The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-14
CHAPTER 1.
"year 70 Natures Heart"

sunbonnet? / suppose she is on par with
her surroundings"
Gladys Middleton glanced scornfully about
the little ROOM
Her brother Claude Cor Buster" as he
preferred TO be called looked a triiie crest
fallen at the girls disapproval. and his eyes
followed hers on a tour of inspection. But
where she saw only a plain apartment
with walls grotesquely lined with newspa-
pers in varying conditions of age. deal
table whose only ornaments were Biaie
and an album. and a stairway running up
TO the second floor, the brothey noted a
general air OF coy comfort and innate re-
finement that extended from the Towering
plants In the window TO the cupboard fuil
OF tin dishes and kitchen utensils.
Brother and sister were strangely out OF
place amid such surroundings From the
looks of their faultless riding clothes, the
pair might have stepped out of bandboS.
They were the twin son and daughter or
Thomas Middleton. senior partner of the
prominent New York firm of contractors.
Middleton & Blessing.
lie firm was engaged in building an aque-
duct on Lost River the stream which flows
through the little summer resort of the
same NAME in Southern Indiana.
The Junior partner. Mr.. Robert blessing.
had come out in person to supervise the
work A few days earlier Mr.. Middleton
had sent his son and daughter to Lost Riv-
er on vacation.
There had been a double purpose in this:
First, TO cradle Buster" "a Harvard senior)
to learn something of the work done by the
firm: second. to allow Gladys TO be near Bob
Blessing. to whom she was engaged.
The twins as well as Blessing. were stop
ping at the local hotel Buster was enjoy
ing every minute OF his stay. Gladys spent
most of her time lin company with the city
girls who were sumrnering at the hoteD in
sneering at everything about her.
To-day Bob had told the pair OF a pretty
little cottare some miles from the hotel,
where lived a beautiful daughter OF nature.
who kent up the farm and cared for her
aged grandmother n type of local character
sure to amuse city folk.
BLESSING had suggested that they all three
ride out TO the Gates cottage. rs It was
called. for dinner. The twins. accompanied
by Pickles. their groom. had started ahead,
leaving Bob to follow when he should have
finished bit of engineering In the aque-
duct.
They found the cottage apparently de-
serted when they took possession.
III yoa think Tn going to dine In this
eqralid place you're mistaken" broke out
Gladys. after her survey of the room.
but what's the matter with it?''
Its not the place for a lady. IT'S a
common farmhouse"
why. go II is!'' exclaimed her brother as
II the idea had Just dawned on him DO
you know, I've been wondering why there
were no Persian rugs over this hardwood
floor? No old masters hanging on these
tapestried walls. and no array of priceless
gold and silver plate on yon antique side
board? I had expected to find all those
things lying around loose at Lost River.
IND. Tho reason they aren't on deck here
IL because this Is actually q farmhouse.
And Il remained for my sisters Sherlock
Holmes instinct to get next that fact. Has
ten! Let 10 depart ere the contagion smites
us!''
Il wish you'd stop trying to be humor-
Gus" replied Gladys. petulantly. and try
20 find some OF the creatures that live In
this hole. We can leave word with them
Tor Bob that we've ridden back"
Al she spoke. Z eetlebrowed, bearded
man slouched into the room.
IT'S Bill Loucls, the tolieate keeper, /"
said Buster to Gladys. 81 remember Bob
said he boarded here-he and Ezra Cookus,
the bus driver. who leads the local orohes-
ira At the hotel hops. say. my friend,,'
he went on, addressing Bill, "can you tell
me
Tho rustic had stood gaping at him. Now
= q Na ~ tSsk,t ~
disappeared into an upper room.
Scarce had he gone when sandy-haired
man. with the narrow. mean face Of q fer
ret. came In
Hello. Esrar called Buster. .'can you
-
A second roar Of laughter ana second
exit UP the stairway answered him.
rs this q crazy house. or what?" gaspeo
Buster. in Amusement.
Il think. SIR respectfully suggested the
groom from the doorway. They're Jus,
countrymen trytn. to have little fun with
city folks. And"-as the sound Of steps wa.
heard outside-'.here comes Mr.. BLESSING
now. sir
A tail. broad-shouldered young fellow
stepped across the threshold and advanced
toward the brother and sister
Sorry to have kept you waiting" he be
gan. MY horse went lame and had to &c
back to the hotel and borrow q bicycle
Why, hello. Gladysr' noting the girl,
ecornful face. whats up?"
How dared you bring me to q place Fix,
this?" cried the girl. stamping her foot.
Whats the matter with tho place p
asked Bob IN surprise. "Ah!'' he broke Off
glancing out Of the door. "there come.
Ora"
"orar'
.'Yes-the Madonna Of the sunbonnet.
told you about"
As he spoke Bob Blessing turned towart
the door. There. framed by the thresh
old. and against a background Of forest an,
river. he beheld the loveliest picture hi
eyes had ever rested on.
Tbs newcomer was tall, slender, graceful
about her chung the Wild, sweet atmos
phers OF the woodland.
From beneath her sunbonnet she scanned
the guests with big. wondering eyes, like
startled fawn.
Then. - she saw Blessing. bright srnil
lighted up her face.
''oh!" abe exclaimed, ''here already,
remainder you sent q message over sayfn
you-all was comm to dinner. TIL hurr,
up and get It ready"
This 10 Miss Gladys Middleton, Mis-
Jones'" eaid Bob.
'Helloi Pleased to meet you. was III
hostess's cheery greeting, - with GU,
stretched hand she advanced on Gladys.
But the city girl turned away with q cur
nod.