The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1908-01-30


" down Clear river she at the DOW
and the guide at the stern, he hou
whispered suddenly: There's Il deer'
SIT perfectly still"
Nearer and nearer the UNCONSCIOUS
little creature they stole until suddeD'
~ hc raised his head, his whole Dody
tent with alertness, and stood looking
at them curlously. Then, with snort
of fear he leaped into the bushes anu
disappeared through the cracking I'M
derb;ush into the forest, For mo-
ment no one spoke. Then Helen turn
ed suddenly around, almost overturn-
ing the canoe In her eagerness'
DO men shoot those exquisite crea
turcs?" she asked, looking at the guide
with wide, lncreduous eyes.
Some do" he answered laconicalI|'
I'D rather put my arms around theIn
myself" .,.e
Helen breathed a deep sigh of RELIEF
and took up the paddle again. She WoH
unaware that after this the danger
proof guide" the while his keen eyes
scanned the river on either side for
telltae sway OF tho bushes, watcher
with no less intentness the grnceiu
swing of her rounded white arms. Nor
did she guess that the contrary Wlhd
against which they were struggling
seemed to him q special favor, as u
blew back her wavy hair, in color sug-
gcstive of tile bright tawny coat OF a
deer. but far more ustrous.
On the day set to turn back on the
trail the rain fell IN steady down
pour. and they were obliged to wait
over till the sun should shine again.
Late in the afternoon there being
some feeble signs Of clearing, Helen
proposed Il fishing trip on the lake Tho
rest of the party vetoed the suggestion
Immediately. but Helen donned her
sweater tied on her cap with long
brown veil an unconsclously becoming
effect-and announced that she was go
ing anyway,
After rowing out some distance the
guide noticed that her rod still lay IN
the bottom Of the boat
"Your hook is balted, Miss Wright
he said courteOusly.
ooh, bother the hait!" returned Hell
en- Unexpectedly. isn't It etiquette
ever to go out rowing just for the fun
of it? Must one always fish,
Though the guide made no comment, |
Helen vas sure she detected twinkle
of amusement in his eyes as he contin-
ued to row on with Grm, even strokes.
At length, just as the sun broke
through the clouds, the boat glidcd in
to q cool mirrorel stream leading al
most imperceptiblr into the woods
from the head of the lake. In and ont
among little groups of island bushes
they made their way, and on and III
into the sunset ever just beyond. The
spell Of cnChnntment was upon thcm.
do you like it, asked the guide.
1T Is paradise" was Helen's scarce
ly audible reply.
\ long silence followed
81 WISH" said Helen finally, YOU
would tell me what you are thinking
about this very moment won't you"
He hcsitated, then answered modest
~:
"My thoughts are too personal to in
tereSt YOU
"That is impossible" returned Hell
en-. please tell me-"
II was thinking" he began slowly
after moments hesitation, of some
lines l once read somewhere. 'NeYer
the time and the place and the loved
one altogether
I know them" said Helen Softly.
ITS a pity the complete harmony hap
pens 50 seldom, isn't It? | wish b.
some magic | could change places with
the woman you are longing for now"
He smiled ut her with a brightness
that tNnstlgured his usually serious
face.
Il would have you stay where you
are" he said gently, only would
have you love ne. There is not enough
magic in the world for that fear"
When Helen woke the next morning
the words lat the end OF the trail, at
the end Of the TRAIL" kept ringing in
her ears. Soon their significance flash
ed acro.s her She had promised 10
give him Gu answer at the end of the
trail and today they were to start for
home
With each step Of the way she de-
Dated the question, What did she
know Of him? Only that he was strong
and handsome, full Of certain shy hu-
NOR. lover Of nature, courteous ana
gentle, yet firm and masterful. Was
lhat enough to justify her taking the
unknown on faith?
From dime to time she watched his
manly figure swinging along with pic.