Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-04

cause for alarm-but Il was no doubt
startling to come face TO face with
such a wild creature he said, talking
rather volubly to enable her TO recover
herself. How is it that you are alone
end SO far from the settlement? Are
you not afraidg' asked Roderick Gu
riousiy.
Indeed, no." she sold in a surprised
tone. Il know every inch OF these
woods. but l don't know all the deni-
zens thereof. Now l can add another
to my acquaintance" She smiled in
such a friendly way that ROderick
took the compliment TO himself.
Thank you" he said courteously.
81 am proud to be received by the LADY
Of the forest"
she blushed beautifully and bit the
red curve Of her lip thOughtfully. Real
" 1t seems such a rude thing to say.
but I didn't mean you, sir ] meant
the deer vas a new acquaintance
Roderick Redeemed as re laughed at
his own confusion. Serves me right"
he said emphatically. for being such
a conceited jackanepes. II can be OF
no further service TO you 1 may as
well get along after Ellis"
"Oh. do you know Mr.. EilisT' she
asked. lis he hereY'
He's staying in Anjou for the hunt
ing. I'm with him. My names Wake
Iy-Roderick Wakely"
Then you're the painter. Mr.. Ellis
has often mentioned your name 10 us.
He always comes over % the lodge TO
q no n
away back here. Tell Mr.. Ellis we
shall be glad 10 see him and his friend
too" She smiled back over her shout
der and disappeared. while ROderick
whirled about and tTamped back TO
the cabin. forgetting everything save
the fact that at last the great picture
was at hand.
After that the weeks few rapidly
while Rodireck worked on his picture.
/ tramped the woods hoping for
glimpse Of Katherine behring's red
| cloak or Joined Ellis in his trips after
| brown bear and deer. Many evenings
| they speut at the lodge with Colonel
/ Deering and his daughter while the
/ great fire blazed on the hearth and
| threw pickering shadows over their
4 faces
| As the spring came on Roderlck's
enga gement TO Edith Penlow seemed
| to fade into dull background that he
! had called life-before he had met
| Katharine Dpering and fallen in love
| with her sweetness and shy simplicity.
/ Edith's letters had grown fewer TN
! til they ceased altogether. Then one
morning there came a letter that fell
1 into his life like a bOmbshell of un-
/ pIeasantness.
| II am tired Of New York" she wrote
rather petulantly. 80 II you are ready
/ to go to Paris I shall prepare 70 be
married in June. Aunt Bee has given
up the trip for this year"
Ia his perplexlty Roderick laid the
case before Dick Ellis. The latter
gnawed his pipestem savagely and
looked at Roderick through narrowed
! lids.
you're all over IT, eh, Rod?" he
| asked bluntly.
I'm ashamed to say am" nodded
| the other. Il didn't know 1 was such
a cad"
/ you're not, only neither Of you is in
/ love with the other. OF course it's
Edith Penlow." His voice lowered.
Yes"
"She doesn't care a rap for you
never didi She's in love with me.
/ Fact! No, I'm not conceited, old man.
/ It happens | know it. only-only It
/ was too late. You see. l love her, too,
/ but when asked her she had prom
/ lsed you. What time does the express
! leave the Junction." he asked sudden
/ ~, springinG 10 his Feet.
'.Three-ten this afternoon"
Then I'm Off. Have Rush send my
| traps down. Wish you luck, Rod. You
needn't wish me any. I know III win
out"
Roderick whistled softly as he care
fully wrapped his finished picture and
tucked it under his arm. The Great
Adventure" it was called. this meet
ing Of the timid girl and the fright
ened deer. and as he went through the
woods toward Colonel behring's camp
he was conscious that he was setting
forth upon the greatest adventure OF
his life When he saw Katharine
corning through the cathedral aisles OF
the forest toward him one glimpse Of
her face cnused him 10 drop the great
picture IN the snow and take her IN
hts arms