Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-03-02
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THE AUTHOR
BY MILDRED WHITE.

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Copyright. isis. " estern Newspaper uniou-)
When Janice stepped from the train,
she looked about In dismay. Evident
ly the station agent had but waited
for the s 80 to arrive, before closing
his office and departing. One solitary
light shone from the window of the de-
serted waiting room, and no village
bus or auto, was In sight.
When last she had visited this pic
ture.que country, 1t had been summer
time and the coming Of the evening
train signal for the outpouring Of
autos and various gay carts, to meet
evening guests. Janice had not stop
ped in her sudden resolution, to con-
slider the difference between summer
and zero weather in the country. 1t
was CHARACTERISTIC, that as soon as her
purpose was formed, she had followed
it out. The managing editor had been
first to suggest 1t.
"Why don't you," he had said, seek
out some noted author and ask trial
at illustrating his workf You are too
good for q syndicate."
And aglow with enthusiasm, Janice
had picked out the author-victim, and
FASTENED on his trail. A mere notice
In the society column Of the morning
paper, directed her to the isolated spot
where she had been won't to 60 for na-
| ture study during an earlier and more
! prosperous time.
| Don MacDougall," the noted Scotch
author, so the paper said. "had retired
| to his bungalow in Wayne county, to de-
vote himself to his forthcoming book"
| The bungalow In Wayne county, Janice
| well knew.
Janice picked up her suitcase and
plodded to the rear where showed the
dim light of a lantern attached to a
rough sleigh wagon, upon which a
cloaked figure was loading certain
broad boxes.
"Are you going up hilr' Janice Ask
ed him.
Without ceasing his work the man
grufIiy answered In the affirmative.
II expected to find the village bus,
the girl went on, ut Isn't here. Could
you carry up my suitcasef'
For q moment he paused. "Goina
to walk up yourselfr' he asked.
Janice laughed. "Why, rather than
try that" she said, 'Td ride up with
you" =
The man was not encouraging
"There's no seat in the Sleigh" he OBJ.
jected. II have to drive standing up
Such surly disobligement could be
settled but one way. Lightly Janice
followed her suitcase into the wagon
II will sit on this box" she said.
II will pay you for your trouble,
she added.
| "S-all right" tho driver mumbled
| Before her old-time boarding place
he drew rein at her direction, Janice
! pointed to the suitcase. Garry 1t In
the han. please" she said, and pressed
coin into his palm.
Early upon the following morning
she was up and on her way to the glis
tening wood.
Janice's hands were too cold to maxi
more than a rough outli e Of her study
but sha stood silently committing 1t.
beauty to memory. Presently through
q break In the trees came her driver'l
tall figure. He wore a red sweater ant
his face showed 4 days growth Of
beard; IN his arms ha carried some
logs.
Morning" he nodded. and stood de
liberately looking at the sketch in hel
hand. pretty" he said at last.
| Janice smiled. SWELL" she agreed
at will be-"
A sudden light flashed into hi.
sombre eyes. you do this oftel r h
asked.
The girl nodded. IT make my living
that way" she said.
"Do you know anything Of Mr.. Mac
Dougal the authorr she asked. "Ir
carrying things back and forth from
the station. have ycu met him at any
time7"
The man answered slowly. " wal
carrying his books and his Typewriter
up there last night" he replied. "ant
these logs are for his fireplace"
"Perhaps you can tell me, then," she
went on, "when should be most like.
ly to find him at home. wish to see
him-on business"
"Business" the man repeated; his
tone was perplexed. "He writes books
while you" he pointed to the sketch
draw those"
Janice nodded, musingiy she SPOKE
a. though answering her own thought
"He requires pictures for his books,
and - she threw out her arms to
the fr trees. II understand nature a.
he loves It."
The man said quickly: "NacDougal
will be at home at three this after
noon." he hesitated. "Now. If you'd
care to ride back" And once again
Janice rode through the wfntry land
scape, this time with fur robe for q
cushion. Il was In subdued excite
ment that she raised, that afternoon.
the knocker Of the white bungalow
door. This quest meant 80 much to her.
Excitement gave place to surprise ~
the sleish-drfver's face appeared at
the door. Yet could this correctly
garbed and deferential person be her
Ecompanion Of last nights adventureT'
! IT wish to see Mr.. MacDoural." she