The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1911-06-30
talk was all about game and 6shing
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tnik was all ABOUT game auO uSuiuB
and Roderick's pictures.
Anjou was quaint enough settle
menf Of little houses. crowded together
ms II for warmth from the wintry
blasts that swept screaming through
the woods. shaking the trees to the
very roots and swapping dead branches
with sound like pistol shots. In the
named Peter Bush. they found lodg-
ings. aud Roderick secured the empty
loft over the kitchen for bis own espe-
cial retreat The stovepipe from the
big heater ran through the loft and
warmed 1t comfortably. but Roderick
loved TO lie near the trapdOor in the
floor and look down into the smoke
wreathed room where Ellis and other
neighboring sportsmen gathered about
the stove and told their stories.
Roderick made several sketches that
might develop into the great picture.
but he felt no especial enthusiasm
about pushing his work forward.
Edith's attitude had somehow set the
machinery of his life out of adjust
lent. He told himself that only she
could make matters right again. Every
mail he watched for letter from her.
hut the letters came rarely and were
lacking in the great essential that he
craved-her assurance that she missed
him In her new life: that she lOnged
for the time when they would no
longer be separated. when the years
probation would be over. But she
never wrote of these things. Her let
ters were mere frothy jottings Of her
gay iife-of her happiness-and care
less word Of affection at the end. some.
times forgotten after all.
One morning he took sketching block
and pencil and went forth on the trail
of Ellis. who had been gone hours be-
fore hot on the track Of brown bear
which had invaded their storehouse
the night before.
Roderick paused to rest on the fallen
trunk of a giant beech when his
startled glance took In q scene that he
never forgot.
Beyond him In small clearing car
peted with soft drift Of newly fallen
snow there stood girl and deer.
quite unconscious Of his presence. It
was evident that each had emerged
from the woods on opposite sides of
the clearing and were now poised in
startled contemplation of each other.
The girl. small and slender and
graceful. wore a long red cape that
enveloped her like the cloak Of Little
Red Riding Hood of nursery tales. and
over her fair hair was drawn a red
hood. framing the pale oval of her
lovely young face. out of which shone
eyes as shy and brown as those of the
deer. which stood in an attitude Of pitt
able fright.
So they stood for a whole minute
while Roderick transferred their heads
to his block with quick. sure strokes Of
his crayon. Then he thrust both in
his pocket and made a. sharp sound
with his lips. Instantly the animal
. turned about and ieaped into the forest
from whence It had come. while the
girl leaned against tree. one little
hand against her palpitating bosom.
staring at Roderick.
you were frightened-there was no
, cause for alarm-but 1t was no doubt
startling to come face to face with
such wild creature" he said. talking
rather volubly to enable her to recover
herself. How is 1t that you are alone
and SO far from the settlement? Are
you not afraid?" asked Roderfck Gu
riOusly.
Indeed. no." she said In q surprised
tone. II know every inch Of these
woods, but don't know all the deni-
zens thereof Now l can add another
to my acquaintance" She smiled In
such friendly way that Roderick
took the compliment to himself.
''Thank you." he said courteously.
II am proud to be received by the lady
Of the Forest"
She blushed beautifully and bit the
red curve of her lip thoughtfully. Real
" It seems such rude thing to say.
but didn't mean you. sir. meant
the deer was new acquaintance"
Roderick Redeemed as he laughed at
bis own confusion. Serves me right"
he said emphatically. "for being such
a cOnceited jackanapes. If can be Of
no further service to you l may as
well get along after Ellis"
"Oh. do you know Mr.. Ellis" she
asked. us he herer'
Hes staying In Anjou for the hunt
Ing. I'm with him. My names Wake
ly-Roderick Wakely."
'Then you're the painter Mr.. Ellis
has often mentioned your name to US.
He always comes over to the lodge to
see father and me. We have a camp
away back here. Tell Mr.. Ellis we
shall be glad to see him and his friend
too" She smiled back over her shout
der and disappeared. while Roderick
whirled about and tramped back to
the cabin. forgetting everything save
the fact that at last the great picture
was at hand.
After that the weeks Jew rapidly
while Rodireck worked on his picture,
tramped the woods hoping for a
glimpse Of Katherine behring's red
cloak or Joined Ellis in his trips after
brown bear and deer. Many evenings
they spent at the lodge with Colonel