Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-10-15
Mr..
Mieklejohn.
He Was a Fine Fellow and
Served ah Important Purpose
BY r. A. Mitchell
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

Copyright. 1910. by American Press

ENtiuiu ipuiiillSou WIS COuSlueTeu
nm admirable catch. lie was a fine
fellow In every way and when he
came OF age fell heir TO fortune Of
some $G0O.O0O lie was besieged by
fortune hunting girls.
II was something OF n relief. there
fore. when Mrs. Stctson. an old friend
OF bis mother. reminded him that no
was promised 10 her for visit at her
unprctentious bungalow on Lake Was
sapogie for the last two weeks In Sep
TENDER. He had engaged for this visit
in the spring TO please his mother and
before he had made his round OF house
parties. At that time he looked for
ward to two weeks In Mrs. Stetson's
bungalow ms burying himself In tho
woods. There was TO be no other
guest. and the family consisted only Of
Mrs. Stetson. her son. Roy. aged six
teen, and her daughter. Alice. aged
twenty. Tomlinson was told that It
would not be necessary TO bring even
ing dress; that he would need flannel
shirts and any old clothes he might
possess. His days would be passed In
rowboat aud his evenings In the liv-
ing room OF the bungalow with the
family sitting around table reading
by kerosene lamp.
After being hunted by spinsters
Tomlinson rather liked the idea OF get
ting away by himself. True. there was
Alice Stetson. who might be lying In
wait for him. but II was not improb-
able that he could get away occasion
ally alone for pull over the waters
Of the lake.
II was near the LIST OF October when
Tomlinson was driven up TO the rear
door OF the bungalow-the house faced
the lake and was built on its verge
and the foliage had already begun to
take on Its variegated hues. Mrs.
Stetson and Roy welcomed the guest.
Tomlinson noticed the absence of Miss
Alice and was so we'll bred as to say
that lie hoped she was not from home
He was told that she was In the house,
but would not appear before dinner.
Her mother vaguely limited that there
was reason for her keeping her room
for the present. and from the sympa-
thetic tone IN which the statement
was made Tomlinson inferred that
some sad event had occurred.
Alice came out OF her room rs din
ner was announced. She did not say
anything about the lugubrious event
but she looked intensely sad Indeed.
her eyes were red. an evidence that
she had been weeping. The effort she
made TO seem cheerful was touching
Tomlinson was tempted TO Inquire
what was the cause Of her melancholy.
but was too well bred to trespass on
the sacred feelings OF young girl.
Alice retired 10 her room early In the
evening
The next morning her depression
continued. though Tomlinson noticed
that she ate heartily. Mrs. Stetson
suggested that she show Tomlinson
the beauties OF Wassapogie lake. Alice
cast look OF appeal ut her mother.
as much as 10 say ITS cruel that !
must exert myself to entertain stran-
ger when my heart Is crushed" but
the mother insisted. telling her daugh-
ter that the fresh air would raise her
spirits and that she should make an
effort
What kind OF an effort she should
make the mother did not explain. Roy
got out boat. and as Alice stepped
into 1t dressed In very becoming
blouse and short skirt Tomllnson
noticed that she possessed foot and
ankle the curves OF which were very
delIcately turned. She asked Roy II he
was not going with them. and when
he said he was going instead for
ducks she gave him reproachful
glance Tomlinson. relieved at Roy's
refusal. took the oars and pulled away
from the front porch. which served as
n landing for the little bungalow bur
led under trees and shrubbery. dip
ping his oars into water lilies. then
gliding away into deep water
There was an autumn crispness In
the air. and Tomlinson wished the lady
were In a better condition 10 enjoy II
with him. lie drew her into conversa-
ton and sooa learned the cause OF her
distress. When he admired a clump of
trees on the crest OF knoll she said,
"Mr. Miellejohn always admired that"
When he pulled into little cove with
a tiny beach overhung with wildwood
and remarked what a charming spot II
was she replied sadly. Mr.. Mieklc-
john and always used to pull in here
when we came out boating"
"May I ask who Mr. Mieklejohn isf"
"Ohw This was an exclamation as
though she had unwittingly betrayed
herself Mr. Mieklejohh Is very
good friend OF ours. Tie left US yester-
day morning Just before you came"
II was all out. This bee Mieklcjohn
had been there. had captured the prize
and there was no sweetness left for
poor TomInson.
Pardon me-" he said. with sus-
picion OF hauteur Il did not know that
was trcspassing on sacred ground"
"Oh. no. ! assure you you quite mis-
take me-"
"ln what respect:"
Ia 4 n Ia. l..