The Detroit times., 1917-10-12

I've started on my travels
Miss Melita Austen. FOR one
Night guest ~ Prayhers Valley
small hotel. caught Der slim hands
4 toge ther IL the ecstasy Of one rho
las long sought a treasure and has
/ Just come Ia sight u Il The IS
years ~ her lie might have been
bur 90 50 Young SO eager were
her DARK blue eyes Mss Melita.
The eldest of eight. had been born
with a Amouisting brain and a
rowing foot" but al her days her
foot had been tied She'd had 10
stop school when she was not II
20 take charge o. the household.
when her mothers health gave way.
and thru the growing up. the edu-
cEtins and the marrying of Julia
Bertha. Ancra. ZacS. Tiltcrd. AtEell
and kipgman. then on thru The in.
valldism OF both parents. she 4 been
the famiys stay rSister Mel had
seemed as mpch \ part OF the old
home as one Of \he foundation
stones of the house
But death had brokep up the Old
order OF things TIE family, know
lng Melita's ABILITY "a cook. 10 sew
and 20 nurse, P1ch had privately
urged upon Der the advantages 20
be accrued from living With rim OF
her.
( Mel had $4,000. her share o, the
estate. that. safely loaned. would
BRING $50 a year. enough OF clothes.
and OF 1ceuTse none OF them would
charge het board Then 20 the out
spoken resentment OF. ne seven
Msiitz, consulted. hid said she Eouid
not make her home with any %
them u have plans Of my own.
viii let you know later Just what
intend 10 do" she Lad said. ard.
puzzled and angry. ihes bad gone
% their separate homes.
And me putting Up, a. a hotel
on this nrst evening OF Mss MelitA's
'homelsssness was her hrst step
into the life she had so. loqg want
ii .-a Mex. morning.. she bought a
.erv s,eurrsssn -, slnTy3x seissss lss
ana ca Der -s.rt s.I.-Lh sre,btis On
walking suit. rig and short, nlled
a smaii bag Tith a strap that went
over her shoulder With underwear
and a tiny box of samples OF favor
ing extrxcts and perfumes. shipped
her trunk 20 q town zoe miles far
Their. and set out walking
Il cant AFFORD 10 buy railroad
tickets. she had thought when
weeks before the sale she bad made
her plans. but J can walk. I'm 60
Ing 10 sec new scene and people p
The red ard yellow glories o. the
wooded bills 0t was late September
and there had been a FROST SLED
her beauty loving soul with rrsm-
uicus happiness. as she sfroiled
liesurely along The firm. dry roads
Sometimes she rode long distances
In tho hcspiiaoie peoples wagons
none would charge Der FOR An over
Fights STAY or FOR meals. She re
jOiced In this new life Il wish
could keep Do up forever. She
hoHghf but i m afraid there J be
mud and vet days after a while.
and cant afford 20 ride
one bright afternoon. the FIRST 81
October. her feet began 20 feel "a
Of, weary She sat down under q
red-leavsd black gum tree Tor a mo
menfs rest. At the sound 81 wheels
size raised her head a liEhi wagon.
cite. drawn b. strong bay horse.
WAS coming The driver. tall.
thin man. with thick gray hair.
smooth shaven face. aud eager. dark
eyes. wearipg clothes that were well
worn, but % the tidiness that b.
tokens one well brought Up. stopped
when be saw her and III low
pleasant voice asked her n she
would Ike 90 ride Il was just hop
ing ONE one would come along
she said 20 him Il must have
walked little too much yesterday
-He gave her quick, bright
~elance. and lifted her 70 seat with
grmtls difference Then you are a
traveller. too I've been travelling
Tor ave years
Five years she echoed See
ing new places and faces
yes" he answered. I've had ave
happy years You see be went
on IN sort, ~ boyish confidence.
my father WAS crippled FOR %