Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-10
D Daniel of The Lions Den II
0>9 8v Carroll Mat7ou Rankin e--8
3y Carroll 2Uat7on Rankin

Marson looked pleasantly into the chdlike hazel eyes
level with his own darker and smiled kind, half
pitying smile for Daniels countenance was an open
book and Philip had read it at glance But Daniel too
was quick at reading countenances 1t was Marstons
exceedingly pleasing habit to smile with his twnkng
appreciatve eyes rather than with his lips but was
said that his smile because of its almost irresistible at
ractiveness would any time win for him the lifelong
friendship of any but the most hardened of mankind
There was certainly nothing adamantine about Daniel
That susceptible youth promptly bestowed all there was
left of his ardent young affections upon Marston, and
they were not misplaced To Daniel, Marston was
revelation He had not suspected the world of contain
ing mortal favored in every way; certainly in his
own limited sphere there nothing to compare with
him for strength manlness and beauty, Even fine
looking, collegebred Gaylord, who in Daniels opinion,
had hitherto held first place type of manly beauty
and general excellence, completely eclpsed.
By the time the boat reached the Den, there
nothing that Daniel would have refused to do for Mars
ton. He onged, indeed, for things to do. No college
girl was ever afflicted with sudden more
complete crush" than was poor Daniel And in his
case there were complications for this surprising
love had in nowise displaced his alteration for Rhea in
TRUTH he adored them both, and in equal degree.
1t was late in the afternoon when Daniel and the guest
stepped aboard the Lions Den. As Gaylord had pre-
dcted Elisabeth liked Philip at sight Dckey, always
denOnStraVe, Outdd his usual best in the way OF rap
turous greetings and "Toots" who usually went into
spasms at the first glimpse of tall, dark strangers
promptly held out both arms this one and afterwards
beamed approval from the height of his broad shoulder
OF course l like him." said Rhea, when Elisabeth
asked He's splenddly proportoned, his features are
fine, his pleasing, and his smile-WeI! l
don't wonder that everybody likes hir-I can't imagine
anybody being able to help it"
4 cam" shifted raw-boned Regina, Unexpectedly
looking up from her pie-crust. could never abide
a dark man without whiskers. I can't abide any man.
for that matter, but without whskers is crime
Besides it amt right for to be good ookin'. If
there amt looks enough go round the Lord ought to
give what there is to the women"
And some women" said rather plain Elisabeth, look
ing after Rhea, who had started dectward, certainly
get more than their share
yes" snapped privileged Regina outwardly antag-
onsc to everybody and everything, but inwardly al
most as ender-hearted Daniel And when they
handsome they generally knows it I'm thankful that
was left plain and unconceited-there amt mite of
conceit about me-
yet" murmured Elisabeth wickedly you make
fair apple pie
"Fair!" bazed Regina. "A fair apple pie Well!
If there's anybody this continent that can make
better, Id like to eat it,"
For three weeks the Gaylords and their guests, still
adored by Daniel fshed and frolclzed and in spite of
Regnas excellent pies, lived wholesome, happy,
sble outdoor life The Den happened to be anchored
perhaps hundred feet from small green island at
greater distances other less green isles.
Then, barely mile away was the uninhabted main
land. Often, rowed by Daniel and provisioned by
Regina the little party spent long, happy days on one or
another of these neglected beauty spots The in
dustrious gathered berries Rhea made pretense of
sketchng and Philip always with Dicky at his heels
and Daniel at his elbow, divided his attention equally
between Rhea and Elisabeth They had their end Of the
lake practically themselves Nothing called the lakes
larger craft to their portion of the water and smaller
boats found equally attractive spots within easier reach
Indeed the secuson of the Gaylords favorite outing
place its chief charm.
For twenty-one days they picnicked uneventfully,
Daniel tearing himself away twice week to go to town
for mail and necessary provisions Then, early one
morning when the inmates OF the Den still in their
tiny rooms, something happened; something unusual
so alarming that all plans promptly abandoned
Toots, who had tossed uneasily all night found
to have unexpectedly broken with truly terrifying
eruption Elisabeth whose infants had thus far escaped
all contagious ills that infant flesh is heir to- turned pale
at the discovery for close upon its heels came most
alarming thought. The Gaylords had picncked two
days previously on the site of an abandoned lumber
camp Toots had taken her midday nap logs that
had once been part of a logger's cabin.
"Oh!" groaned terrified Elisabeth, "it may be
measles or scarlet fever! 1t may be smallpox!
That whole lumber camp may have died of it! Archie!
Do look great red spots all down her back Oh, don't
come so close-you may catch it
BY nks" exclaimed Gaylord, inspecting his
squirmng daughter, she's certainly badly broken out
with something! Isn't good sign when they break
out so thoroughly? Perhaps Rhea Regina may know
what it isl never saw a of any nfante disease
in my life"
But neither Rhea Regina had had any experience
with ailng childhood and neither could diagnose the
case. Regina, however, a person of ideas.
"Them there spots" said she, nvoluntarly backing
toward the door, "look just like a boy 1 seen with
chickenpox smallpox looks just the same, they say"
"The thing to do" said Archibald, decisively, is to
take that baby straight home to Dr. Smith before she
gets any worse. Leave the others right here with
Regina If the case isn't serious and if everyhngs all