The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-27
Not on the Edrth-An Easter Stor
BY MrrTIE OWEN MDAvID.
The Legend of Mammoth Cave Moder

Rubbing the mist from the car window.
Sterling gazed out on the flying gray
landscape, moving like prismatic dream
pictures through the fog, until finally
drowsiness overlook him and he slept,
with his head leaning against the glass.
Day was breaking on another Easter
morn, and the star that lighted the shep-
herds of old still shone, stretching its
long light beams, struggling bravely, now
faint. now clear, through the heavy mists.
| The train had been delayed several
! hours by washout further up the road,
and the few who had arisen early in the
hope of spending the Easter day with
loved ones were chatting at the delay.
| Some cast envious glances at the man
who could sleep in a train running W
miles an hour making time.
| 1t was the hour after dawn. The sun
had not yet peeped above the horizon, but
| the dawn gave promise of an ideal Ken
lucky day.
|. Glasgow Junction sir" yelled a voice
above the roar of the train. and Sterling
rudely aroused from his nap, caught up
his cap and followed his suitcase In the
hands of tho ebony -colored porter. Swing
| ing from the car, more asleep than
| awake, he had difficulty in locating his
| bearings on account of the heavy fog
which enyeloped everything, but at length
he walked down the hill toward the vine
covered hotel which he espied shining
through The mist.
few lazy individuals loled in the
porch chairs. Sterling dropped into a
! seat and Logan a survey of his surround
Jugs.
Across the track struggling line of
souvenir shops greeted him. Besides the
neat station these appeared to be the
Ite,fa aftfx
! Reyond arose the sloping hilsides in va
ried tints of green and blue. sparkling
through the silver landings of early
morning mists.
Sterling stretched. his arms and
| breathed in the dewey freshness. The
air was cool and bracing and soon he
felt thoroughly awake and active, and
also keenly alive to the fact that he pos
sessed healthy appetite.
Acting on the strength of this he went
| in 10 inquire as to the breakfast hour
we arc awaiting special from Wash
ington. sir, bearing the governor of Louis
lana his staff and quite a large party
of southeTners," answered the clerk.
! AS he spoke a long, hoarse whistle was
| heard In the Distance and soon the train
came laundering into the station.
| Hardly had 1t come to a. stop before
| there began to pour off stream of peo-
pie, laughing. calling; in fact the gayest
party one often has the good fortune to
meet The uniforms of the men glistened
| In the early morning sun. The women
| we're chattering merrily In groups. The
distinguished governor, with the Bishop
| of Louisiana stood on the steps, declar-
| ing that they were not tired of the fare
| on board, and as they had before ex-
| plored the wonders of the cave refused
to leave the comforts of their own car
| Just behind a slight figure in gray
q ra6 nd yo1I q Ix
assisted her to alight. Sterling caught a
| fleeing glimpse of heliotrope ruffles on
| her dainty silk skirt, and the color
| brought back to him with a pang the
memory of another who wore just such
ruffles, and whose favorite color was hell
| otrope.
The girls face was hidden in a SOFT
white veil, but her quick. well-poised walk
seemed strangely familiar.
The hotel piazza was rapidly filling,
| but Sterling pushed through the crowd
| and stood with folded arms awaiting her
approach. AS she came nearer she raised
her veil, and he, unable to suppress his
| joy, sprang forward to meet her.
80 1t was you. after ALL he said. Her
color came and went, and her chin went
! up as she stiffly began, II believe we mad
| decided 1t were best not to meet again.
| =
you do not wish a scene, l am sure"
| the arm, led her across the piazza to a
| secluded corner and seated her before her
| bewiIdered senses could accept the situa
| tion.
| She was on her feet again in an in
slant, and with the little impatient GEES
| ture he knew so we'll she pushed the
| fair gold. hair back from her forehead
and demanded. by what right do you
take possession of me like this, Mr.. Ster-
lng?"
At that moment it was announced that
breakfast was served
Edith Sterling was saying, Fate has
done this. She brought us two from the
far ends of America to meet today In this
enchanted spot and why should you and
I fight against the inevitable? Why
should you condemn me to a miserable
day when. everyone else is radiant with
happinees?
You were hardly so eager at our last
interview" she answered. Ito prolong
situation which had become irksome-
you used words that are not easily for
gotten
Can you blame me. knowing the
cause?" he replied.
She did not answer, and he stood with
folded arms gazing across the hills Sud
denly light broke over his face, as
though some eager joyful thought had
taken birth in his mind.
"At least breakfast with me, ne turned
to her plead ely, while l tell you of
plan, the success Of which l am vitally
Interested in. Without your interest and
cooperation I am powerless to do any
thing " the direction of success. VIII you
listen Edith?''
1t was this same logged persistency,
this same determination to overcome all
obstacles in his path to attain the ends
of his aims and desires, that had placed
him In the front ranks of men. The sud
den change in his voice made her look
at him. Something in his eager face
seemed to fascinate her.
I. IT cannot see how my interest can be
of any value to you now" she replied
slowly.
He noticed the note of sadness in her
voice. The pride was gone.
Nevertheless, she walked by his side to
the dining room.
They were fortunate in finding small
table to themselves, apart from the rest.
Sterling ordered breakfast for them both,
and she noticed how careful he was to
order Just the things she liked best. From
a dish of fruit he selected and peeled a
pear for her, He even remembered her
favorite fruit. Then, dropping just one
lump of sugar into her cup Of black
coffee, he passed 1t to her with a smile
How natural 1t all seemed, as though 1t
were but yesterday they had parted
Just for today'-her heart kept plead
ing to her conscience. Forget everything
but today She looked at him across
the table. How handsome he was.
He glanced up quickly and catching
the look In her eyes, his heart leaped up
with bound, and he felt encouraged for