The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-08-01

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any personal applfcation 10 herse,s IN
them, and yet M come 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. s
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 ny for the
mountain trout which flied 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
leafning and preparation. days Of mis-.
hap and misadyentnre, OF joyous
laughter over blanders Ia getting set.
tied, or learning theymysteries or rod
and line, or becoming hardened and
scclimated. 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. Theyahad huge fires
and plenty OF blankets and the colder
It was in the night the better they
slept. ~
1t was an intensely new experience
for the girl from Philadelphia, but she
showed amarked interest and adapt.
ability, and entered with the keenest
zest into all1the opportunities Of the
charming days: She.was good sports.
woman and she soon learned to throw
a fly with the best Of them. Old Kirk.
by took her under his especial pro.
lection and as he was one Of the best
rods in the mountains, she had every
advantage. ;,g,t "a. {
She had always lived in the midst
Of life. Except in the privacy OF her
own chamber she had rarely ever
been alone beiore-not twenty feet
from man, she thought whImsically,
but here the charm Of solitude at.
tracted her, she liked to take her rod
and wander of alone. She actually
enjoyed It. ~ i
The main stream that flowed down
the canon was fed by many atfluents
from the mountain sides, and In each
OF them voraclous. 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
q small room, flower decked, ferny
bordered, overshadowed by tall giant
pine trees, the sunlight filtering
through their thin foliage, checkering
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 hardly
invited her to cross to either shore.
Waterfalls laughed unsteady In her
ears, deep still pools tempted her skill
and address,. @
Sometimes leaving rod and basket
by the waterside, she climbed some
particularly steep accliylty OF the
canon wall and stood poised, wind
blown. 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 in
the bright light. with the breeze blow.
ing her golden hair; she looked like
some Morse goddess, blue eyed, ex-
hilirated. triumphant.
She was perfectly formed woman
on the ancient noble lines of Milo
rather than the degenerate softness
OF Medici. She grew stronger Of limb
and fuller Of breath, quicker and
steadier Of eye and hand, cooler OF
nerve. in these demanding, compelling
adventures among the rocks In this
mountain air. She was not a tall
woman, indeed slightly under rather
than over the medium size, but she
was 80 perfectly proportional, she car
ried herself with the fearlessness OF q
young channels. tha.s. she looked taller
than she was. There was not an
ounce Of supsrhuous flesh upon her,
yet she had the grace OF hebe, tho
strength OF Pallas Athene, and the
swiftness OF motion of Atalanta. Had
she but carried bow and spear. had
she worn tuEic. and sandals, she might
have stood for Diana and she would
have had no cause to blush by com.
parfson with the finest model OF
Praxiteles' chisel or the most SPLEEN
did and glowing example OF Appelles'
brush.
Uncle Robert was delighted with
her; his contribution to her western
outfit was q small Winchester. She
displayed astonishing aptitude under
his instructions and soon became won.
derfully proficient with that deadly
weapon and with revolver also.
There was little danger to be appre.
hended In the daytime among the
mountains. the more experienced men
thought. still it was wise for the girl
always to have weapon in readiness,
so In her iOurneyinPS either tho Win