The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-10-19
TIE DAILY
Isl HORT STORY
The Hermit of Happy
Valley
by FRIEDRICH HART
Copyright 1920, by the Mcclure
Newspaper SyndIcateJ

.-.tt, not that part Of il which was
i,.ha;itc<l by Lucy Trimble. OF
course, he said to himself sayasely.
49, a.du TO IaIl IN love just when
- ~ ipoktnS Tor q rest! Three
months in the country-and the
second day at the hotel he had
met Lucy; and twelve hours later
he was hopelessly entrappcd in h
meshes. He was just enough to
admit that she had not consciously
tried, to entrap him; In fact, she
had been rather distant in her
manner toward the tall young ath
lete; but that made no difference
he was in love. hopelessly, madly,
idioticelly In love. Tho worst of II
was, he didn't dare tell her 30.
For Frank, hero Of the football
field, was covering craven in the
presence of women. At the sight
OF a girl he fled percipitately.T The
caution had preserved him from
the nore-fatal attacks OF that mis-
chief maker, Dan Cupid; but every
lane has its turning and Fate
seemR to lie in walt for tt,'
tinwary, Lucy Trlmble had come
to- the, hotel at the same time as
Frank, which was obviously the
working OF q sardOnlc destiny; for
poor Frank was lost from that mo-
mont. And he had to sit by and
watch the other youths of the place
make hay while the sun was under
a cloud: for Frank did not dance,
J hEl canoeing and other conf
dehce-breeding amusements, and
. fled from the moon-lighted piazza
10 sought solitude for his tortured
nerves. From the lake Floated
l5gagis teasing laugh and the sal
len or the youths who surrounded
hoi. Frank ground his teeth with
rage aud plunged into the woods.
He followed a little trail. not
caring whittier II led him. For
time his footsteps wandered anu
ous thick wooded country; then
the trail broadened and seemed
battor worn. He continued. and
came to a little grassy iInOol on
which stood a hut made of poles
and covered with thatch of small
. branches. And out OF the hut
stepped the Oldest man Frank had
ever seen. He was clad In sort
OF robe like a monks, which was
ilsleld at the waist by rope glrdle;
his hair was long and struggled
about his shoulders; he had q
beard of patriarchial dimensions.
At sight of Frank he paused, APP
parentIy in surprise, and then with
courtly gesture, he swept his
arm toward a fallen log which lay
near by.
BE seated, stranger" he cried
Ina musical voice. No one comes
to the Hermit Of Happy Valley
Without receiving welcome, and
such poor hospitality as he can
afford. Be seated and tell me your
troubles"
Frank sat down on the log, am
azed. How did you know l had
any troubles?" he asked. He
knew the old man now. Every
one had heard OF the famous Her
mit of Happy Valley.
Many seek me in distress. re-
piled the hermit. II can see by
your face that you are not happy.
Tell me OF 1t. Often l can help
and advise,"
Frank, thus encouraged, poured
oGs the whole story Of his love for
Lucy and his timidity. The old
man thought awhile and then
spoke:
't6y son, the gods sometimes
brings courage and opportunity at
unexpecte times that VIC may be
ready when the moment comes.
You must take heart OF grace, for
never did youth love maiden sim
cerely but the wish OF both was
granted. have spoken"
ssPretty poor advice" thought
Frank; but the old man continued
AZ see as In a vision that your
fate has been settled. Before the
sun crosses yonder hemlock, We
shall know"
'tHumbuggery!" was Franks in
ward comment, but he merely said
aloud, 'oh-thanks. I'm afraid l
must be going"
y'rWaitI" said the old man.
'sWait for what the gods decree"
"Oh, very WE'LL" 1t would do
no harm to humor the old man
aud the sun would cross the old
henlock very soon. He waited.
But suddenly, down the path,
came light footsteps, and Frank,
looking up, had just time to dive
out OF sight when who should walk
into the glade, but-Lucy! She
was dressed for tennis, as he had
last seen her, and his amazement
vas great. But she called for the
hermit and he appeared. Frank in
wardly prayed that the old dufter
would not tell OF his presence, and
apparently the old man had no In
tention of doing 80. He asked
Lucy for her story and, the words
that came made Frank not ana
cold alternately.
'tOh, Mr.. Hermit, am the most
unhappy girl in the world! ! have
, Just met a man at the hotel, and
truly love him; but he won't
lpeak to me. He won't dance, he
WON'T canoe, he won't do anything
And / feel, somehow, that he does
Ike me; but what can do when
be won't say anything. He's SO
different from the other young
men you meet around the hotels
during the aummer-so big and
strong and Quiet-but he seems
to be afraid of me. What shall
watt" The hermit was i'm
perious. "Before the sun crosses
sSyoy. dAH J,nraIaoIF VIM shall know