The Lakeland evening telegram., 1913-08-13
Or Is 1t chestnut? 10 she going n
paddle her own canoe?"

Job. and the little trim canoe stood
respondent 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 1t for me-" she said. I'll
LAY for 1t tomorrow, and for your
time"
Carteret's response was very fervid.
He wanted no pay for this work Of
love. He adored her. He was her
willing 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
were men, with certain curious arti.
cles 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
falls and the rapids carefully during
the forenoon. The noon train 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 her
red canoe. and Carteret stood In the
offing 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 you going to do with
that cancer"
She dimpled mischievously, and met
his gaze fairly.
III you are down below the rapids
at sundown tonight, you will see, Mr..
Marden, and I'm hoping you will 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 Lovejoy is known from the
Atlantic to the Pacific coast"
"Oh, Mr.. Kitson," pleaded Vivian,
hushing. Don't. l haven't told any
one here, and I've had such a good
time all by myself. 1t will 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 you?"
well, what If should?" She was
laughing at him.
Nothing, only this. I'll be In the
rapids at the foot to get you out II
you do"
You keep cut of 1t, boy" warned
Kitson, kindly This Is business" -"
"Tll be there" repeated Don, dog
gedly, and stalked away to his fishing.
| And at sundown Indian Neck had
it's 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 q found maiden
to the canoe, and danced q frantic
dance around her, before they pushed
the canoe away on its voyage over
the falls.
On the shore the film machine
worked steedily. 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 1t appeared, twirling like
an autumn leaf in the swift current
that led straight for tie rapids.
| On the lower bank we're two Of the
men. Kitson and another, ready to 60
to the rescue, but trey 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 1t, holding
to the safety belt they had fastened
about her and the ropes that had been
fastened as handles or 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.
We can use II all right, Miss Love.
Joy" Kitson said that night. when
she made her appearance on the We.
randa. '"You did fne, that's all ! can
say. You kept your nerve. and II was
some drop over the falls, too. It'll bs
. good film. and we'll change the story
around bit TO let this gentleman
into It."
You needn't bother" Don returned.