The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-05-24
CAUGHT
BY ARTHUR PEACH.


window of his club. The common
spread out before him in it's dim prom
Use of spring did not brighten his
thoughts. He was weary of the city
and all it suggested. Then came the
thought that made him sit up.
Far up in the northern part OF
Maine he had a camp which was the
| pride Of his heart. For the last three
seasons, it had been broken into by
| thieves in spite OF the man he had
hired to look after it. Much valuable
! stuff had been stolen, and the proceed
! ing fall he had told his old guide. Ac.
ton that if he did not stop the thieving
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
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
SIlOtS ilplu INC uOOI VI l!Ie camp "
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 as
thief, but who she was he had not the
slightest idea
here was a chance for adventure-an
adventure with fair young goddess of !
the north woods. He would follow the /
lure. no matter where il led him.
Her eyes were clear and bright and |
steady, albeit her face was pale.
Now put your hands over your head |
and come QUIT" she ordered.
Merriman did as she directed.
Now go down to the dock. Get into |
that canoe. Take the bOw-with your
back toward me-" 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
low," thought Merriman. 81 wonder II
hey 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
# her jacket
mile or so down the river she
urned the canoe. and padding it back
ward to the shore, jumped out and or
Tered him to do likewise.
A path ran from the bank back,
nd not far away Merriman could see
he faint outlines Of shack
At her orders. he proceeded toward
he shack, and as they drew nearer
he whistled shrilly and called: "Fa-
her! / have HIM"
Then Merriman received his second {
istinct shock OF that eventful after
Don. In the doorway of the shack ap-
cared the wasted, bent figure of his r
Id guide. !
Girl, girl, what have you done?
his is Mr. Merriman."
She moved slowly forward, her face
rown pale, her eyes wide open. Then,
S Merriman turned from greeting his -
tricken guide and held out his hand
} her, she drew back hastily and her q
ands went to her face to hide her dis a
'ess n
Its all right" he assured her. I'm b
lad to find my camp was so we'll
larded. I ought to apologize to you v
IT deceiving you, but was ire -
endously astonished when you ap-
cared" W
Later, while he and his old guide al
ere smoking before the cheerful fire. e.
ace, and his fair captor was cooking
e supper, Merriman heard the solu- W
on of the mystery NJ
She was Actions daughter. She had
own up in village on the coast and -
Gently had studied to become a
lrse. When her father fell i'll she
I'd come back to the camp to take
re OF him. She had found that his pr