Arizona republican., 1909-12-27

An hour later Rhea descended to the tiny room she shared with Dicky. 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 soundly Daniel, dIvested Of all clothing his swimming tights crep aft to where the boat was tethered Silently he boarded her, softly he padded away into the night toward the spot where the green island loomed darkly On the further side of this small affair he landed beached his boat in the tiny, hafconceaed and fastened the rope to the tree the place afforded Then Daniel. quaking with dread crossed the island to the point nearest tine Den.
 Shudderng Daniel, who was anything but phibious animal gazed longingly toward the house boats twnkng lantern. To moderately expert swim the distance would have seemed trlie; but to Daniel, who instinctvey hated and feared all cold deep waters and whose natatoral accomplishments rmenary to the last degree the breach between the island and the Den seemed ocean-wde. But Daniel of the stuff from which martyrs are made
 "A week." he whispered to his shrinking soul. :" It'll give em whole week I'd orter be glad of chance to drown for her an him. I glad. But the Lord knows there ant no Bottom to this here lake in spots an I'm scared clean through I'm scared-lm scared, O Lord,"
 Then there was sudden determined splash, and the rock on which Daniel had wavered was vacant; while Daniel battling with terror because thousand invisible hands seemed to clutch and drag him down down to horrible intermnable depths houndered heplessly un der tons of black, suffocating water.
 How he finally managed to reach the Den. Daniel knew but twenty minutes-or twenty years afterwards, lean, dripping figure dragged its long, weary length aboard the Lions Den. and creeping for ward to the spot known as Daniels cubby hoie, crawled in.
 Regina was the first to discover morning. that the boat the only connecting link between dry land and the Lions Den, had vanished My land. you Daniel!" she cried here you sleeping like log galore and the boat gone! Get up this minute and if you can't see her"
 Daniel his orange-hued locks standing out about his guilecss coTntenance like beams about midday sun, stared stupidy at the lake.
 Somebody of stole it in the night" he said
 "Nonsense!" snapped Regina. You forgot to tie t when you got hack with all that stuff that nobody told you 10 buy. You re the stupidest-but there! we may need it, after all if nobody brings that boat back"
 At breakfast time it Daniels duty to serve The others seated at the table when Regina told them about the boat
 ~Gone!" gasped R.ea, dismayed yet with hopeful was days before the fsmiy "; G,si,, rescued"
 But," demanded Philip, his eyes Rhea's, how am to catch that train:
 Suddenly, like burs:i-o from heavy clouds, radiance overspread ;he gi-. src2,nS corntenance-
 You can't possibly do l., S,ic cried And of course if you can't go, you wont ha.e to. rHl-rm glad"
 "Tm-well I'm afraid I'm no. sorry $ should be- admitted Marston. sniiIng at RicaA Since that boat lad to break loose iUn glad :, selected such opportpne moment Wen Lave Ii lea't ore more day together"
 :. You mean wee:-ha'iy gee sasped delighted Daniel pulling himself ID wi,i jerk Fave cake, Miss khea-that top ones your kind"
 The happiest days, like the happest nations are those that have no history. The next two days. owing a control passed without noteworthy incident Rhea and Marson rigdly chaperoned by Regina, whose bump of propriety seemed abnormally developed had a great deal to talk about, but Daniel heard little of their con versation. It happiness enough for Darie know that his unsuspecting charges contented The morning of the third day fierce squal swooped down upon the lake, bringing with 1t heavy downpour. Daniel put up the tarpauins and the objects of his benehcence still conversed in comfort while their bene factor beamed from afar
 I done the right thing" Daniel would murmur at intervals She wanted a week more of him and she's gettn it-or she will if this rain keeps up If she ant gettn time to make her mind up it aint my fault
 Likewise ever, clear and sweet with balsay odors from dis tant hlsdes Toward noon, Dcky deserted toward the downward end of the lake smoke from approaching naphtha launch Presently, the little boat. headed straight for the Lions Den became audible as well delight; but Rhea and Philip eyed each other sadly, wistfuly; Daniels countenance too, pe-ceptiby longer. lordll say, how I'm couin out, but I'm glad done it But don't know yet if they've had time cnough'
 Why in the world" demarded Gaylord, when Daniel had sadly helped the family aboard, Haven't you ;ciks sent tor your mail? for;d nine urcsed for letters, besides two teegrams that i you rysei-couldn't get here sooner. had important business"
 Toots didn't have smallpox measles" Elisa- beth was explaining Dr. S1fth said the trouble caused by fnfr irritons, soricthng like that and was epidemic rather than coEtagioas That frightened me to death, l sent for Dr. Bacon. And Rheal What do you think he said il was: Just plain aea- bitesl"
 Oh, mol" murmured Riea
 "Oh, yes! minlicked Gaylord. krow. because caught the flea Whats that, Resira' The boat gonea The Lions Den cast away? Dan:ei"
 was thinkin. said Daniel, appeolingly that she might have drifted to one of them small islands like sho did last time
 You poor people," cried Elisabeth: ." I hope you had enough to cat
 Nobody suffered from hunger" rlrmured Rhea. demurey but with heightened colo-; but-but, Elisa beth, Philip and are engaged {.
 "Engagedl" gasped Gaylord
 Engaged!" echoed Elisabeth. Since when, I'd like to know?"
 Daniel, too wished to know SO he waited slia1l,elessy for the reply
 Since about ten minutes ago. explained Philip frankly. We knew that I'd bave to go back in tho launch SO we settled things n a hurry"
 Daniel. satisfied yet wihal little wisful slipped unisotieed from the chattering group
 Well said he, with lingering glance at the two radiant faces. I'm darn glad done l. just the same"