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

she but carried bow and spear, mad
she worn tunic and sandals, she might
have stood for Diana and she would
have had no cause to blush by com
parison with the finest model OF
Praxiteles' chisel or the most splen-
did and glowing example of Appelles'
brush.
Uncle Robert was delighted with
her; his contribution to her western
outfit was a small Winchester. She
displayed astonishing aptitude under
his instructions and soon became Won
derfully proficient with that deadly
weapon and with a revolver also
There was little danger to be appre-
hended in the daytime among the
mountains, the more experienced men
thought, still 1t was wise for the girl
always to have a weapon in readiness,
so in her journeyings, either the Win
chester was slung from her shoulder
or carried in her hand, or else the Colt
dangled at her hip. At first she took
both, but finally 1t was with reluc-
lance that she could be persuaded to
take either. Nothing had ever hap
pened. Save for few birds now and
then she had seemed the only tenant
of the wilderness of her choice.
One night after a camping expert
ence OF nearly two weeks in the noun
taiGs and just before the time for
breaking up and going back to civil
! ization, she announced that early the
next morning she was going down the
canon for a days fishing excursion.
None Of the party had ever fol-
lowed the little river very FAR, but it
was known that some ten miles below
the stream merged in a lovely gem
, Ike lake in a sort OF crater in the
mountains. From thence by a series
of water falls it descended through
/ the foothills to the distant plains be-
/ yond. The others had arranged to
/ climb one especially dangerous and
ambition provoking peak which tow
/ cred above them and which had never
before been suTmounted SO far as
they knew. Enid enjoyed mountain
climbing. She liked the uplift in feel.
ing that came from going higher and
higher till some crest was gained, but
on this occasion they urged her TO &C
company them in vain.
When the fixity of her decision was
established she had q number of offers
to accompany her, but declined them
all, bidding the others go their way
Mrs. Maitland, who was not feeling
very well, old Kirkby, who had
climbed too many mountains to feel
much interest in that game, and Pete
the horse wrangler. who had to looE
after the stock. remained in camp;
the others with the exception Of EniC
started at daybreak for their long as
cent. She waited until the sun was
about an hour high and then badC
goodbye to the three and began the
descent Of the canon. Travelling light
for she was going far-fartheT. indeed
than she knew-she left her Winches
ter at home. but carried the revolve
with the fishing tackle and substantial
luncheon.
Now the rivera river by courtes.
only-and the canon turned sharpl!
back on themselves just beyond TIT
little meadow where the camp wa
pitched. Past the tents that had beer
I their home for this joyous period tn,
r river ran due east for a few hundre,
r feet, after which it curved sharply
t doubled back and flowed westwarr
: for several miles before it gradual
: swung around to the east on its proI
er course again.
II had bee: Ends purpose to GU
across the hills and strike the rive
q where 1t turned eastward ence more
5 avoiding the long detour back. L
fact, she had declared her intentio
e of doing that to Kirkby and he ha
:, given her careful directions so tina
9 she should not get lost in the mouI
d tains.
o But she had plenty Of time and n
u excuse or reason for saving il, sh
y never tired Of the charm of the canon
IT therefore, instead of plunging directl
g over the spur OF the range. she fo
g lowed the familiar trail and after sh
'e had passed westward far beyond th
10 limits of the camp to the turning, sh
g decided, in accordance with that Ii
n terly irresponsible thing, a woman
y will, that she would not go down tn
E. canon that day after all, but that sh
sr would cross back over the range an
ii strike the river few miles above Ii
camp and go up the canon.
IT She had been up in that direction
lie few times, but only for a short di
lie lance. as the ascent above the can
Id was very sharp, in fact for a lit
N more than q mile the brook was on
e. succession of water fall; the be
he fishing was below the camp and II
ID finest woods were deeper in the cano
In She suddenly concluded that 81
W. would like TO see what was up in tn
ke unexplored section OF the country al
X SO, with scarcely a momentary he!
tation. she abandoned her former plI
IN and began the ascent of the range.
10 Upon decisions so lightly TAXI
SIS what momentous consequences q
lb pend? Whether she should go Up 4
nd stream or down the stream, wheth
OF she should follow the rivulet TO l
ng source or descend 1t TO its mout
IFS was apparently a matter OF little u
all ment, yet her whole life turned alb:
er lutely upon that decision. The Id
be and unconsidered choice Of the no
ar was frought with gravest possibiliti,
a Had that election been made with a
er suspicion, with any foreknowledge, h
an 1t come as the result Of careful n