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

opened the door-everything in d1sor-
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 of
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 a reed and graceful as 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 1t occurred to him that
here was 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.
Nov go down to the dock Get 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.
Il wonder where I'm headed for
now" thought Merriman. 81 wonder if
they have lady sheriffs up here this
early"
He looked back at her once and saw
vision of a 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 shore, jumped out and or
dered him to do likewise.
A path ran from the bank back,
and TO- or a"ay 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: IA
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,
as Merriman turned from greeting his
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 well
guarded. l ought to apologize to you
for deceiving you, but l was ire
mendously astonished when you ap-
peared."
Later. while he and his old guide
were smoking before the cheerful FIRE.
place, and his fair captor was cooking
the supper, Merriman heard the solu-
ton Of the mystery.
She was Acton's daughter. She had
grown up IN village on the coast and
recently had studied to become a
nurse. When her father fell i'll she
had come back to the camp to take
care of him, She had found that his
anxiety for the safety Of the camp
weighed heavily on his mind and she
had volunteered to go up each day and
see that everything was all right.
One thing still puzzled Merriman.
and he asked the girl why the place
was so upset.
She hesitated and blushed as she
answered, Well, when l first went
there il was-so-so-"
Il understand" Merriman laughed
1t needed a good spring cleaning, I
agree with you. Now, | want both of
you to go with me to the camp. Jeb.
this has been your home for a good
many years, but l want you to leave
it; you need somebody to look out for
you, and | must say am in the same
fix, viii you take charge of us?" He
turned to the girl.
She laughed confusedly. AS long
as you are meek as you were today.
III be willing to be responsible for
your behaviorl" she said.
ll.-...-----.... 81.