The Denver star., 1917-11-24
ADIRONDACK GUIDE.
BY GEORGE HAssLER

Van Rensselaer,, aged 25, did not
marry. She was rich, handsome and
one of the 400. She had refused many
offers. So society finally gave it up
and put down the heiress as decidedly
eccentric.
Now, John Turner .Osgood was one
of many interested in Miss Van Rens-
salaer's matrimonial intentions. He
was looking for a rich wife. He had
no objections to good looks and social
position, but never having been in
love. Riches were the main considera-
ton with him. And being rather a
clever young man, after fashion all
his own, Mr.. OsgoOd did not rush in
to try his fate. On the contrary, he
took good care that Miss Rensselaer,
should not even see his face. Instead,
he had confidential talk with his
clever young married cousin, Mrs.
Thomas Carstairs, who, not long af-
terwards, struck up quite friendship
with Miss Rensselaer,. In due course
of time Mrs. Carstairs reported to Mr..
Osgood that she guessed Miss Van
Rensselaer, did not marry because she
was lOOhluS 1Ol u ACdA Ahah dIu Ililu
not been able. up to date, to find one
in her exclusive and limited set.
This report must have borne fruit,
for queerly enough, last summer when
Miss Van Rensselaer, and q camping
party went into the Adirondacks one
of their guides was II new man-John
Turner, he called himself-who was
just little different from any other
guide in all the region round about.
One afternoon toward the last Of
the camp, Miss Van Rensselaer, got
into her boat, remarked that they
needn't wait for supper for her and
pulled leisurely across the lake. AT
supper time 1t was suggested that
someone ought to look her up. Turner
volunteered and pulled across the lake
to the mouth of n stream where he
had last seen her boat. A little way
up the stream he met freshly plucked
pond lily floating down. Further on
he saw more liliesA birch bark and
beech leaf wreaths. 1t was q trail a
blind man could follow and even after
it was dark he rOwed on, confident
that she was upstream. Finally he
found her on the bank busily\engaged
in brOiling black bass over a small
camp fire. A substantial lunch basket
showed she had come prepared.
Miss Van Rensselaer, did not seem
at all surprised to see the guide and
the guide expressed no surprise at
finding her cooking her supper alone
at u distance of ten miles or more
from the camp. He merely remarked
that the party had asked him to hunt
her up and tell her that supper was
ready. She remarked in turn that the
fancy had seized her to eat supper
alone in the woods and asked him to
get some more wood for the fire. Then
she made him help her with her cook
ing and finally handed him Il tin plate
and knife and fork and told him to
fall to. Afterward they sat about the
fire and talked casually about the
woods.
At last she remarked casually that
she supposed he knew how to build
shelter for her for the night. He re-
piled that he did and proceeded 10 put
together light lean-to of saplings.
boughs and bark, and to heap the floor
with fragrant hemlock and cedar.
When it was done she asked him to
pile up enough wood by the fire to last
all night. When this was ready she
remarked:
'Ive set my heart on sleeping here
in the woods. OF course, 1t would not
be safe for me to stay alone?"
NO" he answered, "there are pam
theirs and wolves in these woods"
Il want you to stay and keep watch.
Then in the morning Kou can go back
first to camp and say you couldn't find
me-"
II see," he remarked, "all right"
Thereupon Miss Van Rensselaer,
went to her lean-to, made herself snug
with a blanket.
Presently Miss Van Rensselaer,.
much to her surprise, dropped of to
sleep. Promptly with the first blush
of dawn Miss Van Rensselaer, opened
her eyes and looked into the guides
face. He was staring straight In front
Of him, and his face was drawn and
hageard.
"Who are your" she said suddenly.
"A fraud" he replied. He did not
even seem surprised at her question.
II saw you in Washington last win
ter" he went on. II knew I had no
chance there, but thought luck might
come my way up here in the woods.
I imagined you were deadly tired Of
your world. wanted a rich wife.
spied on you and here 1 ana hired
guide"
"Why do you tell me this? Why not
keep up the pretence-why not talk Of
love-why not threaten me? You hold
the cards."
Because do love you"
"Oh."
"And because I love you am
ashamed, and am going"