The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-11-15

up two months later" SAID uIlllaru,
lingering over his goOdby.
Dor urged Phillipa, apparently un-
| aware of the look he bent on her, for
her eyes had the faroff gaze of one
who was seeing visions.
1t was clear morning on the LIST Of
August that billiard walked briskly
down the slope leading from the Hill
crest hotel to the lake and bOathOuSe
| below. On one side stretched the vel
vet eXpanSe of the golf course, where
| chattering group were starting an
early game: on the other was the ten
mis- court, the rackcts of the players
flashing in tie sun. Sounds of FIJI
teen love- reached Hilliard as he step
ped into the launch that was waiting
at the boathouse landing. He gave his
directions and then settled back on the
cushioned seat.
Camp Idle Ease was five miles away,
at the other end Of the lake, Il place
rendered secluded by reason of its
rocky approach. which required the
GOODNESS and precision of n we'll trained
boatman. The launch flashed through
the water at full speed. but not fast
enough 10 suit billiards. impatience. 1t
was weeks since he had bad more
from Phillipa than hasty postal card,
and his blood raced at the thought OF
seeing her As the launch neared the
landing, steered in and out between
the moss greened powders, he scanned
the shore for a glimpse of her. Some
one in Il gray walking skirt was stoop-
ing over a smOldering fire. She raised
her head. 1t was Phillipa.
ooh, Keith" she cried, you've come
at lastw
The hand she held out to him was
brown and hard. The mark of a burn
ran from wrist to elbow. She was
worn and thin, and a tiny furrow
showed between her brows. On the
ground lay pile of pots and pans and
what seemed to be the charred re-
mains of a days baking. But billiard
tactfully ignored the signs. He chat
ted Of mutual acquaintances, of all
that had transpired since he and Phil
Iipa had last met. 1t was only when
he mentioned that he was stopping at
the Hillcrest hotel that Phillipa paused
to refer to her present mode of life
Its beautiful" she declared in Il
tone that held more of challenge than
of comment
"Surer he agreed heartily. "The air
Is simply great! But where are the
others?" he asked, with Il glance at
the seemingly deserted camp.
"Oh, two have gone for walk and
one to pick flowers, and two are writ
ers and have a place where they work
farther up in the woods"
"And one does the dishwashing and
baking and tends the fire." said Hill
lard, with keen glance.
Phillipa flushed.
ITO each his portion" she quoted.
"And to some triple portion. APP
parently this is one Of those camps
! where there is one worker and FIVE
STRIKERS"
"If you came here to criticise"- be-
gan Phillipa.
Far be it from me-" said billiard
hastily. by the way, the day after
tomorrow we're having a hop at the
hotel. 1t promises to be quite an
event"
Il suppose there are a lot of girls
there" said Phillipa, bending to stir
the fire.
"Stunnersw cried Hilliard, with en-
thusiasm "Well, goodby, Phillipa.
I'm awfully glad you're so happy, and
I'll see you soon again"
won't you stay for luncheon"
urged Phillipa in a tone which i'm
piled that he had better not.
Thanks, no. I've got to get back.
Sky looks as if we might have a bit
of u squat, doesn't it? All prepared"
I'VE can take care of ourselves,
think" said Phillipa, with dignity.
billiards. weather prophecy came
true with rapidity and violence that
kept the guests at Hillcrest housed for
two days. 1.-The squall," as billiard
expressed it, "settled into a good long
cry" with the rain coming down i'll
torrents and never clearing till the
night of the dance, when billiard set
off in a sailboat to see Phillipa.
When he reached Camp Idle Ease it
was all in darkness, with every evil
dence that its occupants had retired
for the night The sagging canvas OF
the tents was sodden and blown awry,
the campfire was a dreary smolder of
damp wood and ashes, and as billiard
stepped gropingly forward the ground
ooZed and sozzled underfoot. Sudden
ly from some place on his right came
the sound of a muff1ed sob, and, peer
ing through the blackness, he saw
huddled figure on the rustic bench the
camp possessed There was no mis-
taking that dark head bowed on the
circled arms.
"Phillipar' cried Hilliard.
She raised a startled, tear wet face.
81 thought you were at the-the
hon." she quavered, her voice failing
and breaking on the last word.
without you? Not much''
"But those other girls Phillipa's
tones were still mutfied.
"Girlsw For a moment billiard
was utterly bewildered. Then light
broke in on him. He laughed outright.
why, Phillipa, surely you know
there never was and never will be any
one else but you! AS for the hotel
your aunt and uncle are waiting there
for you now And they've brought
your trunks-all of them. I thought"
he went on, that if you knew how
much 1t meant to me you'd change
your mind and come. You're not an
CRY with me- are your" he added as
Phillipa turned away her head.
Phillipa's voice held. something
strangely like sob.
angry! oh, Keith, before you
came tonight l was the most miserable
girl in the whole wide world! 1 find
the simple life isn't what planned at
all. I'm tired and sick and disguised.
Somehow the brunt of 1t seems to
come on me- All day long l work, and
at night l dream of greasy dishes to
be washed, and a kettle that won't boil,
and tents that let in the rain, and
There, dear, l know. But remem-
Der it's over and done with. And it's
getting late, and your aunt will be
anxious, so hadn't you better run and
tell those other campers that you're
coming with me?"
A few moments later billiards. sail
! boat was skimming in the direction of
the Hillcrest. Phillipa sat in the
stern.
when woman" she unused, "has
to choose between a mode of life and
the man she loves, it doesn't take her
very long to make up her mind. Rus
ITCHY and simplicity may be all very
we'll, but felicity is best, after all!'
Old Pals.
A member of the school board of