The herald., 1918-03-21
Finding
Himself
BY WARREN DALE

Lillian Warde, lost in meditation,
looked up with q slight start and a
conscious flush on her charming face.
You will have to explain, Meta,
dear" she said smilingly.
why are you so different this visit
from last year? Then you were all
animation and sunshine. Now, except
when some girl tries to Guido you and
you are your old daring, reckless self,
you are either off alone sketching, or
incoming"
1.-The exaggeratiOn Is far-fetched,"
declared Lillian. However, l am go
ing to make a confession. 1t is
camouflage."
"CamOu-?"
"Camou-fage. am hiding behind
mask and repenting of my sins. Truth
is, Meta, fear l thought more of a
certain individual back home than /
fancied. This is for you only. Mr..
Roland Barnes. young, inexperienced,
shy, but oh, such perfect gentleman
/ encouraged him and his state Of
perfect bliss was n study. Then one
day in the garden, my cousin Roy
coming home greeted me with the
usual kiss of relationship. l saw Mr..
Barnes in the distance. Wicked mel
Some spirit of cruel mischief influ-
enced me to gush over Roy. Mr..
Barnes did not know that he was a
relative. He at once jumped to the
conclusion that Roy was lover and
disappeared"
Disappeared"
Actually and absolutely"
"And nOwT'
81 am sorry l did It," said Lillian
In a subdued tone.
For several years Lillian and other
girl friends of Meta Lee had come to
Silver Lake to enjoy a months vaca-
ton.
"Wake up, Lillianw rallied May
ROlfe the day ensuing. There's a
mystery afloat, at least a rare novelty.
They say a genuine, dyed-in-the-wOol
old hermit, long, white hair, Robinson
Crusoe cap, tottertng staff and all that,
has taken possession of the old de-
serted nut on Bear lSldnu-
"How picturesque" commented Lii
Ian. 81 would like to sketch this new
| character on the scene"
"You won't dare to-" defied May.
"They say he is furtive, quite wild,
maybe woman hater."
| "You dare me, do your" said Lillian,
some of the old fire of adventure and
daring in her eye.
"Can it a dare" retorted May.
"What thenT
"Why," replied Lillian, 81 will not
only hunt down this romantic nOmad
of the lake, but 1 will bring back a
faithful sketch of him."
Suppose he should mediate carry
ing one Of us off like a knight Of old
to his baronial hall !" suggested May.
"Baronial nonsensew cried Lillian.
/ "Where's LillianT inquired Meta
the next morning.
81 saw her put of down the lake In
the canoe with her sketching outfit"
said May.
Lillian had, indeed, taken the "dare."
She reached Bear Island, and resolute-
by and unafraid made her way through
the brambly bushes towards the old
dismantled hut that had been ia
miliar landmark for years. Its door
stood open, Lillian peered In. There
were signs of recent occupancy, but
no one was just now in sight. Lillian
looked around curfously. She was sur
prised to observe q white wig and a
great pair of whiskers, long coat and
the conventional hermit hat on q table.
"Our hermit is a sham," decided LII
liam. "Oh, myH
She might well start and thrill. Set
over the rude fireplace was a card
photograph Of herself. Lillian re-
treated, fiuttering over tangible mys-
terry. She passed through the door
way to come face to face with-the
hermit!
He was bringing In some wood. At
the sight Of Lillian down went the
armful in laundering way, and there
stared up at the unexpected Lillian
Roland Barnes! 1t was almost COM
ical, only Roland looked so distressed.
Lillian figured out the complication
readily. She adopted her most sooth-
ing and charming smile.
$50 you are the mysterious hermitf"
she said.
T-I-yes, that is"
"And why did you leave Us all so
strangely that day at Brighton when
my cousin came"
"Your cousinT wildly shouted Ro-
land-with hope.
"And why did you come hereT asked
Lillian.
ITO feast my eyes on a sight Of
why, you, Of course-before 1 went
away"
7 "Are you going away nowf"
| "Not-not If you say not. You don't
say not, though, do your" concluded
Roland dismally.
81 do, and hope you will abandon
your foolish role and help my friends
enjoy themselves for a week or two"
"A week or two" gasped Roland in
quivering delight.
"Yes," nodded Lillian, at the end OF
that delightful, acknowledgements
vacation, 81 will marry you next June
III