The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-03-27

addressed him again, ordering him
from the premises, he continued to
shake his head and grin foolishly.
Then I pointed toward the road.
Go; and it will be best for you not
to come here again." said, and, after
saluting. he walked slowly away into
the wood, with sort Of logged inso.
lence in his slightly swaying gait. At
nod from me lima stole after him
while waited, and in few minutes
the boy came back and reported that
the man had passed the house and
left the grounds by the carriage en-
trance, turning toward Annandale.
With my mind on Gillespie ! put OF
in the launch. determined to study tho
lake geography. have, I hope. q soul
for landscape. and the soft bubble OF
water. the lush reeds in tho shadows,
the rapidly moving panorama Of field
and forest, tho giimpses OF Wild flow.
ers, and the archsd blue above, were
restful to mind and heart, IT seemed
shameful that the vhole world was
not adest; then, as Feasetad thst IA
other boat ia these tranquil waters
would be al inperttaeaee that !
should resent, l was aware that I had
been thinking Of Helsa Hplbfe9k all
the while; aud the theasht 81 this ir.
sitated ne SO that ! sfltistred E'mA
most aa!ustly fos RAINING ths iaaasA
close to bowlder that rose like a
miniature Gibraltar near the shadowy
shore We were skirtins.
We gained the ultimate line OF the
lower lake, and followed the shore In
search Of its outlet, pleasingly set
down on the map as Tippecanoe creek.
river Of like name. The lakes wa
ters ran away. like truant child,
through a woody cleft. and in a mo-
| ment we were as clean quit of the
lake as though 1t did not exist. After
few rods the creek began to twist
and turn as though with the intention
| Of making the voyager earn his way.
In the narrow channel the beat Of our
| engine rang from the shores rebuking-
ly. and soon. as a punishment for dis
turbing the peace of the little stream.
We grounded on sand-bar.
This seems to be the head Of navi-
CATION. lima. believe this creek
was made for canoes, not battle
ships"
Between us We got the launch OF.
and landed on convenient log and
crawled up the bank to observe the
country. followed q stake.and-rtder
fence, half hidden in vines of various
sorts. and tramped along the bank. with
the creek still singing it's tortuous way
below at my right hand. Soon tho
rail fence gave way to barbed wire;
the path broadened and the under
brush was neatly cut away. Within
lay a small vegetable garden. care
fully titled; and farther on I saw a
dark green cottage almost shut in by
beeches. The path dipped sharply
down and away from the cottage, and
a moment later had lost sight OF It.;
but below, at the edge Of the creek,
stood long houseboat with an ex.
tended platform or deck on tho water.
side.
can still feel, as I recall the day
and hour, the utter peace Of the scene
when first came upon that secluded
spot: The melodious flow Of the
creek beneath; the hutter of homing
wings; even the hum Of insects in tho
sweet, thymy air. Then a step farther
and I came to a gate which opened on
q flight Of steps that led to the house
beneath; and through the Intervening
tangle ] saw q man sprawled at ease
in a steamer chair on the deck, his
arms under his head. As watched
him he sighed and turned restlessly.
and caught glimpse Of close.
trimmed beard and short, thin, slight
/, ly gray hair.
The place was clearly the summer
home Of oity man in search Of quiet.
and I was turning away. when sud
denly a woman's voice rang out clear
ly from the bank.
Halo, the houseboat!"
YES; I'm here!" answered the man
below.
Come on, father; I've been looking
for you everywhere" called the voice
again.
ooh, It's too bad you've been wait.
ing" he answered.
"Of course I've been waiting!" she
flung back. and he Jumped up and ran
toward her. Then down the steps
flashed Helen Holbrook in white. She
paused at the gate an instant before
continuing her descent to the creek,
bonding her head as she sought the
remaining steps.
Daddy, you dear old fraud, I
| thought you were coming to meet me
Oh the RIDGE"
I turned and CROPPED my way along
the darkening path. My heart was
F, humping wildly and my forehead was
vet with perspiration.
lima stood on the bank lighting bis
lantern, and I flung myself into the
launch and babe him run for home.
We were soon crossing the lake.
lay back on the cushions and gazed
up at the bright roof Of stars. Before
| I rAachad HIAnarm tho shock ~ And.