The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-04-15
ONE Of CUPID'S
w A Y s
By Sarah Lindsay Coleman
Copyright 1908,
bH McChrcs Newspaper Syndicate


was crowded; ii usually was when
there was promise of a fine sunset.
Brooks gazed steadily from the Win
dow ON the unpicturesque 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 mountains piled on top of
mountains he sat motionless.
As the Country club was passed he
showed some interest
1t was Miss IIilderbrand's afternoon
to pour tea there. Six months before.
when Miss Hilderhrand 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 II club member, but he was not
gay.
An illness had sent him to the resort
town to rccuperate. Most of the hotel
people belonged to the club, and he had
joined, 1t seemed to him Il good way
10 get rid of the time that hung SO
heavily on his hands.
But he didn't care for golf, ne
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 up,
he saw Miss llilderbrand on the step
above him
Miss llilderbrand was the leader of
the fashionables that ran the Country
club. Her clothes were initiated. her
speeches repeated.
Brooks had wondered that SO re
served woman could be as popular
lie had noticed that the charm of dis
tinction WIS in her high bred face,
and then thought no more about her.
Women We're not much In his line
either.
Miss llilderhrand 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 II real
member of the club The women left
younger men 10 talk to him; the men
slapped him on the back, invited him
to drinks and voted him IL fine old
clap.
lie began TO enjoy the life and the
new spirit of friendiness tnat 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 Hilderbrnnd Once he
asked her why she had taken him up,
and she replied that she was sorry for
lonely things.
Six months had made II new man of
Brooks, and still he fingered.
People had come and gone, as they
do at resort hotels, but Miss Hllder-
brand had not gone.
The afternoon had again come for
her to pour tea for the club members,
but she had sent her excuses
Johnston, II friend and fellow citizen
of hers. said that she had gone on the
mountain to be alone and get grip
on herself; that Il telegram had brought
her bad news.
The ear 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 1t hadn't
been revealed, but, with his usual d.
rectness. he had followed her to find
out
ON the mountain top the band play
ed. and gay groups of people moved IN
every direction.
Brooks came upon Miss IIilderbrand,
solitary i'll the midst of the crowd.
The glow Of the sunset was on her,
and as he came up she smiled I'M
steadily
I'm sorry you've heard it. | leave
tomorrow. hoped 1t would not be
found out but of course everybody
will know"
I'm not everybody" said Brooks
stoutly. 81 came because want to
comfort lonely things, What can l
do?"
Miss IIilderbrand' glance went over
Brooks stout figure and came back to
his clear eyes The two faces We're In
sharp contrast = in his the rugged
strength of a more simple civilization;
in the girls the suggestion of extreme
culture
I'm glad you came she said quite
simply. "I'll like to remember 1t when
I've become a dressmaker. That's what
Eve been up here deciding what to do
with myself now that the moneys
swept away Dressmaking il my only
real talent, and" with another attempt
at a smile, I'm thought to be such an
accomplished young woman"
But there's McAdoo." Brooks spoke
that name with difficulty. Among the
men there was one he detested, and
it was Miss Hilderbrand's fance.
Haven't you taken him into your ar
rangementsI'
He hasn't taken me into his ar
rangements." she said.
Brooks stared at her as though he
had lost his senses.
"I've been Tilted" She looked across
the valleys filling with mist and not at
Brooks
Habits are hard to break" She
spoke to herself as much as to him
ut had gone on so long 1t was a habit
If we had cared for each other we
would have been married long ago"
She turned to Brooks But It hurts
ones pride TO be thrown overheard on
the day one loses the money" she said.
I'm depressed at the dressmaking.
too" she apologiZed.
How'd a companion ,lof" asked
Brooks cautiously.
mot at ALL" said the girl. 1--WE q
mean temper.
The old person has the disposition
Of cherab.'
Il cant read and sing abominably."
"'Twouldn't be required"
what wouldT'
Whatever pleased you
But" half petulantly, Il don't like
old ladies'" Fl
This Is an old gentleman"
Twouldn't do; highly improper"
ooh, yes 1t would! It's eminently re-
spectacle" Brooks got to his feet and