The Big Sandy news., 1917-11-09
MAN OF MOUNTAIN
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


the mountains. Il was the time Of da
she loved, the long, restful twiligh
when the lake and pines looked lik
great splotches OF Ink on canvas {
silver white.
The stiffness and majesty of tn
place rested her, and she needed rest
for she had worked feverishly all da,
on the first chapters of her new book
| There had been a party I'm the after
noon. The girls had asked some peo
pie to the lodge for tennis, and Elmo
had expected to play, but at thre'
o'clock repeated rnppings at her dool
had failed to get any response. anC
they knew that EIinor was having ons
of her days. One couldn't get her out
Of her study with anything short oi
| dynamite.
"You'll be sorry. Sis" Betsy had call
ed through the keyhole. "The Paisleys
sent word they were coming over and
the CARROTS, and what do you think
Weldon Berg is coming. Surely you
don't want TO miss him. He's only COM
ing on your account, because yon are
an author. Mrs. Garrett told me so
herself"
'Go way, Betlr was all the answer
this had ELECTED.
Elinor knew vaguely that she want
ed TO go ont and play tennis and to
know Weldon Berg. but even the best
known writer of his time must be neg
lected until her precious book was
started.
Now the day was nearly done. After
dinner she had changed TO some outing
things and gone out alone. She took
her favorite path down to the edge Of
the lake where canoe was tied. II
was then she saw the man. He was
sitting ina rather detected attitude on
the narrow strip OF bench facing the
water His knees were drawn up. his
arms embracing them. and his head
was dropping forward inertly.
She hesItated. not knowing whether
TO 20 forward or hack. To go farther
meant discovery, to go back without
his knowledge meant-she caught her
lips between her teeth and tried to
think.
But the thing was decided for her.
for the m2n lifted his head and looked
at her.
'Please don't go~away." he said.
II wasn't sure 1t waAyou. John" she
replied as evenly as shAcould, coming
the rest of the way downNo the beach.
He rose and held out hin hand. She
put her own In II and shook II gravely.
looking deep into her eyes with the old
smile that always made her
feel so uncomfortable.
won't Won sit down and talk to me,
Nora or were you going hostlHei May-
)e ycull let me be your gondolier. I'll ,
Promise net r. rock the boat q
I'm really ont for exercise" she
laid hastily. Suppose We walk I'm :
itead." =
"Just as you like. II really doesn't {
natter. just so I'm with you, ElInor."
She reddened hotly. Don't talk that =
ray, John" r
"Why7 Z
why Do have TO tell your Be I
ause you've been four years deciding u
Thether or not you do like TO be With i
ie. It's fiattering to have you decide 5
/ the affirmative. but too late TO be
ppreciated.- n
Mora, what do you mean-four /.
ears decidingi Didn't we agreei 1t W
as your own suggestion to wait.
I'D you loved you. I've come as g
tried today; tried last "
INNER. ! tried two years ago. And -
hen you refused to see me, what was -,
to thinkT'
"Refusedr
'It amounted to that"
II never refused to see you. This Is
e first time I've heard Of you since
# the Tribune to take up my other n
ork." y
Mora The first you've-do you hon
tly mean that you didn't avoid me
Look at me, dear"
"Of course not John"
The name enlightened him.
Listen, Nora; don't you remember
at l used to write editorials under
other Manner
''Yes-I believe you did; but / never IN
1t. You were too modest
use your own. had forgotten"
'And the meme grew until lost my
,ntlty. When the editorial wander
,s grew to the size Of pocket phil
,phies my publishers wouldn't let a.,
abandon the name. I'm Weldon -,
re-. / thought you knew 1t, Nora" nm
Weldon Bergi" she gasped. "John, foe
. you Weldon BergT' yol
Yes dear" trs
And you did come today. and last It
lr, and the year before, and / 70
uldn't see you. l remember now
Tell me you love me, dear. Wen nIe
ger the rest. per
Yes, / love you, John, better than aci
thing In the world. 4
pyi1ght, 1917. by the Mcclure Newspa- Dia
per syndicateD tire,
T1or