The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-10-11
THE GOLDEN POOL
BY ROBERT w. CHAMBERS
Illustrated by Jay Barnum


The doctor finding his patients quarters unten-
anted for the first time in many months, fastened
downstairs to the veranda, where he discovered a
lean notwithstanding young fellow clad in fishing
cOat fussing with rod and reel.
/ 'Oho, my enterprising friend!' he said. 'What
mischief are you Matching nOw?"
"I'm going to try for big trout in the Golden
Pool, " said his patient calmly
This nlooked-for energy appeared to embarrass
the doctor His grim mouth frightened.
| Don't go now,' he said; cts too late in the
morning"
| 81 know it, but I'm going"
Against my orders!' demanded the exasperated
doctor.
with pleasure" replied the young man gayly.
And it's your own doing, too Do you remember
what you said last night?''
II said I saw big fish rising in that pool
growled the doctor
Exactly; and that has done more to brace me up
than all your purple pills for peculiar people,"
''Now what the devil possesses you to make for
the Golden Pool at this particular minute?" de-
manded the vexed doctor. you've been an invalid
for year and more, and up to this moment you've
done what told you.''
His patient continued to laugh-that same light
hearted infectious laugh which the doctor had not
heard in many month, and he looked at him keenly.
"All the same, you re not well yet, and you know
it, he said.
my aversion to women?"
"Partly"
''You mean my memory still fails me? Well, then,
what do you think happened this morning9'
'What?'' inquired the doctor, sulkiy.
HThis: I went out to the stables and recognized
Phelan and Riley! How's that for start9 Then"
he glanced across the lawnwhera an old gardener
pottered among the petunias2zs there's Dawson
isn't it? And this is my place-Gleniris9 Ism t
lit? Besides" he added, "my aversion to women is
disappearing saw girl the lawn from my win
dow this morning. Who is she9"
'Was she dressed in white?" asked the doctor.
"Don't remember"
'YOu never before saw her?'
"No-I don't know. ! didn't see her face"
$50 it seems you can't recollect the back of rel
alive neighbor. Now what do you think Of your
lself9"
''Relative9 Nonsense" he laughed; "I haven't
any, AS for the neighbors give me time, for heav-
ems sake! I'm doing beautifully. There millions
of things that set me thinking and worrying now
funny flashes OF memory-hints of the past, vague
glimpses that excite to effort but nothing-ab-
solutely nothing-yet Of that blank year. Was it
a year,"
"How long it9' asked his patient wistfully.
Sixteen months"
"You said l was shot, think"
"No, didn't You think you were, but it was
done with Malay kris Now, what can you remem-
Der about it9'
The young man stood silent, fumbling with his rod
The doctor, who had begun to pace the veranda,
halted and glanced sharply at his patient.
| "II tell you why didn't want you to go to the
Golden Pool he said.
"Well, why7"
| sPoachers,' - replied the doctor, watching him.
They fish in the POOLS and they your canoe, and
they even have the mpudence to go bathing in the
Golden Pool. -. didn't want you to worry"
! .sI think the poacher catch will do the worry
ing,' said the young man, laughing rs that all?'
"That is all. Go ahead if you want to- If you run
across that girl invite her to dinner. She's friend
of mine and the doctor walked off.
| His patient started across the meadow.
| Suddenly, beyond the sprayed underground, he
caught glow of color glimpse Of that rich sunny
foliage which gave the Golden Pool its name; and
now the familiar water lay glimmering through the
trees and he began the descent stepping quietly
LA deer
/ He parted the thicket. There was no canoe there,
nothing except book lyin1 on q luncheon basket; ;
land-what was this-and tbs -
/ He started stupidity for moment, then rose and
stepped through the thcke to the edge Of the water