The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-08-09

Hes woman hater," said Phyllis.
'Why?' Peggy was curled upon the
foot Of the bed. She had on pink
crepe kimono and pointed Turkish
slippers embroidered in silver. Why
should any man be q woman haterf"
she demanded again
A girl lifted him." said Phyllis.
when he was only twenty-one. We
are all crazy about him, but 1t doesn't
do any good"
Why crazy2"
You'd be, too, Peggy, IL you could
see him. He's tall and athletic and
he wears the most correct clothes
mostly white f1annels or rough Nor
folk things that make him look
picturesque But you might as we'll
try TO get near a hermit He never
looks at a woman"
Oh, doesn't he?"
Peggy uncurled herself and
crossed the room. She stood in front
of her dresser and gazed long and
earnestly into the mirror.
Doesn't he?" she said again.
Now, Peggy" Phyllis said, regard
ing her thoughtfully, you needn't
think
Peggy turned and looked at her. 7
don't think" she said, II know"
But other girls have failed to sub
jugate him. said Phyllis; why
should you expect to succeed.
I'm not going to try. said Peggy.
deliberately, ito make him fail In
love with me I'm not quite such a.
shallow thing as that, Phyllis. But
Tin going to make him notice me, and
I'm going to do it ii, d perfectly lady
like fashion"
Phyllis surveyed her wrathfully. 1T
would do you good to be brought
down from your stills, Peggy, she
stated
Peggy crossed the room swiftly end
threw her arms around her friends
neck. Don't you love me, Phyllis,
darling?p she demanded.
Phyllis kissed her. Eyes, I love
you, and that's WHY hope he'll
bring you down from your stills Peg
gy."
And the next morning Peggy watch
ed Peter Powell, millionaire and bach
elor, saunter forth for walk. leav-
ing behind him on the hotel porch a
line of exquisitely gowned and grace
full girls. among whom were Phyllis
and herself.
Peggy turned to Phyllis What are
the habits Of the creature?" she de-
manded.
Phyllis considered. "He walks a
great deal Before breakfast he
tramps toward the top of the noun
tain with his dogs, Then. about this
time. he goes fishing; in the after
noon he rides, and at nights he tramps
off again with his dogs
'.Sociable being remarked Peggy.
Two days later, Peter. climbing the
mountain to see the sun rise came
to an empty log hut. Lived in. long
ago, by mountain family, 1t had
been deserted for years. But now
there was smoke coming from the
open. and among the shadows he
could see an old colored woman NOV
ing heavily back and forth.
Wondering little, he went on and
PIP As he reached the summit a rosy
glow oyerspread the world, and in
that TRANSFERRING light his eyes made
out the form Of woman. She was
picking wild blackberries and she had
on a pink sunbonnet. She seemed
young and slender, but her faded ging-
ham gown hid the lines of her figure.
Peter, wondering a little to find her
there so early. whistled to his dogs
and went on. When he had passed
the girl raised her head and looked
at him, then she laughed gleefully and
fed back down the mountain.
When Peter came once more to
the log hut, the front door was open.
A table was set within the little porch.
It was quaint old table of polished
mahogany. In the center was a silver
bowl full Of wild roses. Another eil-
Ever bowl held blackberries.
The old colored woman came out
with cream and butter and nodded to
Peter.
You mus come up and git yo'
breakfas' here" she said; ives goin,
to serve folks what wants somethin.
different from the hotel''
Peter stopped do you mean." he
asked. eagerly. that can have break
fast now?y
The old woman nodded. Deed you
cam she said, AN I'll have waiies
II yo' want 'um."
She vanished and Peter took his
place at the table, noting the fine
ness of the linen and the exquisite-
ness Of the silver. The dogs lay at
his feet. but raised their heads as a
girl came out with light step. It
was the girl he had seen on the
mountain top. Her sunbonnet was
on. and her brown hair was braided
in one long braid that fell below
her waist. Her faded Bingham gown
was turned In neatly at the neck. and
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