Eastern Colorado times., 1913-01-24
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VII. I.
When the waves are running freely
it is stiff pull from Mine Hosts
select little hotel in the Wisconsin
woods to Glen Island, but on perfect
moonlight night. with just breeze
sufficient to ripple the fair hair Of a
pretty girl opposite. the man at the
oars seldom finds the task arduous.
Nor did Mayor Bedight complain.
The running ripple slapped the PROV
of the boat rhythmically and from the
shadows along the approaching shore
Of the island the weird hoot Of an owl
proclaimed the witchery Of the night
With scarcely perceptible tilt
the boat grounded on the shelving
sandy shore. Bedight sprang out
and pulled the craft further upon its
cushioned anchorage. The girl sat
in the boat, intently watching the
mayor. That gentleman took from
the locker basket well laden. Quick
ly gathering some dry wood, he
stacked It over bunch of tinder-
like weeds, touched a match to the
pile, set the basket at a safe distance
and pulling revolver from his pocket.
fired in the general direction of the
moon.
Having maneuvered thus peculiarly.
he hastened back to the boat, showed
of and rowed from the shore hun
dred yards. Resting on his oars, he let
the boat toss Idly upon the lake. Five.
ten minutes passed. The dry wood
burned brightly. making beacon Of
light, into the circle Of which there
came, at last, three shadows, followed
by unintelligible conversation.
They've found it," said the mayor,
picking up his oars and turning the
boat toward the hotel.
1t was midnight when the sides of
the craft rubbed its sister boats at
Mine Hosts dock. The mayor and
the girl crept softly up the winding
pathway toward the hotel. Suddenly,
in the moonlight ahead, the form Of
a woman appeared advancing to meet
| them. The mayor and the girl saw
her simultaneously. He stopped in
stantly with restraining hand upon
the girls arm.
"Quick!" he commanded, springing
in front of his companion and turning
her about face. Walk rapidly down
the path to the boathouse."
She complied instantly.
Over his shoulder the mayor saw
the woman hesitate. then follow de-
terminedly through the shimmering
moonlight.
60 into the boathouse," directed
Bedight hurriedly. "Wait until en-.
gage her in conversation. Then open
the rear door and run for the hotel.
And be quiet!"
II understand" whispered the girl.
excitedly.
Slipping through the door, she
closed it softly. Pulling cigar from
his pocket, the mayor scratched a
match on the sole Of his shoe and
bfeW>~-nuff Of smoke at the same tar
get which eaxlter in the evening he
had failed to hftNVith his leaden mis-
sile. am.
The woman rounded>the corner aud
came directly toward him.
81 beg your pardon. Mr.. Bedight,"
said Judge" Vining in cold, formal
voice, "for following you, but as chap
erone of the young ladies at the hote!
feel that it was my duty to do so.
L"
The mayor bowed.
DUTY to the one performing It," he
interrupted gallantly, "is oftentimes
irksome, but begrudgingly done fire.
quently conveys pleasure to another.
do not desire to appear selfish in
your eyes. but find your duty pleases
me greatly" bowing again. Nov. the
moonlight"
The Judge" made deprecating
gesture.
do not attempt to evade." she
warned. II am deeply in earnest.
, Where Is the-the-" She seemed at
loss to proceed. Finally she threw
diplomacy to the winds. "Who was
the girl with you-alone-at this hour
of the night? have a right to know