Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-08-26
CHAPTER W.
In Which Dan Cupid Trospassos.

In Which Dan Cupid Trespasses.
IT ADY BAZELHURsT was right
I'LL Penelope was making her way
HI through the blnckest of nights
- toward the home Of Randolph
Shaw. In deciding upon this step, aft-
er long delberation, she had said to
herself: Randolph Shaw is the only
real man I've seen since coming to the
mountains. can trust him to help me
tonight"
1t was fully three miles to Shaw's
place, most Of the way over the mar
row valley road. She knew she would
encounter but few tortuous places.
The last half mile, however. was steep,
rugged and unfamiliar to her. She had
ventured no nearer to his homo than
Renwood's deserted cottage lying
above and to the south Of tho road, al
most at the base Of the long hill on
whose side Shaw had built his big
home. To climb that hill was no easy
task In daylight; at midnight, with the
stars obscured by clouds and treetops,
there was something perllously uncer.
tain In the prospect.
Only the knowledge that patience
and courage eventually would bring
her to the end made the Journey pos
sible. Time would lead her to the
haven; care would make the road a
frlend a stout heart was her best ally.
Strength Of limb and strength Of pur-
pose she had, In use and in reserve
No power could have made her turn
back willingly Her anxious eyes
were set ahead in the blackness. Her
runaway feet were eager In obedience
to her will.
why couldn't ! have put 1t off until
morningT she was saying to herself
as she passed down the grayeled drive
and advanced TO meet the wall OF
trees that frowned backly In her face.
what win he think? What win he
say? Oh, he'll think I'm such silly.
romantic fool! No, he won't He'll
understand. He'll help me on to
Plattsburg tomorrow. But will he
think I've done this for effect7 Won't
he think I'm actually throwing my
self at his head? No. ! can't turn
back I'd rather die than 90 back to
that house. 1t won't matter what he
thinks. III be away from all Of It to-
morrow. ri be out Of bis life, and
won't care what he thinks. England
3oodness What's thatT She had
turned bend IN the drive, and just
ahead there was light A sigh OF re-
lief followed the question. It came
from the lantern which hung TO
stake In the road where the new stone
gate posts were being built by work
men from town. Bazelhurst villa was
quarter Of mile, through the park.
behind her; the forest was ahead.
At the gate she stopped between the
half finished stone posts and looked
ahead with the frst shlyer OF dlsmay.
Her limbs seemed ready to collapse.
The flush OF anger and excitement left
her fuce. A white. desolate look came
In Its stead Her eyes grew wide, and
she bllnked her lashes with an awed
uncertainty that BODIED III for the Sta
bllty Of her adventure. An owl hoot-
ed in mournfu cadence close by, and
she felt her hair was going stralght on
end. The tense fingers Of one hand
gripped the handle of the travelling
bag. while the other went spasmod-
lcally to her heart.
"ohF' she gasped. moving over quick
ly to the stake on which the lantern
hung. The wind was rushing through
the treetops with increased feryor, the
air was cool and wet with the signs OF
rain. n swirl Of dust dew up into her
face the swish of leaves sounded like
Continued ON paaA az