The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-27

dining room several ehaperones were
gossiping obivious to the fact that the
dark-eyed creole girl from Bayou La
Teche was flirting outrageously with the
young doctor from New Orleans; or that
the Miss Merrill from Baton Rouge was
eating no breakfast because of a quarrel
with her young colonel, who looked very
dignlfled and severe from his place at the
head of the table.
'IIow beautiful Miss Tremway looks
this morning." remarked someone. turn
ing the attention to Edith and Sterling.
THAT is Miss Tremway's normal condi-
ton" quickly responded another.
Edith sat silent, listening, her hands
clds.,ed loosely on the table before her.
Sterling was leaning forward, his eyes
en- her face, his body tense and nerved,
talking as for life itself.
who Is the mani" 1ealously inquired
the governors secretary.
Everyone laughed. The secretary's in
fatuation for Edith had been an open Sc
cret since the beginning of the trip.
No one seemed to know Sterling Cos
sipy old Mrs. Guerrard laid down her
chop and remarked as though to see the
effects or the others: isn't it a pity that
Miss Trenlway will never marry?'
| 'What?' exclaimed the secretary, his
poised coffee spoon tinkling to the floor.
oh I suppose you all knew" calmly
!! fabricated the old lady.
No. no. Do tell usi' they all Choir
used in subdued, expectant voices.
delightfully."- the old lady gave her NOR
| sci Of information. you remember Miss
Jane De Neville, do you not the aunt who
| brought up Edith. and to whom she owes
! 30 much? On her death bed she had her
niece solemnly promise that she would
marry no man on this earth. l was pres
ent at the time, and heard Edith repeat
the words after her, though 1t bad re-
| qulred several days OF persuasion to ac-
ccnplish the result. Miss Jane was very
eccentric. you know. Had no confidence
| in men. Hated them with all her SOUL"
| 'Oh, but really exclaimed the Baton
Rouge girl, you don't suppose she in
tends to keep that promise? 1t was only
given to ease her aunt's departing SOUL"
Indeed she does, and more's the pity,
| IT rumor was correct in saying that the
| time the promise was given she was en-
gagged to a very brilliant young con-
gresham" finished the old lady.
The detected looking secretary showed In
his chair and left the table.
The shril whistle of the dummy train
about to leave for the cave soon emptied
the dining room. Edith and Sterling were
the last to leave.
She was very pale. but walked by his
side with determined step toward the
train. The governor stood putting a.
Catching sight of Sterling, he exclaimed
as he came hurriedly forward: We'll.
well, bless my soul, John Sterling. Did
you just rain down, or did you come up
out of the ground. How politics down in
| Alabama?"
Sterling laughingy shook hands, an
swered dozen questions that were fred
at him, and then, when he could quietly
do so. requested the governor to go back
into the car with them
When shortly the three emerged the
governors wife and the genial bishop
came forth also. and all walked quickly
to the waiting dummy. "All aboard was
called and the train plunged into the
| forest.
The sun was creeping high over the
Kentucky hills. The woods were green
and inviting, and from the rocky noun
| tainsides tangle of jessamine and wild
| honeysuckle filled the air with fragrance
| On through miles of exquisite scenery,
| of wild woods, cool streams and green
| valleys the little train rushed, until final
| ly 1t halted In front of a low, rambling
hotel, surrounded by apple trees In full
bloom, and set In a dense forest that one
might easily imagine to have been the
Forest of Arden, so green the turf under
foot, SO luxuriant the foliage overhead.
Piazzas ran the full length of the long.
quaint house. Between each square post
The colonial hall opened wide on an ell
and piazza at the back. showing glimpse
of khe verdant mountainside beyond
- the crowd began filing the house
a onorous voice called mechanically,
n Ills way, ladies. for your bioomer suits.
Y 1t way. gentlemen, for the overalls,
4 and lamps. Dinner from to ~
Everything was confusion for while.
rites securing guides and lamps. Peo-
PIE were rushing hither and thither Some
of the newly donned costumes were ludi-
crous.
Ono friend would hail another. as he
appeared In ill-f1tting overalls, Say, Jim,
go down and fetch up that coal hod, will
your"
would be the retort.
The women In their bloomer suits were
blushing and trying to hide behind one
another. H1ldred Legarde ran up to
Edith and exclaimed, why, Edith, are
you going into the cave in that lovely
gray gown" But before she was an
swered she was whisked off with her
party.
Sterling turned quickly and looked Edith
oy er from head to foot. He then hurried
to the mems dressing room. After
time he returned bearing in triumph two
OLD linen busters. One he presented to
tile governors wife, and the other he held
out for Edith.
1t was noticed that neither Sterling,
the governor nor the bishop wore over
alls. 1t was time for their party to
start. and Edith was glad to note that
The party was CompVseu OF most OF her
best friends on the trip.
Sterling was introduced to them all, and
he start was mado.
On went the guide, along winding |
pathway of gravel, under dropping trees |
of oak maple and cedar. The loneliness |
of the forest would have gladdened the |
soul of an artist.
The lichens ami vines hanging from the |
gray rocks in the morntAinsidc: the f,s- |
I. ons OF trumpet flower and wild CRAZE; |
the varying tints of green in the spr.rg |
dress OF the virgin trees; the dew
drenched violets, all proclaimed that ma
ture had scattered her gifts among these |
hills with lavish hand.
The soft white petals of the wild plum |
flower showered softly down.
The breeze came sweet with the scent
of honeysuckle and,
"A bird o'erhead sang follow;
And a bird to the right sang 'here!'
And the arch In the leaves was hollow,
And the meaning of May was clear"
sharp turn, and there, set in frame
work of MOSES and ferns, appeared the
opening of the cave
At the left, squirting out from the rock
overhead a miniature waterfall sparkled
in the sunlight. A halt was made here
for a party just entering the cave to
gain Roadway.
Sterling walked over to the waterfall
and gathered O cluster of fresh maiden