Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-03-16
BARRIE'S GUEST
BY JACK LAYTON.
IsgI. western Newspaper Unl0n-)


companionship which he had never
heretofore known. Even the gruff. IL
literate guide. whom he had lett tar
below. would now be welcome. AIsi
as Barrie travelled his lonely paths, he
wondered II the clue which led him
10 this desOlate spot might not De
false after all. In a spirit or enthu-
siastc confidence he had offered his
service in seeking out the supposed
defaulter Of the bank. In which MS
own father was president.
Detectives, IL was proven. had been
at sea In their suspicious, and Barrie
In a moment of inspiration. had put
his finger mentally upon the culprit'
and then had offered TO take an adj
venturous trip 70 the far mountains,
where Glen Gordon was supposed 10
be hiding.
Glen Gordon had served faithfully
for many years In the bank where
Barrie. under his father, was EN-
ployed. And when Glen GOrdon's
name was furnishing the sensation OF
city dailies. Gordon himself complete
ly disappeared.
AS Barrle's father-in a last hope
OF proving his old employees honesty
had provided necessary bail, the
flight was more distressing. But now
Barrie feared that the clue, given by
an old servant of the GOrdOn's, had
been misleading, and his own offered
service useless.
Then. far above I'm a clearing. the
young man beheld a small cabin;
smoke came from Its chimney. and
Barrie eagerly pressed his horse for
ward. The sight of human habitation
was M least comforting. And as he
approached. a young woman turned.
At sight OF her. Barrie's eyes reflected
the establishment of her own.
Barrie broke the silence. BEG par
dom" he said. II have travelled far
without Finding a resting place. May
I rest herel And, perhaps. trespass
further upon your hospitality In ask
ing for food? A glass of milk or a
piece Of bread would be gratefully
received"
When she reappeared al the door
OF the cabin bearing a light table. Bar
RTE FASTENED 10 relieve her. cIrrying
II at the girls direction TO the shelter
Of a tree. Sharpness was still In the
air. and he would have preferred In
doors. But when his enforced hostess
came presently. she carried a basket
OF cakes and cracker-sandwiches and
a pot of steamlng tea. And as she
served him. Barrie noted the soft
wilderness OF her hands.
1T Is unusually good fortune 10 en-
Joy the hospitality OF one Of my own
country women In such a desOlate
place" he said.
The girl. with an enlgmatical smile,
ignored the suggested question.
when you feel refreshed you will
kindly ride on your way" she re-
turned
I'm afraid" Barrie said decidedly.
"that before do so / must gain that
information for which | came. am
trying to locate a Mr. Glen Gordon.
being the bearer OF news 10 his a6
vantage"
Though the girls face paled. her
blue eyes regarded steadily the self
imposed detective.
"NIr. Gordon is not here" she re-
piled. "You may search the cabin,
n you wish. I occupy II alone"
Barrie stared. then laughed lncredu-
lously.
"Alone In this wilderness?" he ex-
claimed. "NOw. why you do that?"
The girl gathered up the tea cups
II have answered you" she said
"You are the first living person whom
heard speak IN two months"
over her shoulder she nodded TO
him. Good night" she said mean
ingly.
Barrie did not search the cabin;
hut when he was again upon a lower
level he looked up nc the house in the
clearing. end he saw the girl wave
white cloth. giving with II three dis
tlnct signals. Then Barrie saw a
mans tall figure-so the girl had lied.
as he suspected.
He rode on TO intercept the man.
and as the man came Barrie recOg-
nIzed the one for whom he sought
Glen Gordon. trapped and frightened.
The older mans CHASTITY face turned
crimson as the young one. alIghting.
clasped his hands as the hands of
friend.
"It's all right"-Gordon realized the
young mans words at last-"I came
10 tell YOU that we are aware OF your
innocence. was lucky enough TO hit
upon the guilty devil. and he con-
fesSed-Balns. your assistant. But
look here. man; why did you run
away? You must have known that II
would come ont rightr'
Inarticulate. tears rolling down his
cheeks. Glen Gordon stood Then he
drew a paper from his pocket and