deer were in the river bottom this
morning, the sAeep are sure 10 be I'D
here. Just think, Penelope; one Of those
curious. rare mountain sheep"
But even this vision failed 10 move his
sister. She shook her head. Alice gave
resigned little sigh
ii stay with you. Penelope" she said.
No, you won't" said Arthur, hastily.
It's not safe. Two women are no better
than one here"
Here the guide interposed. He had been
with them but a day, but already. be-
sides being their guide. he was their
and friend. He was too well
bred 10 be treated otherwise. Penelope
looked at the stalwart, heavily bearded
fellow in a troubled way. His resem-
blance to Dick, IN spite of the beard. was
Now tell you, Mr.. Seymore," he said.
you know as much about this business
as / do. and you tell me you have been
up this trail half a dozen times before.
Why can't stay here with your sister,
fix up camp for the night and let you and
Mrs. SeymOre 90 on and locate the
Sheep"
Good, goodr' exclaimed Seymore.
Mrs. Seymore looked a little dubious.
but Penelope spoke eagerly Here was
chance for an hour or two Of rest that
was not to be forgone
1t will only be couple Of hours" she
said, pleadingly You will be back be-
fore dark, and I am so tired, and" she
added artfully, you may miss your only
chance at the mountain sheep"
Come on. Arthur" said Mrs. Seymore.
and the two started of up the mountain.
The little plateau on which the colloouy
had taken place was smooth and wide.
with little spring trickling out Of the
great wall Of the mountain. Penelope sat
quietly watching the distant peaks in the
afternoon light while the guide set about
his preparation for the nights camp.
watching Penelope surreptitiouslv the
the masses Of her hair, the quick glow of
color in her cheeks, the delight in her
eyes as she looked at the distant glory
Of the canyon walls
Finally, her gaze wandered to the guide
as his work brought him close beside her
and again the troubled look came 10 her /
eyes.
DO YOU know" she said, abruptly |
you have resemblance to some one 7 |
used to know that is startling"
The guide Strengthened himself and
looked at her keenly. rs that so?" he 4
said IN his quiet way.
Without knowing why, she added. ut |
was SOME one who was very dear to me" 1
And now?' said the guide. tentatively. /
There is no now, said Penelope. rising
and walking toward the edge Of the pla- /
teau.
The guide watched her anxiously. Not /
too near the edge. please" he called.
Penelope did not answer. Far, far be- /
low cuTled the silvery line that was the 4
river. Then up and up. chaos of color In /
he rock masses. And silence; silence so /
Intense that. though every sense was /
keen TO catch the brilliancy of the canyon /
,oloring, Penelope stood counting her
OWN heart beats. She leaned over a lit |
lie 70 look at the ledge below her
And then, the thing happened, A sud /
Ger vertigo. a hoarse cry from behind /
ier, a sense Of endless falling, then IN /
After ages Of nOthingness. she opened /
her eyes. Far above, the sky with a /
glory Of sun and snow. a grandeur of dis /
-ant peaks and far horizon. Then sense 4
7I pain, and with ii a mans voice calling.
Penelope, Penelope and above the /
5rush-grOwn ledge on which she lay a 1
mans face looking down upon her.
Here / am I'm all right she called /
back. weakly
VIII you lie perfectly still. while I get /
me rOoe:" called the guide For
heavens sake. don't move"' and the face /
disappeared. leaving Penelope alone with /
The blue above and the far circling of an
Eagle about the crags
Then a rope with a carefully adjusted
Slip moose dangled beside her. Can you
Always the Same.
Tha~rsS Dsv~o