The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-07-08
BISCUIT PERFUME
BY r. RAY BAKER

the dream and his eyes spranR omen.
The room looked the same as al
ways. and yet there seemed something
strange about 1t. Finally IL dawned
on him that a perfume from the past
was seeming up his surroundings-a
perfume of baking biscuits.
The strange thing about 1t was that
n his dream he had been seated at
table about to begin an attack on
warm biscuits and maple syrup.
The faint sound Of an oven door
banging shut and the rattIing of pans
came from the next room.
"The new light housekeepers. y
Z George commented. as he crawled from
bed and began to dress. "That won't
last long. Mrs. Maloney simply wont
stand for any baking"
Arriving at his office. George waded
into his correspondence. gave instruc-
tons to his assistants and clerks, then
secluded himself from all callers aad
gave himself up to day dreams.
Elsie Havers was the cause and the
subject Of these dreams, George could
not forget her, although he had seen
her last ten years ago. At first. when
ne came to Detroit, he had given her
scarcely a thought, he was SO busy
making good In the real estate game ~
and besides, his fellow, workers were
acquainted with number of attractive
city girls, one Of whom quite cap
dvated George and allowed him to
spend great deal Of time with her
and great deal Of money on her; un-
til her former sweetheart. who had
been West. came back aad married
her. and took her to Colorado.
When George recovered from the
blow he discovered he had never loved
vivian; 1t had been simply a case Of
1nfatuation. His thoughts naturally re-
verted to Elsie. and he attempted to
renew his neglected correspondence
with her. His letters came back un-
opened, stamped "Unclaimed." He
wrote to mutual friends and learned
that Elsie and her mother had left
Harbor Springs and were living in Chi
cago. although their address was unob-
tainable.
"Why not pay the old town a visit,
anyhow he asked himself after a few
moments more Of cQgitatio1.
Twelve hours later he stepped of
the train at Harbor Springs. As he
walked up bluff his gait increased.
Before long he met a farm fivver
In which he noticed a number of large
tin cans
Hello" he called. "wait a minute"
The driver applied the brakes, a,d
the machine stopped.
well. WE'LL" said the driver. ..If IL
amt George Henderson,
"Bill Jackets" George exclaimed.
nnd he extended a hand, which met
4 nrm. warm clasp. "Are you still deal
ing IN maple syrupr
'You bet. Here's thirty gallons. I'm
taking 'em to the store"
won't twenty-nine be enough for
the storey" asked George. reaching for
his pocketbook. II haven't tasted
maple syrup IN ten years."
"Nope, I can't sell it, Bilrs face
was covered with q multitude Of grin
ming wrinkles as he added. '@but I'll
give you one. for old times sake, you
know. You used to be my best Gus
TONER"
with his can Of syrup. 1t was heavy,
but It wouldn't be after he found the
shady spot. Soon he came to a four
corners. On each Of the corners was .
house. George paused in front Of the
smallest.
''Elsie's old home" he sighed. ''won-
der who lives there nowr'
He mounted the porch. The door
was open and only q screen barred his
progress To his establishment the
same perfume that had assailed his
nostrils two mornings ago came from
the interior Of the house.
He knocked, and q middle-aged lady,
with white hair. hustled to the door.
When George saw her he dropped the
can Of syrup on the porch floor.
Mrs. Haversw he almost shouted,
wringing her hand.
"Weil, well. George. II does seem
good to look on your face once more.
And what's in that can? Maple syrupl
I might have knowed II. You're just
In time for breakfast-and we have
biscuits-always do for breakfast
even down IN Detroit-'
George was walking toward the
kitchen. He stuck his head through
the doorway and his eyes took In a
young lady bending before the oven.
The girl looked up and their glances
met
'What-what are you doing hereT
she faltered. and her eyes found the
floor.
II just dropped in for breakfast.
You see, have maple syrup. and you
You have the biscuits; so Thought
we might collaborate.
YES" observed Mrs. Havers. as
she nOured syrup on a biscuit. I'VE