The Clio messenger., 1913-01-03

L
told herself as she swept hand
across, her, wide. intelligent eyes.
From the room below which was
called, parlor came the refrain of "Oh,
You Beautiful Dodd;" then, Every
Little Movement" The tone from the
| piano itself was like the jangle of
mohy discordant tins, but the music
Malvina stopped her ears. then, with
quick movements. slipped into her
white jersey and out into the cool
mountain air. Her nerves were In
dire need of calm and quiet. III
| She walked on with lightened heart.
| The pungent odor of balsam and the
] cool breezes from the lake soothed
/ her saf -
She approached a small camp with
eager steps. How had this jewel in
the forest escaped her before?
The young author did not stop to
realize that this was her first venture
into the depths of the woods. And
| with the writer's longing for seclusion
Malvina pictured herself ensconsed in
that picturesque camp. She felt that
| all of her budding plot would burst
into full bloom and that her name
would appear in many of the maga-
zines. Even under the trying position
of living In boarding houses Malvina's
work had found favor with two or
three editors. James Blake Of the
Comet had been especially attracted
Ito. her. stories. She hoped, before long,
to meet him. He had been great
heln TO her.
The girls imaginings had brought
her to the door of the camp. Her eyes
opened wide In surprise. The place
was open at doors and windows and
was apparently without an inhabitant.
Malvinas heart .quickened it's beat
Perhaps she could run away from the
boarding house with her little tyne
writer and work here in this wonder
house? .
Inside all was rough, but not with
out a sense of the artistic. Malvina
came to the quick conclusion that a
man who was fond of hunting owned
the camp and that he was there only
during the hunting season.
With joyous feet she hurried back
to the boarding house and from there
to the village store. 1t was impera-
tive to Malvina that when writing she
have pink fiowered curtains and a
pink kimono. The latter she already
had. The pink curtains which she
would tack up in the camp must be
purchased at the one village store.
It was the following day before she
arrived at the little house. She was
laden with her typewriter. her pink
curtains, her tea equipment and her
pink kimono.
Malvina was tired but happy when
she threw herself down on the wide
couch for moments rest. The camp
had been turned into bower of pink
and odd dishes of wild flowers were
scattered about.
Outside( at the edge of the forest,
a big man swung along with an cd
handbag in one hand and his fishing
paraphernalia in the other.
When he drew near an indefinable
something stirred within him. Never
before, during the many summers he
had spent in the mountains, had his
camp seemed so desirous.
Blake quickened his pace and
sprang up to the veranda. He stop
ped before he had entered, held by
the glimmer of pink at the windows.
Instinctively Blake removed his soft
hat before going inside. He caught a
quick breath and stood as IL suddenly
lost to his surroundings.
BY all the laws of propriety Blake
should have turned and left his own
camp. But he could not move with
the sight of Malvina pictured before
him. She was in sound sleep and
her cheeks were flushed. Her glorious
hair was a mass Of spun copper that
trailed over the cushion.
The power of his eyes disturbed
her and she stirred. Blake, spell
bound, watched the heavy lashes fut-
ter, then rise slowly up to reveal her
eyes.
Blake then came to his senses and
turned toward the door. He waited
outside on the veranda until she
should come. He felt that she would
follow Immediately.
Malvina did. II suppose you are
the hunter who invited wayfarers into
your camp?" she asked with q half
smile.
"And you are the wayfarerf" Blake
returned because he could think OF
nothing else for the moment.
II supposed the hunting season did
not begin until later" Malvina smiled
half wistfully.
1T docs not. But fishing suits me
almost as well. and since the Comet
needs me In tho fall"
"And you need your own camp
now" Malvina interrupted. It II time
for me to depart"
mot at ALL intend TO stay at .
boarding place nearby-where I shall
not have to bother even with my own
meager fare"
But Malvina would not remain: she
felt that she must go. and since Blake