Gilpin observer., 1920-05-06
THE MAN ON
SMOKY TOP. ).
By H. LOUIS. RAYBoLD

,0. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate. \
"Think you'll manage all rightY'
asked the old warden as he shook
hands with young Maynard.
"Sure thing" replied the latter.
"GoOd-by and thanks" Shouldering
his pack he turned away up the pine
scented trail.
The old man looked after him
doubtfully. During his long career as
warden in this little corner of the
Adirondacks many men of many
types had he sent up that winding
path to stay from May until October,
but never before so well-set-up, SO
well bred, so handsome a youth, and
one so obviouslH capable of holding
down far harder job than that of
ranger on old Smoky Top.
Some time later, arrived at the sum-
NIT, Sperry Maynard threw down his
pack at the door of a small shanty
set in cleared space few hundred
feet square. Adjacent to it was
sort of platform on the top Of four
poles, evidently lookout. On one of
the poles was fastened telephone
box, an incongruous object in the
wilderness, but necessary in the per-
formance of his duties.
So this was to be his home for five
months! Sperry sat down upon his
duffle and gave himself up to eating
the last of his sandwiches and review
Ing the circumstances which had
brought him here.
Briefiy-it was ennui and disillusion-
ment. With more money to spend than
he had known what to do with and
with generosity which made him an
easy victim of his associates, he had
led spectacular career Mt college.
Then his father had died, increasing
his already absurd income.
But he was riding for fall from
the quarter in which he least expect
ed it. He believed his two best friends
to be his roommate and the girl he
was as good as engaged to. Coming
to his rooms suddenly during the
prom festivities he had surprised
them in unequivocal love-making,
while ostensibly having tea.
Sperry had left the room, the
campus, the town. In sudden revul-
sion he had hunted up an old friend
Of his fathers and asked for job.
only stipulating that it be out Of doors
and away from the world.
AS a result, here he was, the Smoky
Top ranger, whose one duty was to
sweep the horizon with high-powered
glasses and by means of the telephone
to report any fires to the fire wardens
below.
AS May melted into June and June
into July, Sperry grew accustomed to
his monotonous solitude. At times,
however intense longings for the
pleasures and companionships of CIV
ilization seized him.
1t was just after such period that
gay party of men and women from
the hotel on the lake below climbed
to his shanty. First came portly,
middle-aged man. putting consider
ably; then younger man, followed by
three ladies', two of whom We're un-
mistakably past the bloom of youth.
The third brought up the rear and at
first Sperry did not notice her. Then,
as he caught glimpse of the beauti
full face beneath the soft sport hat, he
paled beneath his tan. But on the
girls part there was no trace of
recognition.
81 say" said the elderly gentleman,
"do you have many fires?"
Sperry managed a reply. Some
times one day. Again, not sign of
one for weeks"
"What would you do II you were
surrounded hereT This question was
from the older woman. Perpetual ask
ing Of II from other tourists had
given Sperry ready answer. prob
ably be killed." he said cheerfully. He
always gave the proper touch of ro-
nance to his situation which they de-
manded.
"Oh," said the girl softly, her brown
eyes wide with horror. Sperry could
see now that the resemblance to an
other. at first so striking, was really
only intermittent as her expressions
changed.
Long after their departure Sperry
thought Of his visitors. particularly Of
the girl and the young man. We're
they engaged or possibly, married.
A week later they came again. with
variations In the personnel of the par
| ty, but still the same couple. This
time Sperry deliberately, yet unos-
tentatlously, made conversation with
her.
Just before they left the girl said
suddenly. 81 am coming up again.
That was all. but the knowledge was n
bright CLEAN In the duh monotony OF
his lonely days.
Many times she came and always
with the personable youth. who
seemed to have established himself rs
the girls bodyguard. Little by little
I