The Parker post., 1918-06-15
Finding
Himself"
BY WARREN DALE


looked up with slight start and
conscious flush on her charming face.
You will have to explain, Netta,
DEAR" she said smilingly.
why are you so different this visit
from last year? Then you We're all
animation and sunshine. Now, except
when some girl tries to outdo you and
you are your old daring, reckless self
you are either off alone sketching, Or
incoming"
''The exaggeration is far-fetched,"
declared Lillian. However, | am 60
ing to make confession. It Is
,camOuf1age."
"Camou-?'
"Camou-fiage. I am hiding behind u
mask and repenting Of my sins. Truth
It's, Meta, I fear 1 thought more Of tt
certain individual back home than |
fancied This is for you only. Mr..
Roland Barnes, young, inexperienced,
shy, but oh, such perfect gentleman
I encouraged him and his state Of
perfect bliss was a study. Then one
day in the garden, my cousin Roy
coming home greeted me with the
usual kiss of relationship. I saw Mr.
Barnes in the distance. Wicked me !
Some spirit of cruel mischief tnfiu
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 nowg"
II 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-
fiOn.
"Wake up, Lillian" rallied May
Rolfe the day ensuing. There's a
mystery af1oat, at least a rare novelty.
They say genuine, dyed-in-thewOol
old hermit, long, white hair, Robinson
Crusoe cap, tottering staff and all that,
has taken possession Of the old de-
serted nut on Bear lSlduu.
How picturesque! |" commented Lii
ltan II 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.
Call it a dare" retOrted May.
"What .then?"
why" replied Lillian, II 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 nonsense! I" cried Lillian.
where's Lillian?" inquired Netta
the next morning.
II saw her put off down the lake in
the canoe with her sketching outfit"
said May.
Lillian had. indeed, taken the "dare"
She reached Bear Island, and resolute-
ly and unafraid made her way through
the brambly bushes towards the old
dismantled hut that had been a ia
miliar landmark for years. It's door
stood open, Lillian peered in. There
were signs of recent occupancy, but
no one was just now in sight. Lillian
looked around curiously. She was sur
prised to observe a white wig and a
great pair of whiskers, long coat and
the conventional hermit hat on a table.
sour hermit is sham," decided Lii
liam. "Oh, myr'
She might well start and thrill. Set
over the rude fireplace was a card
photograph Of herself. Lillian re-
treated, f1uttering 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 blundering way, and there
stared up at the unexpected Lillian
Roland Barnes 1t was almost COM
tcal, 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 hermit?"
she said.
'T-I-yes, that is"
Sand why did you leave us all so
strangely that day at Brighton when
my cousin cameY"
"Your cousin" wildly shouted Ro-
land-with hope.
"And why did you come here?" asked
Lillian
ITO feast my eyes on a sight Of
why, you, Of cOurse-before / went
away"
"Are you going away nowT
"Not-nOt If you say not You don't
say not though, do your" concluded
Roland dismally