Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-10

"No it was you he wanted to admire" asserted Rhea.
He thinks you're the most wonderful thing that ever
happened"
shared with Dicly Regina likewise sought the lower
regions. Marston smoked for another half hour, and
then retired to his comfortable quarters in the upper
cabin
Just at midnight when all the other inmates Of the
Den slumberng soundy, Daniel, d1vested OF all
clothing save his swimming tights, crept aft to where
the boat was tehered Silently he boarded her. softly
he padded away into the night, toward the spot where
the nearest green island loomed darly On the further
side of this small affair he landed beached his boat in
the tiny, halfconceaed and fastened the rope to
the tree the place afforded Then Daniel quaking
with dread crossed the island to the point nearest the
Shuddering, Daniel, who was anything but
phibious animal gazed ongingy toward the house
boats twnkling lantern To moderately expert swim
mer the distance would have seemed mere triie but
Daniel who instinctively hated and feared all cold
deep waters and whose naatorial accomplishments were
rudmenary the last degree the breach between the
island and the Den seemed ocean-wide But Daniel was
of the stuff from which martyrs made.
A week." he whispered to his shrinking soul It'll
give 'em whole week Id orter be glad OF chance to
drown for her an him an glad But the Lord knqws 2Y
scared clean through. I'm scared-Pm scared, 0
Lord"
Then there was sudden determined splash and the
rock on which Daniel had wavered vacant; while
Daniel battling with because thousand invisible
hands seemed to clutch and drag him down, down to
horrible intermnabe depths, aoundered helpessy un-
der tons of black, suffocatng water.
How he finally managed to reach the Den Daniel
afterwards, lean dripping figure dragged its long,
weary length aboard the Lions Den and creeping for
ward to the spot known Daniels cubby hole"
crawled in
Regina was the first to discover, next morning that
the boat the only connecting link between dry land and
she cried; "here you sleeping like log galore and
the boat gone Get up this minute and see II you can't
see her"
Daniel his orangehued locks standing out about his
guielcss countenance like beams about midday sun,
stared stupidly at the lake.
Somebody must of stole it in the night" he said.
"Nonsense" snapped Regina. You forgot to tie it
when you got back with all that stuff that nobody told
you to buy You're the stqpdest1,but there w, may
need it, after ALL if nobody brings that boat back"
AT breakfast time it was Daniels duty to serve The
others seated at the table when Regina told them
"Gonel" gasped Rhea dismayed, yet with hopeful
ring in her voice Why the last time it drfted off it
But" demanded Philip his eyes on Rheas, how
am to catch that train?
Suddenly like a sun bursting from heavy clouds,
You can't possibly do it." she cried And of course
if you can't go, you won't have to. Tm-lm glad
Nm at3d LII not It as R5o5 5oy a sncc s4bf tst
boat had to break loose, I'm glad it selected such an
opportune moment Well have at least one more day
together.
"You mean a wee-huly geel" gasped delighted
Daniel, pulling himself up with jeTk' Have cake
Miss Rheahat @ top 9nes @ N your Rnd nations are tbos.
that have no history The next two days, owing to
train of happy circumstances over which Daniel had no
Marston, rgidly chaperoned by Regina whose bump OF
proprety seemed abnormaly developed, had great
deal to talk about but Daniel heard little of their con-
versation. 1t happiness enough for Daniel to know
that his unsuspectng charges were contented; Inc
morning of the third day fierce squa swooped down
upon the lake. bringing with it heavy downpour.
Daniel put up the tarpaulins and the objects OF his
benefcence still conversed in comfort while their bene-
factor beamed from afar.
Il done the right thing" Daniel would murmur at
intervals She wanted a week more of him and she's
getn' tor she will if this rain keeps up II she amt
gettin' time to make her mind up it amt my tault
The fourth day was likewise stormy ne hfth, now
ever, clear and sweet with basay odors from as
tan hllsides Toward noon, Dcy deserted toward the
downward end of the lake, smoke from an approaching
naphtfa launch Presently, the little boat, headed
straight for the Lions Dem became audible as well as
visible AS the distance lessened Dicky whooped with
delight; but Rhea and Philip eyed each other sadly,
wistfuly; Daniels counenance, too, grew perceptby
II dunno" Daniel thinking, What m, Mr. Gay, Gay.
ordl say, how I'm comm out, but I'm glad done
it But don't know yet if they've had time enough; :,
"Whv in the world demanded Gaylord, when Daniel
had sadly helped the family aboard, haven't you tolks
sent for your mail? found nine uncaed,for letters,
besides two kilograms that sent you myself-couldnt
get here sooner, had important business. ~
Toots didn't have smallpox or even measles, tsa
beth was explaining Dr. Smith said the trouble % was
caused by bnet vitdHS, something like that, and
was epidemic rather than contagious nat 1rig4tened
me to death, so I sent for DR.. Bacon. And Rhea!
What do you think he said it was! Just PLAIN flea
"Oh. not" murmured Rhea.
"Oh' yes minicked Gaylord. "I know, because |
caught the flea What's that, Regina! he boat gone!
The Lions Den cast away? Daniel"
al was thinkin'" said Daniel appeallngiy' that she
might drfted to of them small islands like she
did last time. o,
You poor peope!" cried Elisabeth; Il hope you
had enough to eat?
Nobody suffered from hunger" murmured Rhea
demurely but with heightened color; but-but Elisa
beth Philip and are engaged.
Engaged" gasped Gaylord. -
Engaged" echoed Elisabeth Since when Ia like
to know?" .,,t
for the reply.
Since about ten minutes ago." explained Philip
frankly "We knew that I'd have to go back in the
launch so we settled things in a hurry"
Daniel. satisfied, yet withal little wisttul slipped
tinnoticed from the chatterng group
@Well." said he with lingering glance at the two
radiant faces Pm darn glad done it just the same