Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-23
CHAPTER ~.

The Pool and the Water Sprlte.
Long after the others in the camp
had sunk into the profound slumber
Of weary bodies and good consciences,
solitary candle in the small tent oc-
cupied by Enid Maitland alone gave
evidence that she was busy over the
letters which Kirkby had handed to
her.
II was a very thoughtful girl in
deed who confronted the old frontiers
man the next morning. At the first
convenient opportunity when they
were alone together she handed him
the packet OF letters.
Have you read emf" he asked.
YES"
wall, you keep en-" said the old
man gravely. "Mebbe you'll want to
read EN- aEin."
But l don't understand why you
want me to have them"
Wall, I'm not quite sure myself
why, but leastways | do an"
Il shall be very glad TO keep them
said the girl still more gravely, slip
ping them into one Of the pockets Of
The packet was not bulky. the let
tiers were not many nor were they of
any great length. She could easily
carry them on her person and IN
some strange and unexplicable way
she was rather glad to have them
She could not, rs she had said, see
any personal application 10 herself in
them, and yet in some 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.
There was much 70 do about the
camp in the morning. Horses and
burros TO be looked after. Ere 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 fly for the
mountain trout which filled the brook
md 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
learning and preparation. days Of mis-
hap aad mlsadventure, OF joyous
laughter over blunders In getting set.
tied, or learning the mysteries OF rod
and line. or becoming hardened and
acclimated The weather proved per.
feet; IL was late October and the
nights were very cold. but there was
no rain and the bright sunny days
81
the last degree. They had huge fires
and plenty of blankets and the colder
II was in the night the better the!
slept.
II was an intensely new experienced
for the girl from Philadelphia, but sh,
showed marked interest and adapt
ability. and entered with the keenes
zest into all the opportunities OF tn
charming days. She was a good sports
woman and she soon learned to throw
fly with the best of them. Old Kirk
by took her under his especial pre-
lection and as he was one OF the hes
rods in the mountains, she had ever
advantage.
She had always lived in the mids
of life. Except in the privacy OF he
own chamber she had rarely eve
been alone before-not twenty fee
from a man. she thought whimsical.
but here the charm of solitude a
tracted her. she liked to take her 70
and wander of alone. She actual
enjoyed II.
The main stream that flowed dow
the canon was fed by many afiuent
from the mountain sides, and In eaC
of them voracious trout appeared. 81
explored them as she had opportunit
sometimes with the others, but mol
often by herself. She discovere
charming and exquisite hooks, lit
stretches of grass. the size perhaps
a small room. flower decked. ferr
bordered, overshadowed by tall gial
pine trees, the sunlight filteriI
through their thin foliage, checkerir
the verdant carpet beneath. Hui
moss covered boulders, wet with 4
everlasting spray OF the roariI
brooks, lay in midstream and wi
other natural stepping stones hardl
invited her to cross to either shoI
Waterfalls laughed unsteady In b
- ears. deep still pools tempted her SIX
and address.
Sometimes leaving rod and bask
by the waterside. she climbed sor
particularly steep ACTIVITY OF I
canon wall and stood poised, wi
blown, a nymph OF the woods, up
some pinnacle OF rock rising need
like at the canon's edge above I
sea OF verdure which the wind wav
- TO and fro beneath her feet There
the bright light. with the breeze bio
ing her golden hair, she looked Ii
some Morse goddess blue eyed,
hilirated. triumphant
She was a perfectly formed won
on the ancient noble lines of NJ
rather than the degenerate softnt
OF Medici. She grew stronger OF III
and fuller Of breath, quicker a
steadier Of eye and hand, cooler
nerve, in these demanding. compelli
adventures among the rocks IN 4
mountain air. She was not q I
woman, indeed slightly under ratl
than over the medium size. but {
was so perfectly proportioned. she c
ried herself with the fearlessness o
young channels. that she looked tai
than she was. There was not