The daily independent., 1937-08-04

!
There was nothing Of Indian
summer tranquility about 1t to-
day. Powerful and gray as chilled
steel it rushed southwark under
the overcast sky. Foam spread
above its hidden rocks like froth
on the jaws of a voracious beast.
! She represSed a shiver that was
not of cold as her ear caught tne
drone of those Srging waters that
ever menaced, yet ever drew her.
An object Swirled into view below.
II was a moment before she maze
out what it WaS-a dead Dull
moose. circling momentarily IN an
eddy. The antlerS that had been
the pride and defense Of the splen-
did creature bObbed pathetlcally
I'D and down as it came chulnlng
through the upper canyons.
Ugh" She closed her eyes,
turning quickly from the sight,
and stumbled against Page. In
stantly his arms closed protec-
lively about her. He began to
speak words hurried and husky
with earnestneSS.
Denny! This damned cruel
river is no place for you. You're
too soft. too fine for this rough
life. darling. I knew it from the
first. Let me help you get away,
little girl. Turn River House over
to me and &omorroW-any time
you say-Ill take you down to
Wrangell and
please. Jack" Denny'S revul-
sion against the implacab.e force
sweeping past the cliff had caus'
ed her to lie against his breast
unreSiSting for a moment. But
now she thrust him gently from
her.
He released her at once and,
stepping back a pace, looked down
at her with a half-rueful. half
humurouS smile that gave hrs
dark face a Singularly engaging
expression.
Lord! I've done it again." he
said. From the first night l met
you. you've been able to do that
to me. Denny. even though ! Swore
then I'd keep my feelings hidden
from you. Oh. I know I haven't
a chance with you! But-Well, ]
can't help loving you and wanting
to spare you unhappineSS.' He
raised her hand to his lips. then
held it between both of his own
There. Forgive me for annoy
ing you. I promise it won't hap
pen again. But l did mean what
I said about this country being
too raw for one of your fine SEN
sibilities. It's as much for your
sake as for mine that I urge you
to let me relieve you Of River
House so that you may go back
TO civilization.
Denny withdrew her hand. but
she was impressed by his re-
Straint and show Of earneStneSS
He seemed sincerely sympathetic
and dependable on this gray au-
tumn day when she was stirred
more than usual by a fCrmieSS
dread Of this northern land. Al
the moment she felt the need OF
a human ally against this coun-
try which gripped her at timex
pected moments with its incOn-
gruouS beauty and its savage
cruelty; against this river that
lay in wait and spoke to her in
compelling tones. WhaG if that
voice contrived to lure her into
some further rash act of aban-
don?
And River House She con-
traSted Pages eagerneSS to OBJ
tain it with the negligent uncon-
Germ Of Revelry Bourne. Why
had she hesitated so long? Why
not settle the thing now and tel
Jack that he could have the
place?
Debating the question, she
looked across the valley and sc
missed the calculating flicker in
Pages gray eyes as he observed
her Wavering. A moment later
she came to a decision. She would
let him have River House.
Il believe you're right Jack
she said facing him again. I'm
going to"
Interrupting her came the high
note of a steamboat whistle that
drew her gaze to LoneWater Point
Breasting the swift current the
Stikine Maid was. tearing through
the water half-hidden by the vap-
or that belched from her ex-
hauStS.
I'll think over what you've
said and give you a definite an
swer tomorrow night" she fin
iShed. 1t was not what she had
intended to say but she gave hel
companion a warm smile that was
more than half a promise. Nov
let's hurry down. The mail will
be distributed by the time we
get here and I'm eager to hear
from home"
(TO be continued