Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1911-07-20
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Carstair's Friend
By LOUISE r1ERRIFIELD
By LOUISE r1ERRIFIELD

French Canadian shack half a mile
from the lodge They repaired every
possible thing on the place that could
be repaired. And above all, they rode,
fished, walked and loafed with the
three Kenyon girls. Two were sis
ters, Madeline and Lois. but it was
their cousin both Carstairs and Street
loved. the girl under the peaked hat
Dolly Kenyon. And comradely, each
waited for the other.
you take first chance. Rolly." Car
stairs would say. You've got the
right OF way anyhow? Aren't you my
guest? If circumstances we're differ
ent, / could choke you and throw you
to the fishes for bait, but. hang it all.
I'm your host Why don't you ask
her, and get the agony over with ?"
You don't do that to a friend,
Stacey" smiled back Street. Go
ahead, and let the best man win, say
l. I'm willing to take the chance
It's just fate's pure cussedness any
how. We always did have the same
taste in life, old boy"
I'D die for her." groaned Carstairs.
dropping his eye glass out of sheer
helpless nerve tension
Il know. Street looked up at the
clear night sky. and grinned I'D live
for her"
It was the next week it happened.
From the porch of the lodge the girls
could look over the lake, and they saw
the whole affair. The two had been
out all the morning fishing in a light
rowboat. Street was seated, Carstairs
standing easily at the stern, when he
seemed to lose his balance. At Lois
cry Dolly was on her feet instantly.
She saw Carstairs fall backwards
into the lake, and we'll did she know
the depth, and treacherous under
growth beneath the calm dark waters.
Madeline started on run down to-
wards the Frenchman's for help.
Lois half slipped to the floor in
dead faint. and still the other girl
stood motionless and shocked watch
ing the boat. watching Street as he
took the dive after his friend. Then
she too ran, but not after Madeline.
Down at the shore was her own boat.
a stocky, well built one, and she sent
1t out towards the other that fioated
empty on the water. It seemed as
though her heart were choking her,
that length Of time when she waited
for them to rise again, wondering II
they would ever rise, II they might
not be entangled at some awful depth
in that stlll. dark lake that told no
secrets.
And she leaned out over the side of
the boat and called. called the name
that was in her thoughts always these
days
Roland. Roland, / am herel"
It was the first thing Carstairs
heard when he came up, clutching
Streets shoulder. but he had nerve,
this slim. English chap, and he helped
to put Roland Street into the boat
with her help. and got back himself.
He's only a bit knocked out" he
told her, when he could speak. Il
went down all right, but a snag caught
him on the head. Poor old boy. when
he was trying to save me-"
win he live. are you sure he'll
liver"
Carstairs never forgot her tone or
the look in her eyes, as she took
Streets head on her lap and pushed
back his wet curly hair. It was his
answer.
Sure as that am alive myself. ="
he said, fervently.
She smiled up at him. her eyes full
OF tears.
Il guess you know how--how very
much / care" she faltered.
Il guess l do" answered Carstairs.
IT'S his winning. And he's a splen.
did old boy. Rolly is"
He paused, and attended to his
oars Street had opened his eyes, and
they looked straight up into the girls
Dolly" he began. Il tried to save
him for you"
And be saved you for me" she
broke in. gently. How big. and splen.
did your friendship is, Roland"
The two men looked at each other
To Street there came the knowledge
of what had happened, how when
death threatened both. each had will
lingly risked his life to save the 9TH
er. and even with the wonder and
sweetness Of this other love breaking
over him. he knew the bond that had
held Carstairs true blue to him.
u think III run back TO town to
morrow. old boy" Carstairs remarked
later. after they had changed cloth.
ing. and rested back at the shack
When we both went undertake
called you. You don't mind. do your"
Street put out his hand
Passing the love Of woman" he
said. slowly. NO. I don't mind III
wait up here awhile. until / can bring
her back with me. You understand
Il understand" said Carstairs.
Kills Canal Project.