The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-13
BIZ TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyright. 1911, by Associated


Literary Press.)
They liked to call themselves spin-
stars although Hilda was only thirty,
and Helen and Harriet were still
younger. Indeed. Harriet was 10
young that she still wore her bright
braids tied with black ribbon.
They lived alone in the old house
on Scarlet Ridge, and it was because
OF their purely feminine household
that they termed themselves spina
stera
they declared. and the people In the
little town a half a mile away knew
the reason OF this declaration.
Poor things, poor things" they
would say with q shake OF the head.
Their father and their brothers were
good-fo r-nothings. 1t isn't any won
der that they don't like men,
There was money enough In the old
house on the Scarlet Ridge, so that
the three girls entertained comfort
&biy and were famous hostesses.
They were talented. too, and Hilda's
music ana Helen's paintings were
housekeeper.
fahe Is the youngest of us" Hilda
would say. 'but she Is the most prac-
teal: and she looks like one of
Iaphaers angels
Scarlet Ridge got its name from
the wonderful masses of dogwood
which. turning red In the fall. blazed
against the gray powders. The rug
ged scenery, the wild river which
leapsd ut the foot of the hills through
rocky passes made 1t favorite haunt
for artists who came from far and
near. especially in the autumn, to
psiDt the glowing landscape. When
thu artists were women. the three
spinsters in the old house welcomed
them with open arms. but to all
strange men the doors were shut.
Perhaps for this very reason men
bcmbarded The old place, tried TO
gain admittance to a castle whose
4Ates were closed to them. II was
known that the spinstcrs were attrac-
tive. but invulnerable. This fact
ptQued curiosity. 1t came as some
thing OF d shock. therefore. when, one
stormy December morning. Harriet
answered knock at the door and
was faced by three young men in
r4incoats.
I'VE saw" said the foremost young
man, difiidentIy. the light of your
fire through the window. We were
here In October to paint the dogwood.
We thought we would come again and
roe the effect Of bare branches. bat 1t
II cold outside and 1t looks warm
within. viii we be imposing too
much on your hospitality IL we ask TO
share your FIRE? %
Harriet hesitated. The rule of the
house said. mo admittance for mas
culines" yet this young man with
his hat in his hand. with his deferen-
tial manner. and with that dominant
note OF mastery. was a new force to
deaf with.
.'I'll ask Hilda." she said at last.
Hilda, playing songs without words
In the dim music room. was obdu-
rate. OF course they can't come in
Well. you so tells them," Harriet
..Of course" Hilda responded, "only
don't see why YOU can't do 1t, Har-
riot
sYou'll see when you get there
was Harriot's response.
Hilda. sweeping down the hall. her
soft white robe trailing behind her.
was a thing of beauty. To the men
who looked upon her she seemed to
embody everything that was gracious
and gentle. With her words, how
ever. came disiiiusion.
II am sorry gentlemen" she said
crisply. that We cannot welcome you.
There il an inn In the town.
But we didn't want to 70 to the
inn.' said the tall young man, plain
lively. I'VE are three poor travel
ers who have seen the light OF your
Ere. Would you condemn us to
steam pipes and radiatorsg''
Hilda found herself smiling. But
Ne don't" she began. Then the sec
ond man stepped forward. He wasn't
very tall. but his massive head ana
thick hair that waved back from his
,forehAAd gare him = Wonderful per-
sonAlity.
''lt has been many years since !
have seen a fireplace like that" he
said. with the big back log burning
and with the old guns and antiers
above the mantelpiece; yet you wouid
send IN back to the Darkness and
baroness OF the hotel parlor."