The Press., 1912-12-25

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. I 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, Pm not prize; I know that very we'll" he retorted, with just a 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. t"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 to their pain and bit terness, and as peace Is to be found next to nature decided to build a lonely house here in the woods as a rest cure for hearts," She paused and looked at his handsome face with un- concealed interest.
 "For hearts?" he echoed, faint col or surging 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. 'T 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 a soul from morning till night. It is understood that there is no breach of courtesy if guests do not speak to one another when they meet. It 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. It 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 raiilery.
 She shook her head. That would never do Now, if you will come with me I will show you to your room." Paul went and discovered a delight fully cool green and white room, in which delicious dinner was shortly served to him. He had expressed a 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 tie or no communication with them. Most of them seemed to be in a 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
 
 sun was sending golden Altering light through the green branches, and the waterfall was turned to liquid gold. It 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 irI nfn h A1fvN a& &k4r waterfall intently. The noise of the water had hushed his footsteps, and she seemed unaware of his presence. All at once she lifted little hand and pressed a handkerchief to her eyes. Then he saw that it was Nancy Bel thorpe. Why was she here? What heart grief had she? He would find out
 Nancy" he said gently, and, al- though she could not have heard his voice. she must have felt his presel"e, for she turned and saw him Her blue eyes were drowned in tears. Are they for me, Nancy, darlingw he whis- pered.
 "Yes," she sobbed. q couldn't stay there after I sent you away. After you went Grace Addis told me that she knew you thought 1t was me, but I was so horribly jealous and"-
 How long have you been here in the Lonely HouseT" asked Paul after awhile.
 "I 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 faces as they came up the path.