The Southern herald., 1911-04-21

ana many ducats. LEFT her aunt 70 a
desired nap and slipped away into
the dense woods back Of the hotel
where little hunchbacked Polly lived
with her grandfather.
Jean placed the child In her cot as
she said. Polly seems better today.
and ! an sure We shah have her
strong and well some DAY"
She longed 10 comfort the old nan
who watched her with silent a6ora-
ton In his glance. Jean had brought
a great surgeon TO see Polly He
had ordered a specially devised
Jacket for the child and held out
faint hope OF her ultimate recovery
I will come again tomorrow II pos.
sible. said Jean
oh My lady" the mans tones
were husky With emotion. IF ever my
life can help you. It is yours for the
asking. Remember Dave Orton."
Jeans eyes bhnked rapidly for a
moment. then she answered laughing
". i may hold you to that some day.
Dave" She turned down the rough
path to the riverside Seating her
self In a pine-strewn hollow. she
leaned luxuriously against a cleft
tree trunk and gave herself up to
dreamy retrospection
The descending sun sent a crimson
pathway over the ripples to her very
feet while tiny hecks OF flame wav.
erred over her white gown. bringing
out the red-gold tints OF her beautiful
hair.
"A Veritable wood-nymph The gods
have sure been good to thee" quoted
the occupant OF canoe stealing ST.
lently into view around a curve.
"Hullo there Miss Wood.nymph." he
sang out, eheerily. without much
ceremony. "Will YOU tell me If | am
within reach Of a simple repast? I've
been out since morning lunch
slipped overheard, unfortunately. and
oh--for good fat steak" he ended
With a whimsical twist Of his fea.
lures.
Jeans FIRST feeling was indignation
at the young mans manner Of ad-
dress, but, one look into the clear
eyed boyish eountenance. as he
pulled the canoe up at her feet, al.
tered her Impulse to put him in his
place
At this point an imp of mischief
took possession OF Jean. Why. she
never could tell. but. for answer, she
placed one finger on her lips and
shook her head.
by Jove! she is dumb. What a
beastly shsme!' calculated Roy XII
marten. Can you hear?" he queried.
anxiously. as he pointed vigorously
toward his ears.
Jean nodded and let her far-famed
dimple slip into view at his obvious
sigh OF relief
Then the inner man became clamor.
Gus again. DO you live round here?
Could get something to eat any.
where? ! am half starved, to tell the
truth. am stopping at Ridges Point
for my vacation. and | left there at
6 this morning. padded around
through some islands. and | guess
lost my wav all right"
Jeans thought few swiftly. She
would play her little game through.
She knew that she could count on
Dave Orton's fidelity, and she would
be the wood-nymph the young man
believed her.
With 1.-THE grace she sprang to her
feet and beckoned the stranger to
her as she led the way to the hut.
Roy never forgot the picture the
girl made as she swayed lightly up
the path before him.
Arriving at the clearing Jean
pointed seriously at a big smooth
stump.
"You want me to wait while you
reconnoiter? l. that IT." questioned
Roy.
Jean smiled acquiescence and pass.
ed into the hut, and, as she explained
matters to Dave in whispered tones,
she added with a twinkle:
Il am going to get the young mans
supper and If he thinks l am your
daughter-so much the better"
The old man nodded comprehend
ingly and soon the aroma of bacon
and eggs was waited out to the pa
tient waiter on the stump. When
Jean beckoned to him he responded
with alacrity.
Jean had spread clean towel on
one end OF the table and, With cheeks
the hue Of a pink, she waited on the
young man deftly. AS she gave him
his third cup Of tea, tea that she her
self had brought to Dave. Roy sighed
with satisfaction.
"That is great tea, Miss Wood
nymph, and you certainly can cook
bacon"
Roy had been brought up by
bachelor uncle, so his knowledge Of
women was somewhat limited and
Jean, in her imported linen gown,
was simply a girl in white to him.
Roy was possessed Of a good in
come, refined tastes and high ideals,
but he found himself strangely at
tracted to this pretty wood-nymph.
Her very walk charmed him. 1t was