The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-08
CAUGHT
BY ARTHUR PEACH.

thoughts. He was weary Of the city
and all 1t suggested. Then came the
thought that made him sit up.
Far up in the northern part Of
Maine he had camp which was thu
pride Of his heart. For the last three
seasons, 1t had been 5roken into by
thieves in spite of the man he had
hired to look after It, Much valuable
stun had been stolen, and the proceed
ing fall he had told his old guide, Ac
ton. that II he did not stop the thievine
he would lose his job But Merriman
was half suspicious.
So he decided to make a flying trip
to the camp.
He made his preparations and
day. At the close of the next, he
reached the lake.
When he reached camp, the first
signs he saw were tracks of small
shoes from the door of the camp to
the dock.
Merriman groaned as he thought of
what would confront him when he
opened the door-everything in disor-
der and almost everything that was
valuable at all missing
Just what he expected! Things were
even more upset than they were the
last time.
Angry and disguised, he threw off
his coat and hat and began an at
tempt to bring some kind of order out
of the chaos.
Suddenly a shadow filled the room
He turned.
In the doorway stood girl. straight
as a reed and graceful as a fawn on
the verge of flight. His eyes went to
her face and he saw-he was looking
into the blue end Of an automatic re-
volver! Put on your coat and come
with me. guess we've got you now"
The girl evidently regarded him % q
thief, but who she was he had not tho
slightest idea.
Suddenly 1t occurred to him that
here was Q chance for adventure-an
adventure with fair young goddess Of
the north woods. He would follow the
lure, no matter where it led him.
Her eyes were clear and bright and
steady, albeit her face was pale.
Nov put your hands over your head
and come Quit" she ordered.
Merriman did as she directed.
Now 60 down to the dock. Got into
that canoe. Take the bow-with your
back toward mel" she commanded.
He followed her direction implicitly.
The canoe left the shore, and under
the impulse of pair Of vigorous young
arms began to pick up speed.
II wonder where I'm headed for
now" thought MerrimaA. II wonder If
they have lady sheriffs up here this
early"
He looked back at her once and saw
a vision of fullthroated, rosy girl
arms round yet muscular, driving the
paddle like an Indian expert, the auto
matte within easy grasp in the pocket
of her jacket
A mile or so down the river she
turned the canoe, and, padding it back
ward to the shore, jumped out and or
dered him to do likewise.
A path ran from the bank back,
and not far away Merriman could see
the faint outlines of shack.
At her orders, he proceeded toward
the shack, and as they drew nearer
she whistled shrilly and called: "Fa-
Their! have him!"
Then Merriman received his second
distinct shock of that eventful after.
noon. In the doorway of the shack ap.
peared the wasted, bent figure of his
old guide.
Girl. girl, what have you done?
This is Mr.. Merriman!"
She moved slowly forward, her face
grown pale. her eyes wide open. Then.
2s Mer-ima1 turned from greeting mis-
stricken guide and held out his hand
to her, she drew back hastily and her
hands went to her face to hide her dis
tress.
IT'S all right" he assured her. I'm
glad to find my camp was so we'll
guarded. I ought to apologize to you
for deceiving you. but I was ire
mendously astonishsd when you ap-
peared."
Later. while he and his old guide
w%e smoking before the cheerful fire.
PLACE, and his fair captor was cooking
th9supper. Merriman heard the sclu-
tiob3 Of tie mystery.
Sic was Acton's daughter. She had
grMn up IN village on the coast and
reqhtiy had styled to become
nu{4e. When heHhther fell i'll she
had come back to the camp to take
caHS d H9I 14fk@3Rdund that his
anxiety for the safety Of the camp
ws6had heavily on hid fflH and she
hafFofunteered to 90 up each day and
'e Ar ever s,v.sryabi1VWS sht:
an6}he asked the girl why the place
waEsso upset. :,
Ae hesitated and blushed as she
anH4eIed, We'll, when l first. went
thek$ II was-so-so-" 21Ah1(
IA understand" Merriman laughed
"ItAeaded a good spring cleaning! /
agrse with you'll sbw.eIowaAtl Boths Of
yoHto go with me to the camp. Jeb
ths{Shas been your hme- hpna good