The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1914-11-30
CHAPTER VIII.
The Incredible Thing.

north country: Alan Law opening be-
wildered eyes to realize the substance
of dream come true.
True 1t proved itself, at least, in
part. He lay between blankets upon a
couch of balsam fans, in cornerof
somebody's camp-a log structure,
weatherproof, 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 a 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
guides; a pair of dainty buckskin
gauntlets depending from nail in the
wall; and-he stood staring witlessly
at it for more than a minute-in an
old preserve jar on the table, a single
rose, warm and red, dew upon its
petalsi
There was also fire in the cook
stove, with a 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, chagrined, mystifed.
There was no other living thing in
sight but a loon that sported far up
the river and saluted him with a
shrek Of hooking laughter.
The place was a 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 a rushing river fat with,
recent rains; on the other by second
cliff of equal height Upstream the
water curved round the shoulder of
towering hill, downstream the cliffs
closed upon it until it roared through
a narrow gorge.
Near the camp, upon a strip of
shelving beach that bordered the river.
where it widened into a deep, dark
pool, two canoes were drawn up, bot
toms to the SUM- Dense thickets of
pines, oaks, and balsams hedged In
the clearing.
He was, it 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 Toasted famously again at noon;
whiled away several hours vainly whip-
ping the pools with rod and tackle
found in the camp, for trout that ne
really didn't hope would rise beneath;
that blazing sun; and toward three
. 'clock lounged back to his aromatic |
couch for a nap.
The westering sun had thrown a
deep, cool shadow across the cove
when he was awakened by impcrtun7
ate hands and a voice of magic.
Rose Urine was kneeling beside him,
his shoulders, calling on him
by name-distracted by an inexplica-
Die anxiety.
He wasted no time discriminating
between dream and reality, but gath
cred both into his arms. And for g
moment she rested there unresisting,
'obbing quietly.
What is it? What is 1t, dearestT"
le questioned, kissing her tears away
ITO find you all right. III. I
vas SO afraid" she cried brokenly.
"Of what? Wasn't I all right when
'ou left me here this morning."
She disengaged with an effort, rose,
and looked down strangely at him.
81 did not leave you here this morn
ng, Alan. I wasn't here"
That brought him to his own feet
n a jiffy "You we're not!" he STAN
nered. "Then who
Judith" she stated with conviction.
Impossible! You don't under
tand."
The girl shook her head "Yet
now: Judith was here until this
corning. l tell you I know saw
er only few hours ago. She passed
8 in a canoe with one of her guides,
yhile we watched In hiding on the
anks. Not that alone, but another of
er guides told mine she was here
nth you. She had sent him to South
ortage for Quinine. He stopped
here to get drunk-and that's how
ly guide managed to worm the inforI
ration from him."
Alan passed hand across his eyes,
don't understand" he said DULY,
It doesn't seem possible she
ould-"
A shot interrupted him, the report
2 rife from a considerable distance
pstream, echoed and re-echoed by the
ifs. And at this, elutching fran
cally at his arm, the girl drew him
trough the door and down toward the
yer.
ooh, come, come" she cried Wild
;. There's no time!."
''But, why? What was that?"
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