The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1911-02-24
lttle lad who was fishing in the turn

4
and sweet.
Lion, do you know the way to tn
hermit's cave?" she asked quietly.
Lon stared at her with palint
cheeks. You're not going there. Miss
Grace?" he faltered.
Eyes, / am, my dear. If you don't
90 with me and show the way | must
GO alone. for an old man is hurt there
and perhaps dying. Before we enjoy
our own picnic we must see him. You
can turn back now If you want to-
She looked at him, confident of his an
swer.
you can't go alone, Miss Grace; he
might hurt you. I'll go with you; il
he throws stones I'll-Ill lam him
| one!" Lon frowned fiercely at his
imaginary foe and thoughtfully cut
himself stout stick with knobby
| handle.
Thank you, DEAR" said Grace. q
was sure you'd go along to take care
of me-"
Lon Strengthened his shoulders and
his ears redeemed with pride and en-
barrassment as he led the way
through tangled thicket and by
devious other ways until they stood in
narrow path, well defined and Gov
cred with a clear white sand.
THAT leads to the cave" whispered
Lon cautiously. "Me and some fell
lows found 1t one day-it comes from
over the mountain-I guess that's the
way he goes to and fro. We was
after birds eggs last summer-there's
millions of birds around here-and
the old man came and chased us off"
Grace reserved her reprimands for
some future date and told Lon to go
ahead and she would follow AT last,
they stood before the mouth of the
cave which opened onto plateau COW
cred with small loose stones of vari-
GUS sizes. Their carefully guarded
footsteps sent several stones rafting
down the hillside with surprising
din. A dog barked hoarsely.
"Who Is there?" called feeble
voice from within the cave.
"Friends!" replied Grace cheerily
Are you in trouble?"
"Yes-fell and sprained my ankle
yesterday and I've been suffering tor
lures since then. I've tried to get help
from outside but everyone acts SO con-
foundedly idiotic every time stone
rattles down the hillside that I'd
about given it up. Wait moment
please and I'll come out"
Hes got a nice voice." whispered
Lon to his teacher as they waited for
the hermit's appearance.
very likely he's the incest old
gentleman you ever met" she smiled
back at him. Here he comes now"
With that expression of tenderest
pity lighting her face Grace Winton
saw a man drag himself painfully
from the opening Of the cave. Her
eyes widened as she realized that this
was no old man-young, handsome
and athletic looking, the picture Of
health, save for a certain drawn look
in his face that intense suffering
might have placed there, he half
crept, half hobbled to sitting posi-
ton in the mouth Of the cave and
then he tainted dead away.
When Grace and Lon had recovered
from their astonishment and bent
themselves to resuscitate the stranger,
the boy spoke:
This isn't the hermit, Miss Grace"
Never mind" she said absently, as
she propped his head against her
shoulder and forced some of the
blackberry wine between his lips.
He's in need Of help anyway. I'm
bandage his ankle. Lon carefully my
dear-there, it is black and blue and
dreadfully swelled Can you fetch
water from the stream? Doesn't it
run above here?"
Lon dashed away with a pail and
when he returned with the icy water
he found the young man recovered
and rather ashamed of his momentary
weakness. Sitting with his injured
foot In the cold water he told the two
that his uncle, the hermit, was none
other than Waynewood Stone, we'll
known ornithologist who had used the
cave as summer point of observation
to study his beloved BIRDS Now that
the old man was crippled with rheu-
matism and confined to his beautiful
city, home, this nephew, Frank Stone,
had come to take his uncle's place and
gather the necessary data for the old
mans forthcoming book of bird-lore
Now We must get a doctor up to
YOU at once, said Grace, preparing to
leave after Mr.. Stone had wrung the
story of their coming from her un-
willing lips. And you will want a
man to keep house for you IL you in
sist on remaining up here Mrs. Stew
ems son might come and take care of
you"
II believe I'll get the doctor to take~
me down to the hotel in Pendleton,"
said Stone thoughtfully.
There amt no birds down there"
ventured Lon diffldently. 'Leastways
not new ones"
There is one new to me-a winter
red bird" returned Stone without
looking at Grace. as she fastened
away, her heart fiuttering with his
warm thanks of appreciation.
I'm glad I'm not an old hermit ;,