The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-09-02
NEAR TO
NATURE
By GENEVIEVE ULMAR

show window of taXidermist 1t was
dismal and dust-lnfested, as are most
windows given to the exhibition of in
animate nature in the shape of stuffed
and preserved entities, but next to a
dilapldufed eagle with one glass eye
bulgng and an articulated ape minus a
foot there was a fair specimen of a
tailor bird, neat and foppish of plum
age as in ats native woods.
The pretty songster mute JUST now,
touched chord Of memory in the
mind of Worden that was pleasing.
Where he had passed his life in the
Ozarks bird life was at its most entic-
ing and interesting stage. His father
had lived and died among them, had
given his years to their study, had
written two books on their history and
habits and both had become standard
in the scientific libraries of the world.
In the window lay one of these vol
umes. 1t showed usage, but was evil
IDENTIFY placed there to attract a pur-
chaser.
The sign over the place, old and
faded, read. Robert Vance The
young man opened the door of the
stuffy, feebly lighted shop, and a bell
attached TO its other side tinkled. Be
hind the counter was a young girl,
wearing a long apron, busy sewing to-
gather rent in the web foot of
rare species of Labrador duck. She
was fresh and charming as to face
and wore radiant smile of youth and
innocence.
Mr.. Vance is not in, suppOseW
suggested WOrden.
MY uncle is gone for the after
noon," replied Bella Vance, "but may
be able to serve you if it is anything
in stock"
No" dissented Worden, "a mere
within 20 see Mr. Vance," and then
Worden told of how the familiar tailor
bird had made him think of home, and
of his pleasure at coming across the
book his father had written. The
girls eyes glowed as he spoke of the
paradise of greenery her young eyes
had never seen, and she said:
"My uncle will welcome you, indeed,
for he holds in reverence the work of
man whicn has become his own ia
vorite textbook. Tell me more about
your fathers wonderful home and
work, will you not?" she asked in a
spirit Of genuine interest.
Worden was nothing lOath to eNpati-
ate on the rare old family mansion,
with its quaint, pretty hooks and cor
ncrs, but his auditor had attention
most for "the house in the tree"
Titan of the forest, where John Wor-
den had built an aerial home for him
self and his fayorites. 1t was roomY
secure, reached by a rope ladder, and
it had open apartments where the
birds could nest and feed and battle,
while the view beyond it spread out
paradise of shade and color.
Worden was due to get back to Ha-
zelwOod within a week and superin-
tend the development of some coal
land discovered on the estate, but he
fingered two, then three. And then
he could not terminate his always
pleasant visits to uncle and niece, for
he had learned to love the latter.
Robert Vance was about to remove
to another city to combine his business
with a like one, conducted by an old
time friend. Bella was an orphan. 1t
was an eyentful and happy evening in
the life of Dale Worden, upon
which he asked her to marry him and
gained her consent.
There was a tender, loving parting
from Robert Vance. Then the honey
moon began. Artless, inexperienced
Bella was ecstatic as a child released
from school TO travel with a loved com
panion half ACROSS the continent and
for the first time i'm her life view real
nature. Mountains, woods the laugh
ing waters were a joyous revelation to
her. When they turned their faces
homeward she could talk Of little else
but the bird house and the grand
views, and the sweet soIitudes sur
rounding it. The grand old mansion
and its roomy comfort had no attrac-
ton for her. The house in the tree
seemed to be surrounded in her
thoughts with rare idyllc fascina-
ton.
1t was well that this was so. A vast
surprise greeted Dale Worden when
they motored up to the home Of his
youth. 1t was in ashes, and the hired
man explained that it had burned
down week previous.
"And Mrs Evans, the housekeeper?"
inquired Worden.
"She is installed in the tree house,
sir"
"Oh, let us 60 there" and an hour
later the bride Of n week was singing
with the birds, at home with them, and
so happy and contented that Dale Wor-
den realized what a peerless creature
he had won for his wife.
1--WE viii soon rebuild the old home,
Bella, dear" he said. awe cannot al
ways live in this mere dove cot Of n
house"
ooh, Dale, darIing! whispered Bella,
her clinglng arms about him, 81 am so
content Is II not also n love cot2 For
you and I and the sweet, merry song
sters are the happlest family In the
world -
3 ----~~--~------~---------~------
A Trouble Maker
Mrs. Sinlth-My husband always
spys TINT | am his first Thought.