The Colorado statesman., 1911-04-01
!.+atFFFFF+FFFTFFw OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Jean Dearing and the Nymph
BY S. B. HACKLEY


and many ducats. left her aunt to
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 l am sure we shall have her
strong and well some day"
She longed to comfort the old man
who watched her with silent adora-
ton in his glance. Jean had brought
great surgeon to see Polly. He
had ordered specially devised
jacket for the child and held out
faint hope OF her ultimate recovery.
II 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 blinked rapidly for
moment. then she answered laughing
ly, II may hold you to that some day,
Dave" She turned down the rough
path to, the riverside. Seating her
self in pine-strewn hollow, she
leaned luxuriously against cleft
tree trunk and gave herself up to
dreamy retrospection.
The descending sun sent crimson
pathway over the ripples to her very
feet, while tiny fecks of flame wav-
cred 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 a canoe stealing ST.
lently into view around curve.
"Hullo there, Miss Wood-nymph." he
sang out. cheerily. without much
ceremony "WiTl you tell me II l am
within reach of a simple repast? I've
been out since morning-my lunch
slipped overheard. unfortunately, and
oh-for a 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 countenance. 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 Jovel she is dumb! What a
beastly shame!" calculated Roy Kill
marten. Can you hear?" he queried.
anxiously, as he pointed vigorously
toward his ears.
Jean nodded and let her farfamed
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
this morning. l padded around
through some islands. and guess
lost my way all right"
Jeans thought flew swiftly. She
would play her little game through
She knew that she. could count on
Dave Ortons 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? Is 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:
81 am going to get the young mans
simmer and II he thinks / 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
lean beckoned to him he responded
with alacrity.
Jean had spread a clean towel on
one end of the table and. with cheeks
the hue of 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 a
bachelor uncle, SO his knowledge of
women was somewhat limited and
Jean. in her imported linen gown.
was simply girl in white to him.
Roy was possessed OF good in
come. refined tastes and high ideals,
but he found himself strangely at
tracted 70 this pretty wood-nymph.
Her very walk charmed him. 1t was
like the swift. silent pace of pam