Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1918-02-21
Finding
Himself
By WARREN DALE

iii By WARREN DALE
tcopyr,sht 1877. western Newspaper ualoa
"whntever has come over you. LII
lianr"
Lillian Warde, lost IN meditation
looked up with q slight start and Z
conscious flush on her charming face.
!, "You will have 10 explain, Meta
dear" she said Fnillngly.
why are you 20 different this visit
from last year, Then you were all
animation and sunshine. Now, except
when some girl tries 10 Guido you and
you are your old daring. reckless self,
you are either on alone sketching. or
incoming"
The exaggeration r. far-fetched."
declared Lillian. However, I am go
! Ing to make a confession. II is
camoufage."
~Camou-r
"Camou-nage. I lam hiding behind a
mask and repenting Of my sins. Truth
is, Meta. I fear I thought more Of n
certain individual back home than
fancied. This is for you only. Mr..
Roland Barnes. young. inexperienced.
shy. but oh. such q 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. ! saw Mr..
Barnes in the distance. Wicked me
Some spirit OF cruel mischief infiu-
enced me TO gush over Roy. Mr..
Barnes did not know that he was n
relative. He at once jumped 10 the
conclusion that Roy was lover and
disappeared"
"Disappearedr'
Actually and absolutely"
"And nowf"
81 am sorry did H." 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. LIllIanr' rallied May
Rolfe the day ensuing. There's a
mystery afioat. at least a rare novelty.
They say genuine, dyed-in-the-wool
old hermit. long. white hair, Robinson
Crusoe cap, tottering stan and all that,
has taken possession Of the old de-
serted hut on Bear Island"
How picturesque commented LII
linn. II would like 10 sketch this new
character on the scene"
"You won't dare to-" defied May.
-They say he is furtive, quite wild,
maybe a woman hater."
"You dare me. do your" said Lillian.
some OF the old fire Of adventure and
daring In her eye.
"Call II dare" retorted May.
'what thenr'
"why." replied Lillian. 81 will not
only hunt down this romantic nomad
Of the lake, but I will bring back
faithful sketch Of him."
Suppose he should mediate carry
ing one OF us of like a knight 81 old
60 his baroni9l hall!' suggested May.
"Baronlal nonsense 7" cried Lillian.
"Where's LilllanT inquired Meta
tile next morning.
II saw her put on down the lake In
the canoe with her sketchihg outfit"
said May. 1892.
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
dlsmantled hut that had been a fa-
mlllar 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
iOokel around curlously. She was sur
prised TO observe a white wig and a
great pair Of whlskers. n long coat and
the conventional hermit hat on a table.
"Our hermit is a SHAM" decided LII
lian. "oh. my"
She might well start aud thrill. Set
over the rude fireplace was a card
photograph Of herself. Lillian re-
treated, fluttering over a tangible mys-
terry. She passed through the door
way 10 come face to face with-the
hermit F-F-s,a .a. s's..r.
lie was bringing In some wood. At
the sight OF Lillian down went the
armful In n laundering way. and there
stared up at the unexpected Lillian
Roland Barnesl II was almost COM
teal, 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.
"I-I-yes, that is"
"And why did you leave Us all so
strangely that day al Brighton when
my cousin Gamer
"Your cousinf" wildly shouted Ro-
land-wlth hope.
"And why did you come heref' asked
Lillian.