Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-06-12

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, ONE Of CUPID'S !
! WAYS (
By Sarah Lindsay Coleman 2
Copyright, 1903, I
BY McClurc's Newspaper Syndicate

By Sarah Lindsay colsmAn


c-.o.o.o.o.c.oo.o.O.0.o.O-o
The car that went to Overlook park
was crowded; 1t usually was when
there was n promise Of a fine sunset.
Brooks gazed steadily from the win
dow on the unplcturesque side OF the
car. Even when the passengers crowd
ed to the other side to look into the
valley far below them and at the
mountains-mo mountains piled on top OF
mountains--he sat motionless.
As the Country club was passed he
showed some interest.
II was Miss Hilderbrand's afternoon
to pour tea there. Six months before,
when Miss Hilderbrand had poured
tea, Brooks sat on the clubhouse steps.
The laughter Of gay voices had drifted
through the open windows to him. The
club members seemed very gay. Brooks
was club member, but he was not
gay.
An Illness haA sent him to the resort
town to recuperate. Most of the hotel
people belonged to the club, and he had
Joined. 1t seemed to him a good way
to get rid of the time that hung 20
heavily on his hands
But he didn't care for golf, he
couldn't dance, he knew so little OF the
new books and the old pictures, the
thousand and one thIngs they talked
about. He was an alien. Looking I'D,
he saw Miss Hilderbrand on the step
above him
Miss IIilderbrand was the leader Of
the fashionables that ran the Country
club. Her clothes were initiated, her
speeches repeated
Brooks had wondered that 80 re-
served woman could be as popular.
He had noticed that the charm of dis.
unction was In her high bred face,
and then thought no more about her.
Women We're not much In his line
either.
Miss Hilderbrand had smiled down
on him and said that she wanted him
to come In and drink tea with her.
And when she smiled the question OF
her popularity was settled.
After that day Brooks became a real
member OF the club. The women left
younger men to talk to him; the men
slapped him on the back, invited him
to drinks and voted him a fine old
chap.
lie began to enjoy the life and the
new spirit OF friendliness that per
vaded the atmosphere. There was no
more talk Of leaving this circle Of
bright, pretty women and jolly fellows
Brooks realized that he owed the
change to Miss Hilderbrand. Once he
asked her why she had taken him up,
and she replied that she was sorry for
lonely things.
Six months had made new man Of
Brooks. and still he fingered.
People had come and gone, as they
do at resort hotels, but Miss Hilder-
brand had not gone.
The afternoon had again come for
her to pour tea for the club members,
but sine had sent her excuses.
Johnston, a friend and fellow citizen |
OF hers, said that she had gone on the |
mountain to be alone and get a grip |
on herself; that telegram had brought |
her bad news.
The car climbed slowly.
Brooks hadn't the slightest idea what
the trouble was nor what assistance he
could render. There was but one de-
sire IN his honest heart, and that was
to help her. How he would do It hadn't
been revealed. but, with his usual d.
rectness. he had followed her to find
out
ON the mountain top the band play
cd, and gay groups Of people moved IN
every direction.
Brooks came upon Miss Hilderbrand,
solitary In the midst OF the crowd.
The glow Of the sunset was on her,
and as he came up she smiled I'M
steadily
'1'm sorry you've heard It. | leave
tomorrow. | hoped II would not he
found out but OF course everybody
will know"
''I'm not everybody" said Brooks
stoutly. II came because want to
comfort lonely things. What can
dor
Miss HIlderbrand's glance went over
Brooks stout figure and came back TO
his clear eyes. The two faces were IN
sharp contrast - In his the rugged
OF more simple civilization;
In the girls the suggestion OF extreme
culture
"Im glad you came" she said quite
simply. 'Pll like to remember II when
I've become a dressrnaker. That's what
I've been up here deciding what TO do
with myself now that the moneys
swept away. Dressmaklng IL my only
real talent, and" with another attempt
at smile, I'm thought to be such an
accomplished young woman"
But there's McAdoO." Brooks spoke
that name with dlficulty Among the
men there was one he detested, and
It was Miss Hilderbrand's nance.
Haven't you taken him into your ar
He hasn't taken me into his mr..
she said.
Brooks stared at her as though he
had lost his senses.
"Pye been fitted" She looked across
the valleys filling with mist and not at
Brooks.
AAohitF hhF " Dh'"hf DhN |
spoke to herself AZ much as to him.
at had gone on 10 long IT was habit.
II we had cared for each other, we
would have been married long ago"
Bhe turned 10 Brooks But II hurts
ones pride 10 be thrown overheard on
the day one loses the money" she said.
"T'm depressed at the dressmakiDg.
too" she apologlzed.
"IIow'd companion DOR asked
Brooks cautiously.
mot at ALL" said the giri. 1--WE 4
mean temper"
'"rhe old person has the disposition
VI a cherub."
II can't read and sing abominabiy."
"'Twouldn't be required"
"What wouldT
Whatever pleased you"
But" half petulantiy. II don't like
DID ladIea"