Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-28
By z. A. MICHEL

f+'toAV tohAAAnSon was COnsluere0
an admirable catch. He was fine
fellow In every way and when he
came OF age fell heir TO O fortune of
some 100000. He was besieged by
fortune hunting girls,
IL was something Of relief. there
fore, when Mrs. Stetson, an old friend
OF his mother, reminded him that no
was promised to her for a visit at her
unpretentious bungalow on Lake Was
sapogie for the last two weeks I'm Sep
tember. He had engaged for this visit
In the spring TO please hts 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 as burying himself in the
woods. There was 10 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 IL
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 I'm
a rowboat and his evenings I'm the liv-
Ing room OF the bungalow with the
family sitting around q 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.
1t was near the LIST Of October when
Iomlinson was driven up TO the rear
door OF the bungalow-the house faced
the lake and was built on its verge
ana 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 well bred as TO say
that he hoped she was not from home.
lie was told that she was I'm the house,
but would not appear before dinner.
Her mother vaguely limited that there
was reason for her keeping her room
Tor 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 as 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 10 inquire
what was the cause OF her melancholy.
but was too well. bred to trespass on
the sacred feelings of q young girl
Alice retired to her room early in the
evening
The next morning her depression
continued. though TomliBson noticed
that she ate heartily. Mrs. Stetson
suggested that she show Tomlinson
the beauties OF Wassapogie lake. Alice
cast look Of appeal at her mother,
as much as TO say. It's cruel that |
must exert myself to entertain n 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 n boat. and as Alice stepped
into it dressed in u very becoming
blouse and short skirt Tomlnson
noticed that she possessed foot and
ankle the curves of which were very
dellcately turned. She asked Roy If he
was not going with them. and when
hn al
ducks she gave him q reproachful
glance. Tomllnson. relieved at Roys
refusal. took the oars and pulled away
from the front porch. which served as
landing for the little bungalow bur
led under trees and shrubbery. dip
ping his on-s into water lilies. then
gliding away into deep water.
There was an autumn crlspness I'm
the afr. and Tominson wished the lady
were I'm better condition TO enjoy Il
with him. He drew her into cOnversn.
ton and soon learned the cause Of her
distress. when he admired a clump OF
trees on the crest Of knoll she snid.
"Mr. Mieklejohn always admired that"
When he pulled into n little cove with
n tiny beach overhung with wildwood
and remarked what n charming spot It
was she replied sadly. mr. Mieklc-
john and always used to pull in here
when we came out boating"
MAY ask who Mr.. Mieklejohn is?"
"Oh" This was an exclamation as
though she had unwittlngly betrayed
herself. Mr.. Miekleiohn is very
good friend OF ours lie left us yestsr-
day morning Just before you came"
II was oil out. This bee Mieklejohn
had been there. had captured the prize
and there was no sweetness left for
poor Tomlinson.
Pardon me-" he said, with a sus-
picion OF hauteur. 81 did not know that
I was trespassing on sacred ground"
ooh, no. assure you you quite mis-
take me"
"In what respcct 2"