Evening star., 1922-05-07
What Would You. Do?

satisfied that he had. rightly inter-
preted her meaning, and those she
became an inspirinE collaborator.
SO **
rniS task took 30 strong = hold upon
: : him that In Ms third week he
found that he was shortening his
hours Of recreation in his cagerness
to- be on with the story. A sleep
3ess night planning chapters ahead
brought an irritable day and he took
blankets and provisions and set sail
for remoter points than he had yet
explored. The tonic air and sunshine
soon transquilized him. At midday he
ate ravenously, slept for an hour and
continued northward.
A tent caught his eye and three
men appeared on the shore and in
vited him to land.
You haven't q newspaper, have
you?" asked one of the trio. We've
been out Of communication with the
world for two weeks and are be-
ginning to bore each other
They introduced themselves as DR..
Carrington of Chicago. Riggs. min
lister from Ohio, and Barton. a judge
from Colorado. They explained that
eyerv wear since leaving college they
had renewed friendship in this fash
ion. Tarleton spent an hour with
them and his heart warmed under the
spell of their good comradeship.
He chose q broad sandy beach un-
der q high bank as q camping place.
deciding to make the return trip in
the early hours OF the morning. He
kindled fire Of driftwood, and while
boilingswater for his coffee studied
q pocket map of the lakes to deter
mine his position. Two miles off
shore lay n group of islands indi-
Gated by tiny marks no bigger than
pinhsads. and. he made note of them
az the goal for another Night, in
case be should again feel the need
of change.
The level shore tempted him to
walk, and after supper he followed
it until the line was broken by q
sharp point that shot abruptly into
the lake. Beyond 1t he found a min
iature bay shut In by trees A chill
like that. Of q damp cellar hung
about the place into which the last
daylight flung q pale tinsle Of green
that added to its gloom.
A splash which might have passed
for ripple breaking against the bank
startled him. A succession Of splashes
followed and the rhythmic beat of
oars became increasingly audible.
He lowered himself to the water level,
waiting for further manifestations Of
the unseen oarsman. There was some-
thing steafhy in the light fall Of the
oars which struck him as curious.
The outline Of the boat was now
limned' on the dark water. The un-
known craft moved slowly. as though
1t bore . considerable burden. Tarleton
next discerned the forward and back
ward swing Of the unknown rover
printed like q silhouette upon the dusk.
His foot slipped on the soft bank,
shaking loose clod that splashsd
noisily into the pool. Instantly the
fectly quiet, aware that the boat, now
undirected. was drifting toward him.
A second later he heard a Jar and
scratching as It fouled on = root that
projected under the water. The boat
was now so Close that he could have
laid His hand upon it, and his first i'm
pulse was to push 1t free; but his
gaze was held by the slender, boyish
figure Of tho boatman, who had risen,
car in hand. to fend off.
THE car thrust at the tree by which
Tatleton stood. struck his shoul-
der and pushed him backward. He
hadn't intended to make his presence
known. but involuntarily he srasped
tie shaft Of the oar for support.
II beg your pardon!" he exclaimed.
"Just minute ana I'll shove you on"
II don't need your help; stay where
you are."
1t was woman's voice, vibrant with
agitation. Her warning came too late,
for 'hia hold loosened and he slipped
down the hank. sprawling upon the
trunk of Il. prostrate tree. whose
branches lay far cut into the water.
He scrambled to his feet to find an
electric. lamp playing upon his face.
III you touch the boat I'll kill you.
I've sun pointed At you nowv.
VI don't doubt it," Tarleton replied
good naturedly. II got in here by ac-
cident. I haven't the slightest idea
of bothering you"
His curiosity yielded before his anx-
iety to quiet her fears. She continued
her efforts to free the boat, and with
steady thrust Of the oar was again
afoat.
III you attempt to follow me I'll
shoot. Remember that" she called in
distinct. even tones.
He didn't move until the steady fall
Of her oars died away, She had gained
open water and ne saw the boat more
clearly than in the hidden haven.
The boat was riding deep. then van
islied into the niEht. He replenished
the hfe. spfead hts blankets and took
counsel Of HIS pipe. She had come
once; would she come again? This
question tornhented him until he went
to sI6eb. and IT was in his mind when
he evoke. HIS reporters instinct as
sorted its power over him. He re-
nhembered that Her voice was Of un-
usual qua1tty-the voice Of d woman
Of cultfvation-and a youthful voice.
ne sought the scene OF his encounter
with her and found that even in broad