The Washington times., 1909-08-02
CHAPTER I.
FACE HE KNEW


ter Kentucky. He could assign no pos
sIbIe reason for visiting that water tanl
station Of the Louisville and Nashville
save his own momentary whim.
He was taking The hrst vacation ht
had been allowed for three years. He
had made up his mind that this should
De real vacation. one in which he
would be as utterly free from care as
possible.
He wanted a contrast, the greatest he
could get, for his life was one OF heavy
responsibilities in the business world.
When he bought a ticket for St, Louis
ne intended to go only as far as his
taste might lead him.
He carried Just such necessities as
could be squeezed into a suitcase, to-
gether with a jointed rod ana Tshng
tackle. He did not check the suitcase,
but kept it with him, where 1t would
permit his departure from the train
without any formalities.
For an hour before the engine pulled
into Corn Center, Blake had been in
wardly raving over the splendid noun
tains through which they ere passing.
The very crudeness Of the rather di-
lapidated town made fresh appeal He
decided that Corn Center would do for
a while, at least.
But the one and only hosiery in the
village raised a difficulty which he had
forgotten to take into consideration.
The room to which he was shown by
the fat proprietor was far from attrac-
tive.
1t caused him TO consult his time
IA Hau a4Ir 70 4
next train West was due at 10 o'clock
the following day. He knew this might
mean any time before three, when the
express from which he had just alighted
came through.
So, being Of a philosOphic turn Of
mind. he concluded to make the best
of the night Also. being considerably
travel-stained and warm. he inquired
for the bath.
The bihHlous owner Of the hotel
showed MIA out TO a woodshed in the
rear of the main building. There he
pointed to a portable galvanized iron
tub that might have held a six-year-Old
child comfortably.
At the time II contained a network
of cobwebs and a soapy line that indi-
eating its having been used some time
for the purpose for which It was orig
inally intended. The proprietor assured
him that he could have a pail of hot
water ready in half an hour
Blake fastened to assure the proprie-
tor that he had only wished to know
where the tub was in case ne should
happen to wish a bath in the morning
he didn't think he would-but he might
After that. he went back to his room
and did what he could for his face and
hands In the tin basin provided. Then
he had decided that he had better see
as much of the mountain scenery as
possible before twilight. He saundered
forth along the rough road that seem
ed to promise most in the matter Of
views
He paid no attention to the distance
he might be covering. It would be long
ere shutdown. he was weary of sit
ting. and he enjoyed the vigorous ex-
ercise. The road led close TO the
crest OF a lofty range where the
breeze was brisk and cool. The air
stimulated him and sent him on with
unfagging step. And every moment
brought some fresh peak into view,
or some new glimpse Of the river
winding slowly through the valley
beneath.
Then, suddesly. the road swung off
and there came a swift grade down
the opposite side of the range from
that up which he had come Here it
seemed TO follow a deep gorge down
the side OF the mountain.
The rich green Of the foliage at the
bottom OF the ravine drew him
onward. though ne realized that now
the breeze was gone and the air close,
humid and warm
1t was at the bottom Of his descent
that he heard the roar Of swift water
on his right. The old track Of some
wild denizen OF the forest led through
the overhanging brush. He turned to
find the stream. hoping to be able to
quench the thirst which by this time
parched his throat
The noise OF the water grew louder
as he progressed. and when, at length.
he came upon the little creek. he found
himself at the brink of a waterfall
which plunged some twenty or thirty
feet below him into deep pool at the
bottom.
II was then that, looking down into
the dark depths OF this pool, he ex-
claimed. There's your bath
CHANGING about 10 make sure that
there were no spectators TO watch his
abluttons. he hastily descended TO the
love-. level As hastily ne disposed Of
his garments. walked 10 the moss
grown, rocky bank, looked down to as
sire himself there were no projecting
rocks. and plunged headlong into the
hnpld GOODNESS.
He was an export swimmer, and the
temperature Of the water seemed per
feet. He induIged IN all the fancy
strokes ne knew. FIe climbed up on the
bank again and began 20 dive toward
a bottom that he could not reach.
He swan up close 10 the waterfall
after a while Through the shimmering
sheet ne could see that a cavern lay
hidden behind it. A chiId-Hkc desire for.
exploring half mystery led him to dive
under the fall.
He came Up through the mass Of
sparkling bubbles ard found himself ia
a veritabIe Neptune's bower. Sitting on
q projecting rock. he watched the un-
ceasing play Of light where the sun
shone through the cascade and let his
fancy turn the flashes Of rainbow and
shadow lnto dryads and nymphs.
How long he remained he did not
know or care. At last a slight shiver
told him it was time to end his watery