The Cairo bulletin., 1908-03-10
The House By The Lake
by Wallace Leonard.


cropped lawn and out over the lake
dotted with many pleasure craft. She
could hear laughter coming from the
water. and 1t only made il all the
harder for her to go away.
But there was the singing but po-
lite little note informing her that
her services were no longer required
and enclosing the customary week :
wages and her ticket back to the
city She knew she was not dis
missed because of incompetency, but
because OF the scarcity of eligible
young men and the superabuniance
of marriageable young ladies with
oyerambtious mothers.
She had known there were OBJ
tections because of the attentions
paid her by some Of the male guests,
and which she had tried hard to
avoid. Her self-possession and re-
fined manners had all been discussed
by the mothers with the marriage
able but less attractive daughters,
and for once they had united and
sent comittee to the management
and demanded Nataile's removal.
THE very idea of her being al
lowed to use the boats on the lake
and walk around on the lawn and
veranda like one of the guests" in
dignantly remarked Miss Allen con-
splcuous for her brick colored red
hair, turned up nose and an impeii-
ment in ner speech, but whose mo-
Their occupied one of the most ex-
pensive suites In the hotel and enter
tanned largely
Such impertinence." chimed in
Miss Clark a school teacher OF I'M
certain age. Why, she actually curls
her hair, yet haunts her innocence
and good manners in the eyes of
men, thinking 20 dazzle them"
And so IT had been until the note
had been the result Poor Natalie.
All she wanted was to be left alone
to earn her living and she had been
delighted at the prospect of spending
the hot summer months at the Lake
side, but now she would have to go
back to the sweltering city and haunt
the employment agencies, and even
II she was successful, as she could
scarcely hope TO be at this dull sea-
son, she would be obliged to live in
a stuffy furnished room in a POOR
quarter. made even more miserable
by its crowded condition.
She packed her simple belongings,
and tears came to the great blue eyes
as she closed the door and slowly
made her way to the managers Office
to bid him good-by.
> She did net find him In, and as
her train did not leave until night
she walked towards the lake out into
the woods all white with dogwood
and purple with violets, and thought
Of her past.
Her mother had died, leaving her
alone, and when the estate had been
settled there was but little left for
Natalie. She had faced the situa-
ton brayely and had secured this po-
'ltion. She thought as she walk
ed along of the cool months she
had spent with her mother in the
and these woods seemed
only tantalizing reminder of that
)ther and happier life. II
At last, unable to restrain herself
onger, she sank down on the soft
green grass and burst into soul
tears. She was still cry
ng when she heard a rustic of the
pushes near her and looked up. She {
Jaw the bushes part and Malcolm
Goodrich stepped into the open.
He started. almost falling back
mong the bushes.
why, Nat" he exclaimed, "in
eayen's name. what are you doing
lere? Is 1t really you, and where
ave you been all this tlme?"
Il have searched everywhere for
GU, and to find you this way! Tell |
lie, Nat, what did you run away for?' '
Why, have been right here part
( the time" she answered, trying 5
ard to hide the traces of her tears |
nd smiling bravely. You know
here was nothing left, so left col, Il
ege, and after a course in short
and accepted the position of stem d
grapher at the hotel up there for :,
ne Summer"
Then she told him of the note and y
s cause. He listened attentively :,
nd said: Poor little grille! Why, =
own that hotel and these woods and :,
lat castle-like house on the hill. I :,
ought it as a Summer home. Do
1u like it? The hotel Is leased for +,
lis season. l was just looking over :.
lie place bit when | heard you >,
'bbing, and now Nat, there is no q
Id of happiness In store for you" =,
But ! leave this evening for the =,
ty. l must find another position n
Now, look here, Nat. You know -,
love you and intended to tell you NC
; and ask you to marry me as soon 9,
| got out Of college. Then your 81
other died, and knew must wait. n
Id then you disappeared as COM
etely as though the earth had open Il,
and swallowed you. IN
She did not answer, but sat silent ~
thinking of the note and the hot m
", and turning suddenly. she ask To-
us il because Won are sorry -