The Press., 1912-12-25
:me Lonely House Which Has Wonderful Healing Powers
By cLARIssA MAcKIE

Lonely House, situated at the head of a beautiful glen. Absolute solitude guaranteed. Admirably adapted for sufferers from melancholia. Complete recovery guaranteed. Excellent table. Farm products. Address Mrs. Nook. Lonely Glen, N. Y."
 "Pm not exactly suffering from mel ancholia, but have a longing to be entirely alone for awhile" said Paul Gerrick, throwing aside the newspa- per with a yawn. "I believe I'll pack my grip and take my fishing rod and camera and try the month at Lonely House."
 He sat down to write a letter to Mrs. Nook, attracted by the oddity 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 ly 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 slaved 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 Belthorpes, on Massachu- setts 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 had left her in the shade of a 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 gleam of her golden hair. He set his small tray on the ground.
  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 Addis, 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- planation. Jim Belthorpe came up, the ices were served, another partner carried Nancy of, 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 must say to you if you will listen," he went on des- perately.
 q am quite sure there is nothing that you can say that would interest me, MT. Gerrick," she said indiffer- ently, and his pride stung to the quick. he had bowed formally and departed. It was easy to arrange for recall to town, and before sunset he had left Sandy point, and there yet remained thirty days of his vacation.
 He had dined 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. deep 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 musty vehicle with very much the same sense of depression that might have assailed him had 1t been hearse.
 Lonely House, ehT queried the an cient driver from the corner of his mouth. "I guess Mrs Mook's got 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 talk ing boarders?'' inquired Paul absently- one eye on the beautiful panorama of woodland, rocky glens. waterfalls tum bling into moss trimmed pools and steep W inding road showing cool vistas of mingled light and shade.
 Five or six years. And the funniest part of it is there's more folks get en- gagged and married there at Lonely House than I ever heard tell of in any other place. Here you be, sir!'
 The house was low, rambling af- fair painted a soft wood brown that mingled with the bark of the trees and seemed to become part of the forest. A wide piazza encircled it, and there were little rustic summer houses scat tered among the trees. AS he went mp the front steps the door of the house opened and a tiny little lady stepped forth. She was like a quaint, old fash toned miniature with her soft white KOWu dUu IOLuGO nChu WILL a AOSO CONA- ed in it's depths. Above her serene face was a crown of snowy hair that added dignity to her small stature. She held out a small white hand in well come. .r
 "I am glad to see you, MT. Gerrick," !" she said simply. ''I liked your letter"
 'Thank you, Mrs. Nook" he said heartily. I'm mighty glad I came here; but, honestly, Pm just overflow ing with questions want to ask you"
 He placed a chair for her and sat down on the top step, flaming himself with his hat
 You're not reporter, MT. Ger rick?" she asked anxiously.
 "No, indeed. I'm just curious to know why you open your house to N AA