Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-19


Admirably adapted for
sufferers from melancbolia. Complete
recovery guaranteed. Excellent table.
Farm products. Address Mrs. Nook.
Lonely Glen. y. Y"
I'm not exactly suffering from mel
ancholia. but / have longing to be
entirely alone for awhile" said Paul
Gerrick. throwing aside the newspa-
per with a yawn. 81 believe I'll pack
my grip and take my fishing rod ard
camera and try the month at Lonely
House"
He sat down TO write a letter to
Mrs. Nook. attracted by the oddly of
the advertisement. That absolute soli-
tude might be a cure for melancholia
had never impressed him before, and
he felt strong attraction for the Lone
~ House. and he was curious to know
Just who his companions might be-
Paul Gerrick had a whole months
vacation TO spend as he chose. He
had shaved all through the spring
months in order TO obtain this four
weeks vacation from his desk in the
big insurance company where he was
a minor official. He was to spend the
vacation at Sandy Point, the summer
home OF the Relthorpes. on Massachu-
sets bay. He was deeply in love with
Nancy BelthOrpe, and when he accept
ed the invitation to become one of the
large house party he had counted on
the visit for an opportunity to tell his
love to the girl whom he was sure was
not Indifferent to him.
The very first night at Sandy Point
there had been a dance on the lawn,
and after he had waltzed with Nancy
to the tune OF one Of Schubert's most
alluring melodies he bad left her in
the shade of rose arbor while he
brought her an ice. When he returned
she was standing there in the door
way. her back toward him. The moon
light fell on the white curve Of her
neck and the CLEAN of her golden
hair He set his small tray on the
ground.
Dearest" he began softly, his arm
about her. when she turned suddenly
and released herself. why. Paul Ger
rick" exclaimed the girl; you getting
sentimental in your old age-and with
me?"
He looked aghast into the laughing
face OF Grace Adds, girl who was
engaged to young Belthorpe, Nancy's
brother. There within the arbor stood
Nancy, her face pale in the moon
shine. her eyes sparkling dangerously.
There was no time for apology. ex-
PLANTATION. Jim Belthorpe came up.
the ices were served. another partner
carried Nancy off. and he did not have
another opportunity to speak TO her
that night.
! The next morning he prowled around
the rose garden before breakfast until
( he espied Nancy cutting flowers down
a sunny path. He approached her diff
fidently.
! Nancy" he began humbly, but she
turned a severe profile toward him,
and her dark eyebrows went up in
quiringly.
There is something l must say to
you If you will listen" he went on des'
perately.
81 am quite sure there is nothing
that you can say that would interest
me, Mr. Gerrick," she said indiffer
emily, and his pride stung to the quick
he had bowed formally and departed
1t was easy to arrange for recall Ia
town, and before sunset he had left
Sandy point. and there yet remained
thirty days OF his vacation.
He had dincd at his club. and after
the lonely meal he picked up the news
paper and there read Mrs. MoOk's odd
advertisement. Two days later he had
her reply. and shortly afterward ne
was on his way to Lonely Glen. deeI
in the heart Of the Catskills
A long. wobbly looking stage was
backed up to the platform of the tiny
station. and Paul, who was the only
passenger for Lonely Glen. entered the
nusty vehicle with very much the
same sense OF depression that might
have assailed him had it been a hearse
Lonely House. eh?" Queried the an
cient driver from the corner Of his
mouth. ii guess Mrs. Mook's got g
house pretty near full by this time
I've been carrying boarders there day
in and day out for nigh week now"
How long has Mrs. Nook been TAX
ing boarders!" inquired Paul absently
one eye on the beautiful panorama OF
woodland rocky glens, waterfalls tum
bling into moss trimmed pools and
steep winding road showing cool vista:
Of mingled light and shade.
Five or six years. And the funnies
part OF it is there's more folks get en-
gagged and married there at Lionel!
House than I ever heard tell OF In AM
other place Here you be. SIR
The house was a low, rambling ar
fair painted a soft wood brown tina
mingled with the bark Of the trees anC
seemed 10 become part Of the forest
A wide piazza encircled II. and ther'
were little rustic summer houses scat
tered among the trees As he went NJ
the front steps the door Of the hous'
opened and a tiny little lady stepped
forth. She was Ike quaint, old fash
Toned miniature with her soft whit,
GOWN and folded fichu with rose tuck
cd IN its depths. Above her seren
ACE was a crown OF snowy hair tina
added dignity to her small stature. Sh
held out a small white hand IN wei