The Mena weekly star., 1912-04-04
CHAPTER W.

The Pool and the Water Sprlte.
 Long after the others in the cam, had sunk into the profound slumbei of weary bodies and good consciences, a solitary candle in the small tent oc. cupied by Enid Maitland alone gave evidence that she was busy over tina letters which Kirkby had handed ta her.
 It was very thoughtful girl in. deed who confronted the old frontiers. man the next morning. At the first convenient opportunity when they were alone together she handed him the packet of letters.
 Have you read 'em?" he asked.
 Yes"
 Wall. you keep 'em." said the old man gravely. "Mebbe you'll want to read 'em agin."
 But I don't understand why you want me to have them"
 Wall. I'm not quite sure myself why, but leastways I do an"
 T shall be very glad to keep them,'' ? said the girl still more gravely, slip
 
 her hunting shirt as she spoke.
 The packet was not bulky. the let ters were not many nor were they of any great length. She could easily carry them on her person and in some strange and unexplicabe way she was rather glad to have them. She could not, as she had said, see any personal application to herself in them, and yet in some way she did feel that the solution of the mystery would be hers some day. Especially did she think this on account of the strange but quiet open emphasis of the old hunter.
 There was much to do about the camp in the morning. Horses and burros to be looked after, fire wood to be cut. plans for the day arranged, excursions laid out. mountain climbs projected. Later on unwonted hands must be taught to cast the fly for the mountain trout which filled the brook and pool, and all the varied duties. de- tails and fascinating possibilities of camp life must be explained to the newcomers.
 The first few days were days of learning and preparation. days of mis- hap and misadventure. of joyous laughter over blunders in getting set tied, or learning the mysteries of rod and line, or becoming hardened and acclimated. The weather proved per feet; it was late October and the nights were very cold, but there was no rain and the bright sunny days were invigorating and exhilarating to the last degree. They had hugeNfires and plenty of blankets and the colder 1t was in the night the better they slept
 It was an intensely new experience for the girl from Philadelphia. but she showed marked interest and adapt ability. and entered with the keenest zest into all the opportunities of the charming days. She was a good sports woman and she soon learned to throw fly with the best of them. Old Kirk by took her under his especial pro rods in the mountains. she had every advantage
 She had always lived in the midst of life. Except in the privacy of her own chamber she had rarely ever been alone before-not twenty feet from a man. she thought whimsically. but here the charm of solitude at tracted her. she liked to take her rod and wander off alone. She actually enjoyed it.
 The main stream that flowed down the canon was fed by many afiluents from the mountain sides, and in each of them voracious trout appeared. She explored them as she had opportunity, sometimes with the others, but more often by herself. She discovered charming and exquisite hooks. little stretches of grass. the size perhaps of a small room. flower decked. farny bordered. overshadowed by tall giant pine trees, the sunlight Altering through their thin foliage. checkerfng the verdant carpet beneath Huge moss covered boulders, wet with the everlasting spray of the roaring brooks, lay in midstream and with other natural stepping stones hardby invited her to cross to either shore Waterfalls laughed musicaliy in hef ears, deep still pools tempted her skill and address.
 Sometimes leaving rod and basket by the waterside, she climbed some particularly steep acclivity Of the canon wall and stood poised. wind blown. a nymph Of the woods. upon some pinnacle Of rock rising needle like at the canon's edge above the sea of verdure which the wind waved to and fro beneath her feet. There ir the bright light. with the breeze blow ing her golden hair. she looked like some Morse goddess. blue eyed, ex hilirated. triumphant
 She was a perfectly formed woman on the ancient noble lines of Milo rather than the degenerate softness of Medici She grew stronger of limt and fuller of breath. quicker and steadier Of eye and hand. cooler oi nerve. in these demanding. compelling adventures among the rocks in this mountain air. She was not tai woman. indeed slightly under rathel than over the medium size. but sht was 90 perfectly 2roportioned. she car ried herself with the fearlesspees of young chamois. that she looked taiie' than she vas There aaa not af ounce ef superfuoas aesh upon her yes zhe had the grace af hefse. tn'
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