The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-08-03
OBSTACLES
BY MILDRED WHITE
toop,nsht. 1913. By Western Newspaper union.'


Toned garden and seated herself beside
her aunt.
an nll thls town Of curious crea-
lures" she said, II have seen one good
looking man,"
Aunt Martha Smiled. "Must be Ho-
ncr vane." she replied. "Every young
woman who comes to Farmsville dis
covers Homer, and to no purpose. He
Is devoted to his frail and domineer-
Ing mother, and has declared his intcn-
ton Of continued bachelorhoOd In her
service.
poor. handsome Homer" laughed
Mollie. "Aunt Martha. have wick
ed desire to torment the despotic old
Indy. Won't you Mt least introduce me
to the considerable man who Thought
fully warns hopeful mnidens Of his
non-mnrringeable intentiOns?"
"Niollie!" her aunt exclaimed. "are
you never going to outgrow your mis-
chievous spirit7 Certainly i will In
troduce Homer yane. but your tor
mentIng Siege Will end there"
So Ii seemed. Mollie smiled her
prettiest when the interestingly alOof
one was presented. Mr.. Vnne was
courtesy itself. Mollie decided that he
Ind both studied and Travelled, which
was true. But when the young lady
visitor from the city again met the
zone good.looking man," brief how
was his only snlutatlOn.
She saw him occasionally from her
retreat, MS he passed her aunt's home
In his chr. MOllie loved automobiling.
She could fancy delightful rides about
this beautiful country. And the girl
wns lonely In, her self-appointed exile.
Never Ind she Imagined days could
contain such long-drawn hours.
Aunt Martha, doing her best with
village guests, was discouraged. Mol
lie longed to be flying along a wide
road. the sweet air blowing In her face.
In her heart spirit Of adventure. Any
presentnble driver would answer the
purpose. she told herself.
Farther down rippled the WATERS Of
n lake. Mollie wanted to travel down
those ripping waters In n motorboat
now resting against the shore. This
boat. she learned. twas also the prop
erty Of the selfish Homer" Selfish7
Mollie wondered.
"Devotet to his invalid mother for
lifetime. denying himself That broader
living which nature such rs his must
crave" Suddenly smile curved the
girls lips. Why not for just one after
noon give him holiday? Other men
Ind sought the privilege Of her COM
pnnonship: why should not this man
find II amusing also7 The gift. she
realized. would have to be forclbly be-
slowed. Mollle walked up the hill
TINT bcgnn nj her nunt's very doorway.
Not long since the object Of her
thoughts had dashed up this way In
his car. Usually he returned In
short time down the hill.
"Up looking over one Of his farms"
was the why her aunt explained these
errands.
True to her expectations. as she
pnused In the center Of the dusty rond.
the cur cnme on ngain. seeming to slip
over the top Of the hill. It's occupant
raised his hat, while Mollie put forth
n OBTAINING hand.
'Plcase." she said sweetly. "if yOu
are going down won't you carry met
II Ia n long way to walk"
Homer vnne quickly restrained his
glance Of Amusement. "With pleas
urc," he agreed. and assisted her into
the car.
From here" snid Mollie. disap-
pointediy. zone cannot get view OF
the like. I hoped to see 1t. but cannot
climb so high"
~ would he delighted to drive you to
good view point" he suggested, and
Mt her quick nod Of acceptance. the
chr swung nbout for the upward trip.
He was agreeable and ensy to talk
to. this unusual man. Mollle had not
expected such easy victory over his
reserve. From the lake view they rode
on through glorious country. and his
lnugh rang out Mt the girls Ingenious
remarks. Frankly she confessed her
stratngem.
"T was lonely" she snId. "and
did want ride. You were such diff
ficult person. Mr.. vane. OF course.
Aunt told me that your time was too
fully occupied to Notwithstanding
young women, still" she hesitated.
my mother" he murmured, "is de-
pendent upon my care"
MollIe laughed softly. ''There are
two OF us, then" she said, and held out
hand with sparkling ring. ''Thnt
is my sign Of devotion to one subject.
yet. why shun other companIonship. or
forcgo simple pleasures which make
time pass happilyi"
would you like lake ride tomor-
row." he asked.
~ must go back to the CITY," she
said. disconsolately, ITO be. married."
Homer vnne appeared disconsolate
also ms he drove MollIe to the station.
eve Will go over the old hill once
more" he said, and sighed.
Al the like view, he stoned the