not like it used to be. I do
not feel safe. There seems to be danger everywhere."

Hurrying as fast as possible across the open space and casting
apprehensive glances up the bank lest another pole should take a sudden
notion to come down, they soon reached the woods beyond.

"There, I feel safer now," Betty panted. "Those poles can't touch us,
anyway."

"I did want to see the falls," David replied, "and I am quite
disappointed. But I do not feel able to try the trip again as it tires
me too much."

"Suppose we ask Mr. Jasper to drive you there," Betty suggested. "I
know he will be only too pleased to do it. Isn't it funny we didn't
think of that before?"

"That is a good idea," David assented. "Maybe he will do it to-morrow.
But what's the matter, girl?" he demanded, looking with surprise upon
Betty, who had suddenly stopped and was staring down upon the brook
through an opening among the trees.

"Look," she whispered, pointing with her finger, "there is that artist
sketching down below. He doesn't know we are here, so let us be as
quiet as possible."

"Well, why should he startle you?" David enquired. "He is not
troubling us. I'm not afraid of him. In fact, I feel inclined to go
and have a talk with him."

"Don't, please don't," and the girl laid her right hand imploringly on
his arm. "Let us go home at once, for I feel shaky all over."

"Very well, then," David assented. "But I wish you would get over your
foolish notion about that man. He is merely a harmless artist who has
come to this place to get some good pictures. Why can't you be
sensible?"

CHAPTER XXIII

RESCUED

Jasper had charge of fixing the poles and stretching the wires for
light and power between the city and the falls, as well as throughout
the country wherever it was planned to extend them. Gangs of men were
at work along the lines, and Jasper was kept busy moving from place to
place giving instructions and supervising everything. The entire
responsibility rested upon him, and he wished to prove worthy of the
trust.

The afternoon when David and Betty were up the brook, Jasper remained
closer than usual to Creekdale, where a number of men were working.
Opposite them a small island nestled out in the river, called "Emerald"
Island by reason of its rich covering of fir, pine and birch trees. As
a rule, Jasper paid strict attention to his duties, but to-day his mind
often wandered and he would stand gazing out o