Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-01-24
Half Way House
BY OTTlLIA FRANCIS PFEIFFER
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper union.)

Outside the romantic looking log
cabin in the woodland Walter Muir
sat at his easel. 1t was his first week
OF outing, scarcely a hermit existence,
Tor north two miles was the town
of Alden and down the road double
that distance was the popular summer
resort, Lakeside.
He had visited neither. The great
fashionable hotel had no attraction
for him, and a cart drove up every
morning and took his order for all
household necessities. AS he laid aside
his palette he caught sight of a flying
figure in the road. 1t vas that of a
young girl driving a bicycle. Then
there was a Jangle, a slight scream,
and he ran out to find the rider striv-
Ing to arise to her feet from the way
side dust and the machine lying ten
feet down a slanting ditch.
Are you hurt? Let me assist you"
and Muir fastened to the side of the
unfortunate blcyclist and aided her to
her feet.
81 am only a little shaken up" she
said, but hazily.
my cottage is Just yonder. YNu
must rest" and she did not demur as
he supported her to a great old-fash-
toned rocker under a tree. Then he
brought out a pitcher Of cool, fresh,
well water. She smiled bravely as the
shock Of her fall diminished. II will
go and see what has happened to the
bicycle" said Muir, and her grateful
glance followed him.
He found the. mechanism of the BIZ
cycle considerably disarranged. Scat
tered over quite a space were the con-
tents Of an upturned basket. He
gathered up the packages, which SEEM
ed to contain groceries, and, running
the bicycle with one hand, drove 1t up
TO his guest.
81 have gathered up those scattered
parcels" he said. at will take about
an hour to repair the damage to the
machine. l have a tool kit in the
house." and he returned with 1t and q
late magazine. The young lady, how
ever, was far more interested watch
ing him at his repairing task than read
ing.
She seemed to feel 1t due to him to
be companionable, and Informed him
that she was a guest at Lakeside. She
had been headed for a family living
near Alden when the accident had &C.
curred-some poor people named
Woods, to whom she had been request
ed TO show little kindnesses during her
stay in the vicinity. When the bicycle
had been repaired she thanked Muir
with grateful ardor, expressing the
hope that her future daily missions
would not end In disaster.
81 shall be on sentry duty hereafter
20 see that you make that ugly road
curve in safety" he told her laugh
ingly, and she seemed pleased at his
chivalrous consideration.
S e passed the next morning, but
he simply lifted his cap and she babe
him a pleasant greeting. Upon her re-
turn trip, however, she came into
fiew wheeling the bicycle by hand. II
was a very warm day and the lack
of oil had made pedalling l%aborious.
He invited her to rest, brought out a
bowl of delicious lemonade and adjust
ed the machine, and after that each
day they chatted at least for n few
moments.
One morning the delivery man from
town did not arrive with supplies as
usual. A lank lad appeared in his
stead, explaining that he was helping
him for q few days. He CHANGED to
mention his name, Dan Woods.
"Is It your family that a young lady
from Lakeside visits dailyf' inquired
Muir.
"You mean Miss Ridgely?" asked the
lad. Yes, indeed. You know she be-
longs to the big bankers family in the
city. Her father is Guthrie Ridgely,
and ma says she's got five millions in
her own right. You see, mas sister vas
nurse 10 Mr.. Ridgely when he was a
child, and he always sent her money and
presents, and when his daughter came
down here he asked her to see Aunt
same, Miss Ridgely does for us. She's
got the kindest heart in the world, ma
says"
Walter Muir sat like one stunned
after the lad had departed. Miss
Althea Ridgely, the daughter of Guth-
RE Rldgely-yes, he had heard Of her,
and his heart sank like lead, for how
could he, a poor artist, ever hope TO
aspire to the heiress TO millions? When
his bicycle guest arrived two hours
later she found him packing up his #
fects.
81 am leaving here in the morning"
he told her. and his face was colOrless
and respondent. 81 shall never for
get these two weeks Of my life In your
company-Miss Rldgely."
For the first time he spoke the
name. "Why do you call me that?"
abe asked.
SIS II not your namef' he returned.
zone of the Woods family said so.'
ooh, they think that. and I have not
cared to correct them. No, Mr.. Muir.
l am Nina Blake. q music teacher, and
a close friend Of Althea Ridgely. who
brought me to Lakeside with her. She
was called home almost Immediately.
and / undertook TO execute a mission
her father entrusted TO her In behalf
OF the Woods family"
II shall remain another week" spoke