The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-12-23
in A SHANTY.

"Mr. Alwade, this is Melth, the cook"
As old Mrs. Watson spoke thus briefly,
Wallace Alwade turned partly around,
facing the small, delicate woman. who
stood but partially revealed in the shad-
ows of the long, low-roofed shanty.
For one instant he stood gazing in
tently into the pale face Of the timid,
retiring creature before him, then ex-
tended his hand, with polite bow and
pleasant word Of greeting.
"Melth. the cook"
What thrill shot through his heart Mt
the mention of the name. As their hands
clasped in the dim freight, and he
gazed down into the pale face of the
shrinking figure before him, Wallace
Alwade's mind grew troubled.
That face, 80 thin and pale, with long
ing, regetful shadows lurking in the
violet eyes. touched a half-forgotten chord
in his bachelor heart. 1t was but
dreamy reflection Of the past, however.
He remembered where he was, and
turned away without thinking deeply.
IL was not likely that an almost forgotten
dream would meet with fruition in place
like this, dingy lumber shanty in the
heart of the great pine woods.
A minute later the jingle of sleigh
bells cut the frosty night air.
"Well, Mrs. Watson, 1 must be going"
said the lumber dealer, turning toward
the door.
won't you stay all night, Mr.. Al
wade?"
Impossible, my good woman. have
important business TO attend to in town.
/ find that your husband is managing
affairs very well in the woods. / think I
can safely trust him to go on with the
job"
'Tattlers' tongues to the contrary,
eh?' returned the rosy-faced matron,
with a ripping laugh.
Eyes, the stories / have heard are all
false, Mrs. Watson. / shan't trouble
myself about these flying reports again,
rest assured"
'Thank you, Mr.. Alwade. My hus-
band shall know Of your generosity"
Facts are stubborn things" returned
Alwade. ''The job is progressing well
under Mr.. Watson's management, and /
am only too glad to place the credit
where it belongs"
Thus speaking the rich lumberman
left the room and entered the sleigh thai
stood waiting ut the door.
Speeding over the glistening snow,
under the tall pines, with the keen win.
ter air cutting like n knife, Wallace AL
wade felt strangely invigorated after
contact with the close air of the lumber
shanty.
That evening, after reaching his room
Alwade found time for reflection. The
face Of "Melth, the cook, pale, worn
and timid, haunted him once more
like the dim memory Of q half-forgotter
dream. Why did he give the pale-faceC
shanty cook q second thought? Simpl,
because this wns not the first time h,
had seen that face. In pondering owe
the subject, Alwade came suddenly int
full knowledge why he had been 8,
strangely affected ut meeting Melth.
A vision Of the long ago was befor
him. He stood under the gaslight plead
ing for.the love Of as beautiful q girl q
the sun ever shone on. He could SCI
the naughty curl of the full red lips, SCI
the scornful fash of those violet eyes
and even feel the sting Of the words tina
fell from the maiden's lips, refusing him
laughing to scorn all his passionate plead
ings; and all because he wds but poo
law student, without name or fortune ii
the world. His hopes we're crushed for
ever. He went our into the world with
bitter pain in his heart, yet unable eve
then 10 conquer the love that had mas
tered him so utterly.
That was twelve years ago; twelv
painful years to Wallace Alwade. Ou
West, under the shadows of the Mich
gan pines, he had built up fortune
and stood one of the foremost men j
the strong, vigorous young State wher
our story is located. For twelve yeai
he had heard nothing of Meltha Bayn'
Was it wonderful. then, that he failed
recognize in 'Melth, the cook, the sci
willed, imperious beauty who had SCOTT
ed him in his youth.
After hours Of thought he was NJ
fully satisfied. 1t could not be tn
Meltha Bayne had fallen so low as this,
cook in one Of his logging shanties
That night the face of Melth haunts
the rich lumberman, and at earliest dav
he was once more seated behind b
magnificent bays speeding rapidly in
the great woods.
"Gone" exclaimed the lumberma
seemingly staggered at a studded revel
ton.
eyes. She must have slipped off
the night some time," said Mrs. Watso
looking her surprise at the strange int
est her employer took in the little fad
cook. "It don't matter n great de
though" continued Mrs. Watson. "N
husband can hunt up another won
right quick"
Wallace Alwade stood warming
hands by the fire.
"She went in the night, you say?"
"Yes, or very early this morning"
'why did she go?'
Cant say"
Perhaps she left some word, O n
or something?"
'sNot thing"
"She must have been brave to dar
cold winters night for the sake Of leav
here unseen"
"It's queer, very queer" muttered
woman. "Melth and agreed perfect
I can't see what cause she had
leaving."
Alwads turned hurrisdly 10 dep