The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-08-31
AS seen UNDER A
TARN|SHED MOON
Neither Water Sprlte Nor
Spirit of Lake.
By KATHERINE HoPsoN.

Spirit Of Lake.
BY KATHERINE HoPeoN.
Whom Kenneth Maldon, tennis
garbed and carrying . racket. passed
down the sandy. rine.bordered road
leading from sandoon hotel to the
tents court, he saw. instead Of the ath-
letic figure of Jean McNarth. who had
agreed to join him there in a game, q
sunny-heired. orsandy-clad vision seat
cd on the bench in an attitude of
strained expectancy.
At his approach she rose and began
to spell rapidly ON her fingers and to
motion across the lake.
Deaf and dumb" he calculated,
and mentally called down maledictions
on the faculty for not including the
mute alphabet in his college course.
Where are your friends? May I
not see you to the hotel?" he began
oonfusedly, and motioned in that d.
rection.
Her blue eyes watched his hands,
and she shook her head. again point
ing toward the lake.
He motioned inquiringly In the d.
rection of Glen Echo, = small summer
resort on the opposite shore. She
nodded a relieved smile breaking over
her face.
If could only find out who she
Is. and why she happens to be here
alone!" he exclaimed. and vainly
searched his pockets for pencil and
paper. "Of course those articles are
missing when l most need them.
Well. anyway, It's evident she wants
to go across the lake.
| BY the waters edge was tied q
small rowboat, and he led the way
thtther, pointed toward 1t, then again
motioned questioningly toward Glen
Echo. She nodded. SO he helped her
into the boat, united it, took the oars.
and they started in that direction.
The boat was supplied with cush-
ions, and she leaned back like a con.
flding child. Though hatless. she car
ried pale green parasol which
brought out the exquisite shell tint Of
her cheeks. Occasionally she glanced
up with smile, but for the most part
kept her blue gaze downcast and
watched the water, as she trailed one
little hand among the lily pads.
After Maldon had guided the boat
into the current, he put down the
oars, rested against the cushions. and
took out his ripe which he held up in
quiringly. Sc shook her head, so he
lighted it. and watched her through
the smoke.
II don't care to stare her out of
countenance just because she cannot
speak or hear. but the temptation 10
great" he breathed. Perhaps her
fluffy femininity made stronger ap.
+ peal because of the fact that khaki
and camping outfits were the rule
among the girls at the mountain re-
sort where he was spending his vaca-
ton.
Such loneliness. and such an at.
fliction!" he said. Every once in
awhile, forgetful of the fact that she
could not hear. Maldon broke out
with remark; but she paid no heed.
unless she happened to be glancins
that way, then she would give q
brave, pathetic little smile.
Dropping, silver-leaved poplars bent
over the waters edge, and the two
seemed alone together ON the heart
of the lake. Over all was that peculiar
silence, which, in lonely places. pre-
cedes the sunset.
All too soon for Maldon. they
gained the opposite shore, and re-
gretfully he helped her to alight. He
started to lead the way in the direc
ton of the settlement of Glen Echo
but she shook her head and started
down a winding path leading among
the pines. When she had gone sew
eral rods she paused, and, standing
on tiptoes with a butterfly motion
placed one hand on his arm, the
other against his broad chest, anc
touched his forehead with a soft, light
kiss Then she gathered up her fluf
fy skirts and ran like some wild crea
ture Of the forest, and disappeared
among the trees before the surprised
man realized what had happened. In
moment he plunged after her, but
! all his eager, earnest search PROVED
fruitless. The girl seemed gone from
the face of the earth. Forgetful tina,
she could not hear, he called and i'm
plored her to come back. Until dark
ness fell he searched, then retracet
his steps back to Glen Echo, but moth
ing had been seen or heard of a cir
who answered his description, and hi
was obliged to recross the lake will
the mystery unsolved
Next day he returned. and for sew
, eral succeeding days he made him
self a nuisance with his attempts tt
find some trace of her. With F.
young mans usual fear of ridicule
he said not word about 1t to tn,
other boarders at the hotel where b.
was staying Jean McNarth, a life
; long chum, alone was taken into hi
confidence.
: Though sympathetic and interested
to a satisfying degree, she could offe