The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-06-16
CAUGHT
BY ARTHUR PEACH.

iSe ot spFlpg dlu MOI pTlgnten III
thoughts. He was weary Of the cit,
and all it suggested Then came th'
thought that made him sit up.
Far up in the northern part o.
Maine he had camp which was thu
pride OF his heart. For the last thre,
seasons, it had been broken into BY
thieves in spite of the man he hat
hired to look after IT, Much valuable
stuff had been stolen, and the preced
ing fall he had told his old guide, Ac
ton, that if he did not stop the thievine
he would lose his job But Merrimar
was balf suspicious.
So he decided to make a flying trir
to the camp.
He made his preparations and
cleaned up his business affairs in a
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 ashe thought Of
what would confront rim 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 disgusted, he threw off
his coat and hat and began an at
tempt to bring some kind of order out
of the chaos.
Suddenly shadow filled the room
He turned.
In the doorway stood girl, straight
as reed and graceful as a fawn on
the verge of fight. 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 as a
thief but who she was he had not the
slightest idea
Suddenly it occurred to him that
here was a 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
Now put your hands over your head
and come outl" she ordered
Merriman did as she directed.
Now go down to the dock. Get into
that canoe. Take the bow-with your
back toward met" she commanded.
He followed her direction implicitly
The canoe left the shore, and under
the impulse of a pair of vigorous young
arms began to pick up speed
Il wonder where I'm headed for
now" thought Merriman Il wonder If
they have lady sheriffs up here this
eaxly."
He looked back at her once and saw
a vision Of full-throated, 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 Store. jumped out and or.
iered him to 10 likewise.
A path ran from the bank back, (
md not far away Merriman could see
the faint outlines of a shack.
At her orders, he proceeded toward
he shack, and as they drew nearer
she whistled shrilly and called; ia
her! l have him"
Then Merriman received his second
distinct shock of that eventful after.
loon. In the doorway of the shack ap.
leared the wasted. bent figure of his
I'D guide.
Girl, girl what have you donel
This is Mr. Merrimanl"
She moved slowly forward, her face
,rown pale, her eyes wide open. Then.
IS Merriman turned from greeting his
tricken guide and held out his hand
o her. she drew back hastily and her
lands went to her face to hide her dis.
ress.
It's all right" he assured her I'm
lad to find my camp was so well
uarded. | ought to apologize to you
or deceiving you. but was ire
lendously astonished when you ap-
cared
Later. while he and his old guide
yere smoking before the cheerful fire.
lace, and his fair captor was cooking
he supper, Merriman heard the solu.
on of the mystery.
She was Acton's daughter. She had
rown up in village on the coast and
acently had studied to become a
urse. When her father fell i'll she
ad come back to the camp to take
are Of him She had found that his
nxiety ror the safety OF the camp
eighed heavily on his mind and she
ad volunteered TO go up each day and
re that everything was all right I
One thing still puzzled Merriman
nd he asked the girl why the place
as so upset.
She hesitated and hlushed as she
nswered, We'll. when l first went
lere It wRs-so-so-"
u understand" Merriman laughed
L needed a good spring cleaningi
gree with you Now. want both OF
on to go with me TO the camp Jeb.
lis has been your home for a good
ANY years, but l want you TO leave
; you need somebody to look out for
m and I must say ! am in fha sauna E