St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-10-16
,PHILLIPA'S
SIMPLE LIFE
BY Constance darcy Mackay.
copyrighted. 1907. by E. c. PARCELS.

and allT leased keith Hlll1ard, smli-
ING as he spoke, for Phillipa Ramsay,
n the role Of reformer, was person
70 coniure with. She wore an air Of
6nalty that Keith had never seen be-
fore and in her dark eyes was the
pleam Of an unalterable purpose. The
box of chocolates that he had brought
n her remained untouched on table
rear by-a silent witness of Phillipa's
change Of heart.
n Even her house dress had touch of
<oornestness. The trailing, shimmering
GOWNS that had always seemed part
and parcel of her personality were re-
# nlaced by gray lhomespun. Her hair
was drawn back smoothly from her
brow and coiled low on the back of
her neck. Most significant of all
n from beneath the edge Of her skirt
neeped forth pair of slippers with
low heels.
Life" said Phillipa seriously, "is
altogether demoralized. We spend too
much time over fuss and feathers. We
are hampered by all this"-a wave of
+he hand included the unobtrusive lux
ury of the Ramsay drawing room, its
hooks and pictures and rosily shaded
lamps. 'If we had just the simple
necessities and no more, think how
Ouietly and sanely we should live.
From this time on am done with the
fris Of existence. And tomorrow I
Il leave for the mountain camp where
shall spend the summer with half a
N dozen people who share the same
Spoint of view"
billiards. lips twitched little.
isn't this rather-rather suddenT
The queried.
ITS none the less sincere" returned
4 Phillipa spiritedly.
"And that means you are done with
the city and the things Of the city
n fOrever|
"Foreverv' echoed Phillipa solemnly.
~Oh. Keith, think how beautiful it is
going to be- Dawn and sunset and
storm and q glimpse Of the stars
through the open tent flap! And to sit
around a blazing fire and eat the
Things prepared with our own hands!
"And where do come in in this new
and splendid scheme? Am | never to
bee you again, or am / to subsist on
ettersp
"If you would only join our colony"
Phllipa glowed with enthusiasm. INF.
lind Mrs. Marsden and Richard Fen
wick and
ut sounds alluring, but meantime
THAT would become Of my clients?"
You could give up the law alto
kether," said Phillipa serenely, land
ecome woodsman."
81 This is only June. Perhaps I'll run
two months later" said billiard
hgering over his goodby.
"Do" urged Phillipa, apparently un
aware of the look he bent on her, fol
bier eyes had the faroff gaze of one
who was seeing visions.
II was a clear morning on the LIST o.
August that billiard walked brisk,
down the slope leading from the Hill
crest hotel to the lake and boathous'
below. On one side stretched the vel
vet expanse of the golf course, where
&c rhattering group were starting al
W early game; on the other was the ten
I'd nis court. the rackets of the player
flashing in the sun. Sounds or I'll
teen lover reached Hilliard as he step
. ped into the launch that was waitln
BIT the boathouse landing. He gave hl
iirectIons and then settled back on tn
kushiOned seat.
Camp Idle Ease was five miles away
bit the other end Of the lake. plac
m rendered secluded by reason OF II
. Rocky approach. which required tn
GOODNESS aud precision of well traine
ne oatman. The launch flashed throug
he water at full speed, but not fas
Enough TO suit billiards impatience
- was weeks since he had had MOI
w from Phillipa than hasty postal car
Rnd his blood raced at the thought
seeing her. AS the launch neared IL
andng, steered in and out betwee
the moss greened powders, he scannt
he shore for glimpse of her. Son
pne in gray walking skirt was stoo
ng over smoldering fire. She raise
"a Der head. 1t was Phillipa.
"0h, Keith" she cried, you've con
lastv'
The hand she held out to him W
brown and hard. The mark of bu
= ban from wrist to elbow. She W
worn and thin, and tiny furro
howed between her brows. On t
Ground lay a pile Of pots and pans a.
what seemed to be the charred
mains of days baking. But Hillia
hctfully ignored the signs. He chi
Ped Of mutual acquaintances, Oh
That had TRANSFERRED since he and III
pa had last met. 1t was only WI
be mentioned that he was, stopping
the Hillcrest hotel that Phillipa paus
70 refer to her present mode of life.
TITS beautifulp' she declared in
Zone that held more of challenge tn
Of comment.
Sure" he agreed heartily. "The
IS simply great! But where are
elhers?" he asked, with a glance
ne seemingly deserted camp.
r. oh, two have gone for walk
- One to pick flowers, and two are W