The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-07-24


walked toward the lake out into the
woods all white with dogwood and
purple with violets.
They seemed even more beautiful be-
cause Of her enforced departure and
she could not keep back the tears that
crowded into her eyes or the pain at
the thought Of the struggle Of the mast
year that she must resume again East
when she thought she was going to be
SO happy.
Her noGher Sad died, leaving hes
alone and when the estate had been
settled there was but little left for
Natalie. She had faced the situation
bravely and had secured this position
for the summer to be among the birds
and flowers she loved SO well.
She thought, as she walked along,
OF the cool months she had spent with
her mother in the mountains and these
woods seemed only a tantalizing re-
minder Of that other and happier life
At last unable to restrain herself
longer she sank down on the soft green
grass and burst into soul-refreshing
tears. She was still crying when she
heard rustic Of the bushes near her
and looking up, could scarcely believe
what she saw,
Why, Steve" she stammered.
Why, Miss Natalie" he blurted.
She pinched herself and rubbed her
eyes to be sure she was not dreaming.
Yes, it was Steve (Malcolm's mani,
sure enough a ghost of that other life
come to haunt her and make her more
miserable, she thought. She started to
speak, but just as she did the bushes
parted again and Malcolm Goodrich
himself stepped into the breach.
He started, almost falling hack
among the bushes.
why, Nat" he exclaimed, sin heav-
ems name, what are you doing here?
Is 1t really you, and where have you
been all this timer
He threw himself down on the grass
beside her and motioned Steve away.
Why Nat, have searched every
where for you and to find you this
way. Tell me, Nat, what did you run
away for without letting fellow know
where you were going, and tell me
what you have been doing all this
time"
Why, / have been right here part
Of the time" she answered, trying hard
to hide the traces of her tears and
smiling bravely. 'You know there
was nothing left, SO left college and
after a course in shorthand accepted
the position of stenographer at the ho-
tel up there for the summer"
Then she told him of the note and its
cause. He listened attentively and
said, Poor little grille! Why | own
that hotel and these woods and that
castle like house on the hill command
ing such splendid view the lake. |
bought it for summer home; do you
like it?
THE hotel is leased for this season,
but next year am going to turn it in
to a golf club, clearing away part OF
these woods to enlarge the links. l
was just looking over the place. bit
when had the good fortune to run
across you, and now Nat there is no
end of happiness in store for you"
But leave this evening for the
city, l must find another position"
Now, look here, Nat, why don't you
stay right here? You know love you
and intended to tell you so, and ask
you to marry me as soon as | got
out of college. Then your mother died
and knew l must wait, and then
you disappeared as completely as
though the earth had opened and swal-
lowed you"
She did not answer but sat silently
thinking Of the note and the hot city,
and turning suddenly, she asked, rs
it because you are sorry for me that
you are asking me, Malcolm?"
why, bless you, Nat, it's because
love you and have loved you ever
since we were Riddles, and your hat
fell into the brook and l waded in
and rescued it and was soundly spank
ed for getting wet"
They laughed at the happy recollec-
ton and as he took her in his arms she
nestled closer and gazed silently across
the lake to the house overlooking it
that was to be their home.-From the
New York Evening Journal.