Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-19
The Argus Daily Story
The Lonely House-By Clarissa Maokiei
Copyrighted. 1912, by Associated Literary Bureau
He smiled winningly at her.


with jr-t tremble Of old age about
1t. You've been talking to Tobias
Hopp." she said in reply.
" Tobias is the stage driver. 1
plead guilty"
Yes. that IS Tobias. He Is such
sour old bachelor that have seriously
thought Of inviting him to stop at
Lonely House for a spell"
Paul Gerrick was startled. This
isn't a-er'-' He stammered to an
embarrassed pause under her amused
scrutiny.
NO, It isn't a matrimonial bureau.
It's just this way-no. don't apologize.
don't wonder you are startled at the
situation as Tobias has placed It be-
fore you. am sure you are in no
immediate danger
She laughed outright at his chagrIn.
"Oh. I'm not a prize; I know that
very WELL" he retorted. with just
tinge of bitterness that betrayed him
to the keen eyed little woman In the
rocking chair.
You will understand the situation
readily" she said sedately. There
are plenty OF people in the world who
have met with sorrow OF some sort
which they want to fight out alone.
The very proximity OF their dearest
friends only adds 10 their pain and Bit
terness. and ms peace Is TO be found
next to nature l decided to build a
lonely house here In the woods as
rest cure for hearts" She paused and
looked at his handsome face with I'M
concealed interest.
For heartsf" he echoed, a faint COL
or surSing his cheeks as he recollected
how the advertisement had appealed
to his own smitten organ.
For lonely hearts," went on Mrs.
Nook. smoothing down the soft folds
of her gown. II have a public dining
room where all who care TO may eat
together. or. If they prefer. they take
their meals in their rooms. They have
perfect freedom and need not speak
to soul from morning till night It
is understood that there is no breach
of courtesy II guests do not speak to
one another when they meet. 1t is
optional with their moods. They may
each scatter TO the limits OF the forest,
or they may gather in twos or threes,
as they choose. 1t is singular fact
that almost every guest who has come
to me has suffered some grief which
he wants to fight out alone. Very
often hearts are caught on the rebound.
as you know, and that accounts for
the marriages which have resulted
from the establishment of Lonely
House"
You ought to call It Cupid's bower"
said Paul. with an attempt at raillery.
She shook her head THAT would
never do. Now. If you will come with
me will show you to your room
Paul went and discovered a delight
fully cool green and white room, in
which a delicious dinner was shortly
served to him. He had expressed n
wish to take his meals In solitude for
awhile. but after the first two days he
fairly longed for human companion
ship.
Occasionally he met his fellow guests
in the hall or on the veranda or wan
derng about the glen. but he had lit
tie or no communication with them.
Most OF them seemed to be In morose
condition of mind and quite as willing
to be let alone as he was.
At the end OF the second day he was
desperately in need OF human cOmpan-
iOnship. and he wandered down to the
glen. hoping TO find some convalescent
who would talk to him about the fish
ing or discuss the weather. On this
evening the glen seemed deserted The
I IAz.I,s
through the green branches, and the
waterfall was turned to liquid gold.
1t was not until he stood beside the
moss trimmed pool below and his daz-
Zled eyes became accustomed to the
! light that he discovered he was not
alone.
A girl stood near him gazing at the
waterfall intently. The noise OF the
water had hushed his footsteps, and
she seemed unaware OF his presence
All ct once she lifted a little hand and
pressed a handkerchief to her eyes.
Then he saw that 1t was Nancy Bel
thorpe. Why was she here7 What
heart grief had she2 He would find
out
| Nancy" he said gently, and al
though she could not have heard his
voice, she must have felt his presence,
/ for she turned and saw him. Her blue
eyes were drowned I'm tears. Are
they for me, Nancy, darling" he whis-
| pered.
Yes" she sobbed. 81 couldn't stay
there after I sent you away. After
/ you went Grace Adds told me that she
I knew you thought 1t was me, but
! was so horribly jealous and
/ How long have you been here in the
Lonely House?" asked Paul after
awhile.
Il arrived this morning. And you?"
He told her. and then he added: Let
us go and find Mrs. Nook and tell her
we are cured. She may want TO use
our pictures as an advertisement"
They did not have TO tell Mrs. Nook,
for she read the secret in their happy
fares as they came up the path.
All the news all the time The
Argus.