Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-02-05

M~X@I The lake itself spread
~ from the front piazza in
E==Sss57=l an expanse of light blue in
sunshine and dark blue in shadow. Its
surface crinkled into white under the
stroke Of strong breees. It's precipitous
shores were swathed in hemlock and
balsam pine, and re healthy resinous
odors Of these invaded the nostrils. The
prevailing colors of t. IS landscape and
waterscape were Dlue and green-dark
green. The air was like wine. Nothing
lacked to make Belleview house and
Long lake summer paradise, except
men.
He came, and Of course, made COM
motion. The commotion was decorous
and under the surface, but 1t was there.
One of the girls, gazing disconsolately
from her window near noon, saw him
dismount from the red road cart of the
hotel He distracted valise and a
couple of fishing rod cases in bust
nesslike way and walked into the office
He was out of her sight, but not out Of
her mind. She went in succession to
the rooms of the other IA, raped on
the doors, called softly through the
transoms: "A mani" and hurried to
dress. A little later, grouped about the
register, they read his name: "Har-
vey Rowland, New York." written In
large, black, sprawling hand. Curious
ly enough, the writing seemed to con-
vey that the fingers which held the pen
were used to something heavier. The
man himself. the badgered clerk said,
had Immediately taken boat and gone
out to catch fish; he would not return
before dinner. This was unsatisfactory,
but better than nothing; he was there,
anyhow.
The girl who had seen him became
center. Really, she had seen only
sturdy figure under a soft brown hat,
but she was not hampered In drawing
his portrait. He was young. strong,
we'll dressed, evidently of refinement.
She should say that he had blue eyes
and a sweeping golden mustache. One
hand was gloved, but the other was
white and shapely, and she thought that
she had noticed brilliant upon fn-
ger. When she had detailed the story
for the tenth time she knew the man
so well that she felt akin to him; she
would have known him anywhere.
They saw him that night at dinner
and took stock. He varied in partlcu-
lars from the verbal pictures. He was
more than 80, heavily built, with dark
skin, plenty of black hair and dark
gray eyes. He had mustache but II
was as jetty as the wing Of raven. He
was quiet in demeanor, surveying them
casually and respectfully, but without
tremor He had large chin and res
olute jaw. His hands we're brown and
owerful-capable looking hands. He
spoke seldom. in deep, even voice, and
he had an excellent appetite. After
dinner he did not hang about the piaz-
zas waiting to be introduced. but, know
ing the thing in store for him. walked
into the woods, where he smoked
cigar, and, returning, went to bed. He
was voted distinctly Disappointing
Among these young women, some Of
whom were chaperoned and some were
not, was Winifred Bray-unchaper-
oned. She was % years old, and able
to take care of herself. She was a wo-
man OF the world and a woman work
era writer for magazines and the
press-and had come to the lake for
rest. She liked solitude; the man liked
solitude Since they wanted to be
alone. they found themselves myster-
iously drawn together There was
something in her which led him to
seek her society; there was something
in him which compelled her Her alb
sorption Of him did not please her
women acquaintance, and she did not
care. AS for Rowland, he knew moth
ing about It. It is sure that II made
aware Of It. he would have cared even
less than she. In respect to his life
and deeds he was a singular man.
He found II sweet that summer. Love
is the noblest passion Of which human
ity is capable, but in its origin. at least,
II is sexual and propinqulty Is the
strongest factor IN its creation. At the
far end OF the boat was an olive face
with serious brown eyes. red lips and
rounded cheeks and chin. Her figure
was strong, upright and beautifully,
nodded her voice firm and tuneful
They had mapv things in common.
Their likes and dlsllkes suited. He had
Travelled in many countries and had
seemingly the intricacles Of the Euro
pean capitals at his tongues end; she
had read wisely and experienced much.
She grew into his heart and became a
part Of II. Being sensible. she under
went no lengthy throes Of mental dis
section in the effort to determineI
whether or not she liked him. She
loved him and knew that she loved
him. and she waited for him to speak.
Rowland was not good man. but he
was strong mentally and physically.
There had been much in his life 10
make him a hater Of the world. Hith-
erto he had not been worried by the
fact that he dwelt apart from his kind
he had rather liked Il. Now II seemed
to him that he had missed much. He
could not condemn the woman 10 life
Of solItude-and there weere other rea-
sons why he should not take her to