The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-10-27


At first Miss Grayman did not know
what to reply. the thing was so unex-
pected 1t was really the Mitchells of
Washington, then, who were at the
bottom of this affair, and she wonder
ed that she had not thought Of them
at the very first, for now she recalled
how the two Mitchell girls and their
brother were always engaged in some
practical joke on their friends with a
pleasant ending.
They must have written to her
father, letting him into the secret. and.
knowing his dislike to having her long
out of his sight, she felt sure that he
was one Of the party on the disabled
aero.
"Oh. 60 by all MEANS" she said
I'VE shall get along very well In this
delightful place. provided" she added
archly, "that that bear doesn't come
this way"
"No fear" said Payton, laughing and
secretly rejoicing to see how well ev-
erything played into his hands. Bears
never venture near the lodge. Then
there is Indian John, who Is a dead
shot. to say nothing of Mrs. Williams.
the two chambermaids and the walters.
So you will have a garrison capable Of
withstanding a regular siege by the
BEARS"
As soon as the breakfast was finish
ed Payton took his leave, and the
aero. rising gracefully. foated or over
the trees and disappeared.
Miss Grayman was now filed with
agreeable anticipation. In a few hours
she was sure that she should see her
father.
Miss Grayman felt that she could
paddle the canoe well enough. and ac-
cordingly after they had enjoyed for
an hour the scene from the veranda
she and Susan embarked. Mrs. Will
liams ran down to the landing, offer
ing to take the paddle or to send for
Indian John. but Miss Grayman de-
cllned all assistance.
When they had entered the inlet and
were out of view of the lodge Miss
Grayman turned to the shore, and
they disembarked in a delightful lit
tie cove overhung with pendulous
branches beside an enormous lichen
covered rock which she had noticed
and admired during their former trips.
Here they sat down on the sweet
scented moss and chatted.
I'D like to know where Pettytown
is" said Miss Grayman. II never
heard of the place before. ! suppose
1t is some little backwoods town.
Commodore Brown said he could go
there in an hour and half, and !
suppose that means that it is at least
$50 miles away. We're somewhere in
New York state. I think. and | am
still inclined to believe that it is the
Adirondacks. But what's the use of
guessing? We shall know in few
hours. Let's take stroll. There
seems to be a kind of path here. Per-
haps we shall discover something in
teresting."
"But it might have been made by
the bear" said Susan in alarm.
"Oh. I'm not much afraid Of bears.
Commodore Brown said that they
were not dangerous. Indeed. I'd real
ly like to see one. The bears in the
geological gardens never interested
me. but here it's different-here where
they live. And just think. we may
see a deer! Come on, and don't be
afraid. I'll go ahead"
Suddenly. as they entered little in
tervale where the ground was more
solid. curious noise drew their star
tied eyes to a huge animal which
stood regarding them. Its height
seemed prodigious, and its huge, long
nosed head was crowned with enor-
nous horns. Its eyes glared as 1t
stamped fiercely with its forefoot.
II believe it's a moose" whispered
Miss Grayman. land I've heard that
moose are dangerous"
This one certainly looked dangerous.
and the girls were petrified with fear
as 1t advanced a few steps toward
them. They stood fast simply because
they were unable to move a muscle.
The animal stamped savagely again.
glared at them for moment and then,
apparently changing its mind, turned
and trotted awkwardly away until 1t
had disappeared in the forest.
'Oh, do let's go back" said Susan.
shivering with fright what an aw-
full beastv
But Miss Grayman's courage had re-
turned with the disappearance Of the
danger. and she insisted upon pushing
ahead little farther.
Look! There yonder are some beau
tiful red flowers" she said, ''and !
must have them. Don't you see these
animals are not dangerous. after all?
Come, and well turn back as soon as
I get the flowers"
When they reached the spot tharsshe
had indicated they saw ahead another
comparatively open place, and immedi-
ately Miss Grayman exclaimed: "What
in the world does that mean, I won
der? Somebody has been digging
here? And there's a pickax; at least
that's what think they call It"
She pointed to a spot under a great
hemlock where the ground had been