The Ordway new era., 1919-10-10

and read all his books Just on princl-
pie. / have the feeling that some day
he will write something really good
| Just because he was such an awfuliy
nice man himself"
Hes lucky devil to have you say
that about Hmm he came. tea In
| hand, and for a lonely bachelor on n
mountain top 1t was very entlcing-
looking tray that he set before the
lady. The thunder came from dis
| tnnce now and the rain was contenting
itself with a gentle patter, patter. The
darkness of a few moments ago was
giving way to misty grayness. He
opened the window little and the
smell of fresh green earth came
through.
"Um. isn't that delicious" smiled the
girl. as she took II long breath. Then
she poured the tea. How many lumpsf
Three? Why, man alive, what did you
do in Hoover's day."
Tell me about that author man who
writes such awful drivel," continued
her host.
''Well. you see, l haven't laid eyes
on him for years and years" she went
on. II wouldn't know him now II
should meet him on the street. But
when ] was Il child we lived on the
same street and he was always so nice
10 me when my brothers would pull
my pig-tails and call me 'bnby.' And
once they locked me up in an old
building, and that nice man came and
got me out. He heard my howls,
guess. suppose | was rather
baby as my brothers said, and he
was always helping me out. | often
think of 1t, and now when things go
wrong say to myself: oh, If only
knew where Chester Lane was I'm sure
he would tell me what TO dor" She
laughed and added: "Silly, isn't it?
But you see why like his books now,
trash or no trash, don't you? And
some day he will write something
great. you see"
"He should for the faith YOU put
in him. If for no other reason" said
the man, looking at her with curious
intentness. you see" he went on,
"he was poor, oh. so poor, little lady
of the storm, and his good things no
body wanted to buy. So he took to
best sellers-just because he must have
bread and butter and things like that.
But now-I will do something better
for you"
"You will? You are - Chester
Lane?" she whispered.
Yes. Peggy Trumbull, I am. And
you-why. you were the smallest little
girl ever saw. and such n good sport.
| remember thrashinG your brothers,
both of them, when they called you
baby To think that you should
have grown up like this, and"
And" she interrupted, when
storm came and frightened me almost
to death ! came right here. / might
have known II would he you"
In silence they looked at each other,
and through the open window burst a
ray of late afternoon sunlight-all the
brighter from its release from the
storm.
Peggy rose. ri must go now" she
said. isn't 1t a shame? I'm staying
with the Brantfords across the valley
aud started out right after lunch for a
tramp. Your mountain looks so nice
from the valley. Good-by." holding out
her hand, land will you forgive me
for saying your book was slllyf'
Lane had his cap and walking stick
In his hand before she finished. "Will
forgive youf' he repeated. MY
word I'm going to marry you, you
know. You'll he needing me to keep
away thunder storms and brothers and
things. and I'm not going to let you
out of my sight, or you'll vanish as
Il A,,.l
waiting here for you all these hun
dreds of years. My dear, would you
mind very much marrying me?"
THAT was very nice thunder
storm" said Peggy.