Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-08
NELLY OF THE
SLUICE GATE

TO his servant as he put away his
solitaire board do YOU know ! have
come 90 the conclusion that I have
made an ass Of myself"
Yes. sir" Talbot answered respect
fully when, sir?"
An the time I've been in New
York" Lord Jocelyn answered Here
I've been wasting my opportunities,
falling into love and falling out again,
and. in general, living the nfe Of a
ioafer and an idler. Talbot, I'm sick Of
myself ! want 70 go somewhere
where / can forget myself for awhile
and see new people"
Which wo Id recommend, sir.
that you try the Hadirondacks." said
Talbot They was recommended by
q friend Of mine"
Il don't want medicine, Talbot"
Begging your pardon, sir, that
ha!nt what you might call medicine
hexactly. sir, they're a place up north
where the rich folks goes for uniting"
The very thing need" Lord Joce-
lyu answered. Find out where they
are and buy me a ticket. Talbot"
"Peraps you might Ike TO look in
the haflas, sir said his servant.
(which there is one in some OF those
RAILWAY folders ! bought sir. when you
was going 10 Craigs Peak"
Go and get it, Talbot" said his
master.
TL" servant disappeared and pres
emily came back bringing a number Of
folder. and after searching among
them for some minutes. he found and
opened an imposing map OF New York
state Lord JoceIyu took II and placed
!, upon his reading table, scrutinizing
it carefully.
81 bad no idea that New York state
was such big place Talbot" he said.
at must be as large as Middlesex.'
eyes. sir. hndeed ii must"
"Now. here's beautiful little lake
Moose lake. There ought 20 be some
hing there. Ike the shape OF this
lake, Talbot I'll take ticket to IT,"
THAT was how Jocelyn went to
Moose Lake alone. After a night in
4 sleeping car he awoEe one morning
10 Grf his car detached upon the sid
In u. tiny station In the heart OF a
Ir.w.ryo wilderness. He gathered his
BAGGAGE together and descended TO the
platform, whore he looked around in
vain for any trace Of a conveyance.
You're for the sluice gate. mister"
asked the station agent. coming out
of bis house and regarding Jocelyn
Curi0usly.
Now YOU mention It. believe
am" said JoColyu. What sort OF
accommodation do they furnish there
The station agent grinued Il guess
Pil Far,aud can FIX you for a few
days" he answered. But II you amt
written him you'll be apt &c find only
trHppers' fare That girl Of his can
cook, though"
He has a good servant. eh?" asked
Jocelyn
Servant" repeated the station
agent, laughing and Shaping his leg
not much OF &c. Nel.y's his daugh
ter, and fne girl. They'll % the right
thing by you. mister. and you'll find
Joe Porter the best guide in Oneida
county"
Who's Joe Porter"
"Jog's his hand. II takes two mer
20 manage that sluice now they're
drawing Of the Moose lake water e
store behind the dam down the valley
Take that road mister. for six miles
straight as You can hike and you'll
SEQ the slu.ce right before you"
locc,yD looked down az his baggage
i reckon / can send them on bl
nightfau." said the agent My carts
out this morning taking stone to tn,
dam tn be back by noon and II
send your grips right over"
The journey was a pleasant one anC
Jocelyu. breathing in the fresh air
tiuged with the odors OF FIR and bal
sam. felt Ike one transformed AS h,
STROBE on, whistiug from sheer hapui
ness az the transition from bis stitinj
apartment on Madison avenue. he men
tally resolved that. whatever forum,
might have in store for him. neve
again would he prove susceptible 4
feminine wiles. Here IN these profoun,
solitudes he would attuue himself L
"a new mood Life should be NOR
than gh.landering for him thencefor
ward.
The sun was st!ll low In the easter
sky when he reached the sluice gate
Biil Fariaud s cabin stood perche
upon a small knoll almost overhaugin
the lake, " 'ch now roared throug
the opened gate and plunged dow
into The valley beneath.
The guardian OF the gates came foi
ward, seeing stranger. and whe
Jocelyu explained the purpose Of hi
visit, greeted him warmly.
Come up for the fshlng?" he askeC
Erasp.ur his hand Sure. l guess "
can fN you up all right. I'd guide 70
myself. but I've been feeling kind q
out OF sorts the last few days-gues
is = touch Of fever But Joe know
where the trout lays and he's the hes
glide in these parts. Come inside
mister"
In this way Jocelyns holiday begal
AS a guide Joe Porter proved TO B
all that had been predicted sta
wart countrymsn. quiet. uncommun
cative, be showed Jocelyn many a Do,
and stream where monster fish Ia
lurking, and each day. as Jocely
STROBE at his side or followed hi,
along The forest trails. be felt u