The Lamar register., 1918-02-20
HIDDEN BUNGALOW
BY AGNES c. BRoaAN.

At the crossroads Celia paused, try
ing to peer through the snowy plur'
to the village below. The storm had
been unexpected, she had started out
in sunshine, hoping to visit friend at
the top of the hill, and now, before her
journeys end, the sky darkened, While
whirllng ice flakes cut her cheeks. The
next farmhouse, she remembered, was
now as impossible TO reach as the VII
lage; then came recollection or
summer-home bungalow, which must
be some place nearby. Though Its
occupants had returned to the city, she
would be able to find shelter in the pro-
tected corners of the veranda. So Celia
pulled the scarlet tam over her crink-
ling hair and pushed on through the
whlstling wind. Yes, there was the
house buried In nm enveloplng cloud of
snow and something moved at its gate-
way.
Celia laughed rellevedly to find the
something n great dog. Bolsterous In
welcome he darted toward her. I'm
hesitatingly her hand reached for the
dogs collar and she led him yielding
through the hedge. She was glad as
she huddled In the doorway that the
animal was there to shield her. Then
with lurch the great dog jumped
against the door.
'You foolish thing" Celia chided, at
won't open'-but 1t did. Bewildered
the girl suddenly stood in a living
room. and more amazing still. a fire
cracked on the hearth.
"What is 1t Don?" n mans surprised
voice asked of the dog. and from out
the shadows appeared mans figure.
81 beg your pardon" stammered the
girl. 81 did not know the bungalow was
occupied. was lost in the storm"
The mans voice was pleasing. "Will
you make yourself comfortable here
by the 1re?" he invited.
Celia hesitated but moment, glanc-
ing at the increasing storm-refusal
seemed foolish.
"The bungalow wns unoccupied," the
man told her, until last evening. /
came out here upon an impulse"
Celia east n glance at the mans fine
features. Then, at his suggestion. she
placed the red tam and her cloak to
vi btlbtt litt liit. M Eit"s
he arose TO light n shaded lamp. you
see" he remarked, 81 have made prep
aration for days of solitude"
"That wns strange Impulse of
yours" she said rs silence grew be-
tween them-"coming out here at this
time Of the year. remember your
fnce. You used TO pass our home last
summer In car, with IN older gen
The man nodded. My father" he
answered briefly.
As departure grew hopeless, the man
brought forth an impromptu meal,
serving the girl MS Impersonally as
though supper in n bachelors showed
In Bungalow was nm ordinary occur
renee. And Celia ensconced before
the fire, found the hour one of pleas
mt adventure. SurreptitIously she
watched the mans face. with eyes so
keenly grave, and the eyes lost their
anxious Hight when they rested on the
girls sweet face. At last he came back
from an examination of the weather.
you may have to stay here for some
time" he said. IT am going to ven
ture out to try to find n conveyance for
you"
With reluctance she followed him to
the door. "Oh. plensel' she begged,
as an icy blast caught her breath,
don't try 1t yet" but with n strong
quick hand clasp. the man had gone.
Celia, left alone, reached for the
morning paper lying before the couch.
then for an instant, her heart seemed
to stop beating. when 1t raced on
again. she found herself looking into
the pictured face of the man who had
befrlended her. Beneath the picture
were the words:
"Defauiter supposed to he In hiding"
Below was nm account OF shortage in
one of the city banks. for which the
pictured man was held responsible.
John Gordon the elder" the paper
stuffed. assistant to his son. the cash
Ter, LEFT Immediately for a trip to Cali
fornla after John Gordon, Jr.'s mys-
terlous disappearance. He refused to
discuss the matter"
"ohl it cannot be-" whispered Celia;
beneath the cushion of the couch pa
per cracked. Unconsciously she drew
II forth. then deliberately read its mes
sage: Dear Jack" said the note.
SORRY to leave you to straighten things
out, but i had to have money; deal
went wrong. Know you'u fix things