Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-16
CHAPTER I.

say far, viewing Colorado as point
OF departure, not as Identifying her
with the orient. The classic shades
OF Bryn MGwr had been the Groves
OF Academus where with old Plato
she had walked" Incidentally during
her completion Of the exhaustive cur
riculum OF that Justly famous institu-
ton she had acquired at least bow
ing acquaintance with other masters
OF the mind.
Nor had the physical In her educa-
ton been sacrificed TO the mental. In
her at least the mems sana and the
corpore sano we're alike in evidence.
She had ridden TO hounds many times
on the anise-scented trail OF the West
Chester Hunt! Exciting tennis and
leisurely golf had engaged her atten-
ton on the courts and greens of the I
Merton Cricket club. She had buneted ,
"Old Oceans gray and melancholy /
waste" on the beach at Cape May and |
at Atlantic City.
Spiritually she was q devoted mem |
Der OF the Episcopal church. OF the 1
variety that abhors the word "Protes- !
ant in connection Herewith. Alto !
gether she reflected great credit upon
her pastors and masters spiritual and
temporal and her up-bringing in the
three departments OF life left little to
be desired.
Upon her graduation she had been
at once received and acclaimed by the
Assembly Set" OF Philadelphia. to
which indeed she belonged uDques-
toned by right of birth and position
and there was no other power under
heaven by which she could have ef-
fected entrance therein, at least
that Is what the outs thought
of that most exclusive circle. The
old home OF the Maitlands over
looking Rittenhouse Square had
been the scene OF her debut. In
all the reGned and deccrous gaities OF
Philadelphia's ultra-fastidious society
she had participated. She had even
looked upon money standardized New
York in it's delirium OF extravaganza.
at least in so far as a sedate and we'll
born Philadelphia family could coun-
tenance such golden madness. During
the year she had ranged like a con-
querer--pardon the masculine appella-
ton-betweeu Palm Beach in the
south and Bar Harbor In the north
Philadelphia was proud OF her, and
she was not unknown in those I'M
fortunate parts OF the United States
which lay without
In all this she had remained a frank,
free, unspoiled young woman. Life
was full OF zest for her. and she en-
joyed 81 with the most un-Pennsylva-
MAN enthusiasm.
The second summer after her COM
ing out found her in Colorado. Robert
Maitland was one OF the big men OF
the west. He had departed from Phil
Rdelphia at an early age and had set
tied in Colorado while It was still in
the formative period. There he had
grown up with the state. The Phil.
adelphis Msitlands could never under.
stand n or explain IT, Bob Maitland
must have been. they argued. a rever.
sion TO an ancient type. a throwback
90 some ToSseF baron long sntecedent
90 william Penn. And the speculation
was true. The blood OF some lawless
Gdventurer OF the past. discreetly for
got by the conservative section OF the
family. dubbed in his veins unchecked
by the repressive atmosphere OF hi:
home and immediate environment
He had thoroughly identified him
self With his new surroundings anc
had plunged into all the activities Of
the west. During one period OF hi:
life he had actually served as sheriff
OF one OF the border counties, and 4
was a rapid bad man" indeed, whC
enjoyed any advantage over him wher
e came 10 drawing HIS gun" Hi
skill aud daring had been unques
toned, he had made name for him
self which still abides. especially II
the mountains where things yet re
NAMED almost as primitive as the,
had been from the beginning.
His fame had been accompanied b.
fortune, too: the cattle upon a thou
sand hills were bis. the treasures Q
mines of fabulous richness were q
his command. He lived in Denver s.
one Of the greatest Of the bonanz
palaces on the hills OF that city. col
fronting the snow-capped mountai
range For the rest he held stock 1
all sorts OF corporations. was a d
rector in numerous concerns and S
on-ths reader can supply the usut
catalogue. they are all alike. He ha
married late in life and was the fathe
OF two little girls ard a boy. the oil,
est sixteen and the youngest ten.
Going east, which he did not low
on an infreQuent business trip.
had renewed his acquaintance wit
his brother and the one eve lamb {
his brothers fCck. to-wit. the afor
mentioned Enid. He had been struc
% everybody was. 10y the splend
personality OF the girl and had strive
earnestly TO disabuse her mind of Il
preva.s NJ idea that there was nothir
much ECrth while on the continel
beyond the Allegheny except scener
"Nha. you need, Enid, is a ri'
across the plains, sight OF real mou
tcirs beside which these little foC
hiiis IN Pennsylvania that people ba'
here rake so much OF wouldn't
noticed. You want 10 get some Of q
spirited, glorious freedom OF the We
into your conservative s;raight-lac
Htue body"