Las Vegas optic., 1913-09-11


resplendent in its coat Of red Vivian
came out to look at it, and she was
radiant.
ITS so dear Of you, Mr Carteret,
to hurry it for me, she said I'll
pay for it tomorrow, and for your
time
Carteret's response was very feryid.
lie wanted no pay for this work Of
love. He adored her He was her
Wiling slave.
Are you really?" she mused. Then
wait for me down at the bend of the
river tomorrow at sunset just where
the rapids end"
The following morning four
strangers arrived at Indian Neck, They
we're men, with certain curious arti-
eles Of baggage, and they hired the
corner suite Of the hotel, and mixed
not with the local gathering of wits
in the corridors or Office. They went
over the ground on both sides of the
f2ils and the rapids carefully during
the forenoon The noon traiE brought
five more, three women and two men
and Vivian herself greeted them like
long delayed and welcome guests, She
! took them out and showed them hel
red canoe, and Carteret stood in the
ofing and meditated on the develop
ments Of the case.
But Don did more, He stopped dead
short on his way past the party at
the foot Of the hotel steps, and beamed
down on Little Red Head" as he
dubbed her
What are yca ING to do with
that canoe?'
She dimplei sclieyously, and met
his gaze fairly.
IF you are down below the rapids
at sundown tonight, you will see, Mr..
Marden, and I'm hoping you viii be :
The tallest man in the new lot OF
guests approached
Possibly you are not aware, sir,
he began in friendly fashion, that
! our Miss Loveioy is known from the
Atlantic to the Pacific coast
Oh Mr. Kitson," pleaded Vivian
flushing. Don't. haven't told any.
one here, and I've had such a good
time all by myself It viii be bad
enough when it's over"
Don looked the whole aggregation
over deliberately. He turned again to
Vivian.
You're going to shoot the falls in
that canoe, aren't your
Well, what if l should?" She was
laughing at him
Nothing, only this. I'll be in the
rapids at the foot to get you out if
you do"
You keep out of it, boy" warned
Kitson, kindly. This is business"
'I'll be there" repeated Don, dog
gedly, and stalked away to his fishing.
And at sundown Indian Neck had
its first big thrill Of the entire season.
The red canoe was borne to the lake
above the falls. And there appeared
sundry wild tribesmen, painted chiefs
and braves who bore found malden
to the canoe, and danced a frantic
dance around her, before they pushed
the canoe away on its voyage over
the falls.
On the shsre the film machine
worked steadily Another one was
waiting at the rapids, and Kitson as
the lover brave was ready to dash in
and save the girl in the red canoe,
when Carteret dashed along the lower
bank as the canoe went over the falls.
1T will be ripped upon the rocks!"
he yelled, but there already strode
through the rapids tall, ungainly
figure, Marden in his trouting boots,
finding his way surely among the
rocks and deep holes. Had he not
threaded them for years, seeking the
hidden lurking places of the rainbow
beauties and their speckled brothers.
For one binding instant the canoe
went out of sight in the boiling, surg
ing mass of water at the foot of the
falls. Then it appeared, twirling like
an autumn leaf in the swift current
that led straight for the rapids.
On the lower bank were two of the
men, Kitson and another, ready to go
to the rescue, but they seemed to
have lost their nerve. But before the
red slip Of boat could get into the
NAV of the rocks that yawned above
the eddying water, Don Marden had
seized it, Vivian lay in it, holding
to the safety belt they had fastened
about her and the ropes that had been
fastened as handles on each side OF
the canoe Her hair was streaming
over her shoulders. There was no
fear in her eyes, only great wonder
ment. And while Don cut the leather
belt, and lifted her in his arms, the
! film machines worked steadily, until
he reached the bank with her where
Carteret stood, limp, helpless wreck.
I'VE can use it all right, Miss Love
joy,' Kitson said that night, when
she made her appearance on the We
randa., You did fine, that's all / can
say. You kept your nerve, and it was
some drop over the falls, too H'I be
4 a good film, and well change the story
around bit to let this gentleman
into it."
You needn't bother" Don returned
He had been talking to Vivian quietly