The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-09-09

vIi0oTca eyes To reai.ze tile SUBSTANCE
of dream come true.
True it proved itself. at least, In
part. He lay between blankets upon a
couch of balsam fans, in corner OF
somebody's camp-a "1og structure,
weather-proof. rudely but adequately
furnished. His clothing, rough-dried
but neatly mended, lay upon q chair
at his side. +3
He rose and dressed in haste, at
once exulting in his sense of complete
rest and renewed well-being, a 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
balsamin the farther corner; an effect
of crderlness 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 minute-in an,
old preserve jar on the table, single
rose. warm and red, dew upon Its
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, chagrined, mystified.
There was no other living thing in
sight but loon that sported far up
the river and saluted him with a
Shrek OF hooking laughter.
The place was a cleft in the hills.
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: en- the other by second
cliff Of equal height. Upstream the.
water curved round the shoulder of a
towering hill, downstream the cliffs
closed upon it until it roared through
a narrow gorge.
Near the camp, upon 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 sun 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 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 ne
really didn't hope would rise beneath
that blazing sun; and toward three
o'clock lounged back to his aromatic
couch for nap.
The westering sun had thrown q
deep, cool shadow across the cove
when he was awakened by Emporium
ate hands and a voice Of magic.
Rose Urine was kneeling beside him,
clutching his shoulders, calling on him
by name-distracted 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 it, dearest?"
he questioned, kissing her tears away.
ITO find you all 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.
Il did not leave you here this morn
ing, Alan. l wasn't here"
That brought him to his own feet
in jiffy. "You were not" he STAN
mered. Then who-?"
Judith" she stated with conviction.
Impossible! You don't under
stand" ..
The girl shook her head. "Yet l
know: Judith was here until this