The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-09-30

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the big boulder and went on down
with such force that Il struck sparks
from other stones as It drove surely
and rapidly to the gulch below, where
It embedded itself in the red sand.
" He loves me- even II he doesn't
write" Alma laughed at her child
ishness, but the incident made her
feel happy, and she descended the
trail feeling strangely elated.
When she reached the ranch house
large touring car stood at the yard
gate. Two women In listers ant
wells sat on the rear seat, and the
chauffeur was carrying water to quiet
the rumbling Of the overheated engine.
Alma passed hurriedly into the house,
and In the narrow hall she encounter
ed a faint perfume which suggested
a type Of woman she did not like.
Then she heard the shrill voice of the
ranchman's wife trying to get tele-
phone connection with a big hotel at
a summer resort forty miles away.
The voice came clearly through the
thin walls into Alma's room. Here
they are, maam,' 1t said, here's the
Elkton House."
please let me speak to Mr.. Brown
the desk clerk" said a woman's rich
voice that had familiar sound to AL.
ma. When the woman spoke again
Alma clapped her hand over her
mouth to smother an exclamation. 1t
was the voice of woman she knew
and disliked, but woman famed as
bewitching widow. This is Mrs.
Atwill speaking, Mr.. Brown. We lost
our way and have just succeeded In
locating ourselves. I'm expecting
some friends from the East. Has Mr..
Warren Dean, OF New York. register.
ed?" A brief silence. mo? Then he
may arrive on the o'clock train. ri
so, will you kindly tell him OF our de.
lay and say We shall be there not later
than eight? Thank you"
Long after the automobile went
putting on its step way Alma sat star.
ing at the ugly wall paper of her tiny
room. but for once she was uncon.
scious Of its ugliness The grinding
sound of coffee mill came to her :rnm
the kitchen. an untaling sign tina.
mealtime was near. Alma rose with !
shudder and hastily undres scd She
meant to be in bed. and feignins
headache when supper was announc ed
so that she could demand absolute
quiet as the only means NJ escaping
noisy and detailed account of the |
visit OF Mrs. Atwill.
The ruse worked we'll and Alma 8
pallor and silence at breakfast next
morning held off the story once mere,
but an hour in the cold outdoor air
brought the c;lor back to her cheeks
and she was ready to laugh at herself !!
for having spent a sleepless night.
Seated under big pine midway along |
path that led to deserted mining
shaft, she looked out upon the autumn
glory of the mountain sides. The t.ark
green OF the pines were lighted by the |
lame OF the aspens-.a color neither |
red nor yellow nor orange. bat won.
derful blending of all three Aln.a's !
back was toward the path, but she
turned her head at the souni CT foot.
steps.
Good morning. Miss Mountaiucar.
VIII you let weary traveller rest un.
der your tree:" said wel.-known
voice.
Warren Dean!" exclaimed Alma,
and by the time the name vas pro-
nounced she was standing and War
rem was holding both her hands in
his. There was a light IN his eyes
that made her lower hers timidy.
"The ranchman told me you had
started up this path" said Warren.
You didn't call me. Alma, but came
in the hope that by this time you
might want me or need me-" There
was silence for moment and there !
were glad tears in Alma's eyes as she |
looked up at Warren.
Then you didn't come at Mrs. At. !
Wills call?" she asked.
Mrs. Atwll? She's been almost
killing me with kindness because of
her interest In my military brother
whose regiment is stationed at Fort
Lyon near here. But came craving
kindness from you. my dear noun
taineer. Have you found an answer
to that question Of minc?"
II think found it yesterday" she
answered, and she told him of nam.
Ing the rock and of her anxiety when
1t seemed about to indicate that he
did not love her. "And suddenly it
bounded over the boulder, and as sud.
denly l knew that loved you. 1t was
matter Of momentum all around af.
ter that"
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