Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1908-12-12
Fl Matter Of
ConventlonS
By CLARISSA MACKlE.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

The ramshackle little station. IL p"uS
cd while two passengers alighted, ana
then II hurried off as If 1t was glad 10
get away from such an Insignificant
stopping place.
Elsie Lansing accepted her leather
bag from the taciturn station agent
who at the same time pushed a suit
! case toward the other traveller tali
Young man buttoned up In gray ui-
ster.
"stage here for Greentop| queried
the latter, picking up his grip.
"Not this day" returned the agent
primly. "Jim Laidlaw. he seems TO
think Saturdays made special SOS he
can git a little drunker'n usual! IL
YOU amt expected, you'll have to
walkw With which remark he slam
med the station door and turned the
key.
"Iet me see-its twelve miles to
Greentop. isn't it?" asked the stranger
thoughtfully
Twelve and a half. Straight road
ahead" The agent tramped away
across the platform and disappeared
inside q small cottage perched on tue
high bank above the tracks.
Elsie Lansing looked obviously at
the frozen road stretching away be-
tween pine clad heights, family touch
ed with the early morning sun. she
had Travelled all night and had teie-
graphed for her newly acquired Drotn-
er-in-law to meet her.
There was no sign Of the white mo-
tor ear which had been a part OF the
bridal equipment and which was TO
speed her to the Eyrie, In the Green
mountains. away from civilization ana
It's attendant comforts.
"If YOU are going to Greentop, per-
NIT me to carry your bag" said the
Young man. lifting his hat. ut Is a
stiff walk, but perhaps 1t will stimu-
late an appetite for dinner"
"You are very good" replied Elsie
pleasantly, but my bag is not heavy
and I can easily carry 1t myself"
without further conversation they
left the station and made their way
along the road in the shadow OF the
pines.
It was a crisp day, with a tang OF
early winter in the breath Of the north
wind. It was an invigorating day, with
its stro1g scent of pine and balsom' the
rattle Of crisp, dry cones and the SWEEP
purity of mountain air.
The stranger walked on ahead with
long, swinging strides. His head was
bent thoughtfully, and it was quite evil
dent that he had forgotten the girl
who was struggling to keep pace Will
him. Suddenly he turned and per
celved her.
81 must ask your pardon" he criec
commiseratively. 81 forgot-that Is,
did not realize how fast | was walk
ing. Let me take your bag. You ar'
very tired"
He took 1t from her unresisting hanC
and looked down at the delicate cheeK
mailer by contrast of the fringing dari
lashes.
81 hope it isn't much farther" sh
admitted ruefully Il have been III
and my strength Is fckle."
He stopped and looked about hin
They had come to a slight opening Il
the forest, where the sun streame'
over fallen tree trunks and glinted o.
the surface of tiny brook that woun
its way across the road.
1--WE will rest here" he said, with
note of authority In his voice. Ut
a good deal farther. We have com
perhaps three miles. If you Will le
me take you back to the station l wi
return to Greentop and procure col
veyance Of some sort
mo" she objected, sinking wearil
on to fallen log 81 will be reste
presently. You see, 1 didn't eat an
breakfast, and
mo breakfast he echoed blankl'
81 don't wonder you are tired. wait
minute, pleasew He knelt down betoi
his suit case and unlocked It, From 1
depths Of masculine apparel he brougl
forth a small alcohol stove, a bottle
the necessary liquid and a small tin
beef extract.
Elsie watched him with amused L
terest. With deft fingers he filed al
lighted the lamp and opened the tin
extract. 81 wonder II he is a drul
mer and is demonstrating some OF b
wares"
But there was something in Il
mans thin, intellectual face, with l
nearsighted blue eyes behind thi'
glasses. that belied her estimate. The
was vague familiarity about
movements that puzzled her.
Here" he said, approaching b
with a small silver drinking Gu
drink this. please"
"You are very kind indeed" S
said gratefully. slipping the hot liqu
81 am afraid | am depriving you
your luncheon"
He threw back his head and laugh
heartily. Elsie liked the laugh a
decided that she liked the man.
Excuse me, but you must thi
I'm an old maid - to be traveli
about with that equipment" he sa
you see. have an invalid aunt
Greentop. These are to rejoice l
heartw
81 have bonbons in my bag" c.
fessed Elsie. "Shall we eat themf'
ssr o+,- - bo oceantad payly
When the empty box had be
thrown away and the spirit lamp q
its appurtenances had been return
to the suit case Elsie arose and dl
her furs about her white throat.
81 feel like q new woman" she
gratefully.
nThn Lord forhidr he cried. y