The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-02-25

ap1enty" And. daddy, throw down
your paper and let's all plan out some
nice trip, for fun instead Of for form.
Aiken and Palm Beach are disquali.
fed, for what we need Is some seclud-
ed spot where we can talk common
sense with each other and with our
souls and come back home better ac-
quainted,"
"That does sound like common
sense, and I've got suggestion to
make about where to GO" Her father
was suddenly enthusiastic. "One OF
my clients has been after me for years
to go out and enjoy the big fireplaces
and armchairs and first edition and
mountain scenery Of his ancestral
home that he occupies only about two
months In the year"
"Ugh!" shivered Mrs. Ainsworth, II
can smell mustiness now"
ooh, no-pure imagination. The
chief attraction of the place Is that It
Is in charge of an excellent couple
who have taken care of It for ten years
and have professional pride in hav-
ing 1t always in perfect order. Rob.
erts, who owns the place. is in South
America, and I have permission to get
the key from his agent any time. Shall
We go out for a week, and as Mollie
says, get acquainted with each other?"
A few days ater they made the pro-
posed trip and although Mrs, Afnsworth
undertook It with set teeth, as one UNI
dertakes any necessary but unpleasant
task, she relaxed and frankly admitted
her pleasure after their first evening
before wood fire in huge fireplace,
where all Of the family grew remin-
iscent and sympathetic, and the even
ing ended with Mollfe playing softly
on the big piano while all of them
Joined in singing old folk songs.
AS for Mollie, she reveed In the
many delights OF the big house, the
wonderful view from its broad windows
and the quaint caretakers. She did not
even mind when drizzly. day came.
In the afternoon she put on q long cor.
duroy coat and a fuzzy yellow scarf
and cap and went out for walk.
AS she descended hill toward the
tumbling mountain stream she caught
glimpse, through an opening in the
trees, OF come wild ducks on the water.
Very cautiously she went down toward
the river bank. but the elusive ducks
had sailed around bend and to widen
LICK f46luH 5u0 6GEPpG0 ouI Ll6 lChb9
of a wet and slippery rock, AT sight
OF her, the ducks first hudd1ed and
then rose in graceful flight, but sud
denly scattered In confusion as rifle
shots cracked from clump OF shrub
berry farther up the stream
Mollie gave start OF surprise at the
first shot, lost her balance and with a
frightened scream, fell into the water.
In her heavy long coat she was unable
to make good stroke, and promptly
went under. She came up still more
frightened as she felt the strong force
OF the current. She lost conscious.
ness as shewent under the second time
without noticing that two men were
running toward her from where the
rife shots had been heard.
When she rcEained consciousness
she was being carried up the hill by o
big, strong man, whose face was not
visible to her until, in response to her
tired exclamation, he bent over her
and she recognized Leslie Moreh0use.
"Moll.e dear" he whispered, and
Mollie replied with a long sigh Of con-
tentment.
A half hour later both of them were
in dry clothes and sitting before the
big fireplace. Mr.. and Mrs Ainsworth
left the room to give orders for an
earley supper and big fire in the din
ing.room fireplace and Morehouse got
up and stood behind the high, wing
backed tapestry armchair in which
Mollie sat. Then he leaned over and