The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-11-06
Copyright, 1914. by Louis Joseph Vance
CHRPTES vlII
The Incredible Thino.


True 1t proved itself, at least. I'm
part. He lay between blankets upon a
couch OF balsam fans, in corner of
somebody's camp-a log structure,
weather-proof, rudely but adequately
furnished. His clothing, rough dried
but neatly mended, lay upon a chair
at his side
He rose and dressed in haste. at
once eXulting in his sense Of complete
rest and renewed well-being, prey
to hints of an extraordinary appetite,
and provoked by signs that seemed to
bear out the weirdest flights Of his de-
lirious fancies.
There were apparently indisputable
evidences OF woman's recent pres
ence in the camp: blankets neatly
folded upon a second bed OF aromatic
balsam in the farther corner; an effect
OF orderliness not common with
guidesI pair Of dainty buckskin
'gauntlets depending from a nail in the
wall; and-he stood staring witlessly
at 1t for more than minute-in an
old preserve jar on the table, a single
rose, warm and red, dew upon It's
petals!
There was also fire in the cook
stove, with plentiful display of
things to cook; but despite his hunger
Alan didn't stop for that. but rushed
to the door and threw It open and him
self out into the Sunshine. only to
pause, dashed, chagrifed, mystified.
There was no other living thing in
sight but loon that sported far up
the river and9 saluted, him with
shrek of mocking laughter.
The place was cleft in the hills.
a table Of level land some few acres
in area, bounded on one hand, be-
meath the cliff from which he had
dropped. by rushing river fat with
recent rains; on the other by a second
cliff OF equal height. Upstream the
4 water curved round the shoulder of a
Towering hill, downstream the cliffs
'&losed upon 1t until 1t roared through
narrow gorge.
Near the camp, upon a strip Of
shelving beach that bordered the river
where 1t widened into deep, dark
pool. two canoes were drawn up, bot
toms to the sun. Dense thickets of
pines, oaks. and balsams hedged In
the clearing
He was, 1T seemed, to be left severe
ly to himself, that day; when he had
cooked and made way with an enor.
nous breakfast, Alan found nothing
better to do till time for luncheon
than to explore this pocket domain.
He feasted famously again at noon;
whiled away several hours vainly whip
ping the pools with rod and tackle
FOUND In the camp, for trout that he
really didn't hope would rise beneath
that blazing sun; and toward three
o'clock lounged back to his aromatic
couch for a nap
The westering sun had thrown g
deep. cool shadow across the cove
when he was awakened by importun-
ate hands and voice OF magic.
Rose Trine was kneeling beside him,
clutching his shoulders. calling on him
by name-distractcd by an ineXplica-
BILE anxiety.
He wasted no time discriminating
between dream and reality, but gath
cred both into his arms. And for a
moment she rested there unresisting,
sobbing quietly.
What is It? What is 1t, dearest"
he questioned. kissing her tears away.
ITO find you ali right /
was so afraid" she cried brokenly
"Of what? Wasn't all right when
you left me here this morning."
She disengaged with an effort. rose.
and looked down strangely at him.
'T did not leave you here this morn
ing. Alan. wasn't here"
That brought him to his own feet
in iiffy. you were mott" he STAN
mered Then who--?"
Judith" she stated with conviction.
impossible! You don't under
stand"
The girl shook her head yet /
know: Judith was here until this
morning. tell you l know saw
her only few hours ago. She passed
US In a canoe with one OF her guides,
while we watched in hiding on the
banks. Not that alone. but another Of
her guides told mine she was here
with you. She had sent him to South
Portage for quinine. He stopped
there to get drunk-and that's how
my guide managed to worm the infor-
nation from him."
Alan passed a hand across his eyes.
Il don't understand" he said duly.
1T doesn't seem possible she
could
A shot interrupted him, the report
or rifle from a considerable distance