The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-21
EoeningStory
The Hermit of Happy Valley.
BY FREDERICK HART.

he was ready to admit that II might pe
a nice enough place for some people,
but it most certainly was not the place
for him, he thought. At least, not that
part of it which was inhabited by Lucy
Trinble. OF course, he said to himself
savagely, he had to fall in love just
when he was looking for rest!
Three months in the country-and the
second day at the hotel he had met
Lucy; and twelve hours later he was
bopelessly entrapped in her meshes-
He was just enough to admit that she
had-n not consciously tried to entrap
him; in fact, she had been rather dis
tant in her manner toward the tall
young athlete; but that made no diff
ference; he was in love, hoPelessly,
madly, idiotically in love- The worst
OF 1t was, he didn't dare tell her SO.
For Frank. a hero of the football field,
was a covering craven in the presence
of women. At the sight of girl he
fled precipitately. This caution had
preserved him from the more fatal
attacks of that mischief-maker. Dan
Cupid; but every lane has its turning
and Fate seems to lie in wait for the
unwary. Lucy Trimble had come to
the hotel at the same time as Frank,
which was obviously the working of a
sardonic destiny; for poor Frank was
to sit by and watch the other youths
of the place make hay while his sun
was under q cloud; for Frank did not
dance, hated canoeing and other con-
fidence- breeding amusements, and fled
from the moon-lighted piazza. He
sought solitude for his tortured nerves.
From the lake fioated Lucy teasing
laugh and the sallies of the youths
who surrounded her. Frank ground
his teeth with rage and plunged into
the woods.
He followed a little trail, not caring
whittier it led him. For a time his
footsteps wandered among thickly
wooded country; then the trail broad
ened and seemed better worn. He
continued. and came to little grassy
knoll on which stood a hut made of
poles and covered with a thateh of
small branches. And out of the hut
stepped the oldest man Frank had
ever seen. He was clad in a sort of
robe like a monks, which was held
at the waist by rope girdle; his hair
was long and struggled about his
shoulders; he had a beard of patri-
archal dimensions. At sight of Frank
he paused, apparently in surprise, and
then, with a courtly gesture, he swept
MS arm toward a fallen log which lay
near by.
BE seated. stranger" he cried, in a
musical voice. No one comes to the
Hermit of Happy Valley without re-
ceiving welcome, and such poor hos
p1tality as he can afford. Be seated.
and tell me your troubles"
Frank sat down on the log, amazed.
How did you know I had any trou-
bles?'' he asked He knew the old
man now. Every one had heard of the
famous Hermit of Happy Valley.
MANY seek me in distress" replied
the hermit. II can see by your face
thatyou are not happy. Tell me of it.
OFTEN can help and advise" t
Frank. thus encouraged, poured out
the whole story of his love for Lucy
and his timidity The old man thought
awhile and then spoke:
My son, the gods sometimes bring
courage and opportunity at unexpect-
ed times. 1t is our duty to wait for
those times that we may be ready
when the moment comes. You must
take heart of grace, for never did
youth love maid sincerely but the wish
of both was granted. I have spoken. .
Pretty poor ADVICE thought
Frank; but the old man continued.
Il see as in a vision that your fate
has been settled. Before the sun
crosses yonder hem1ock we will know
+ "Humbuggeryi" was Franks inward
comment, but he merely said aloud.
"Oh--thanks. I'm afraid 1 must be
going"'
Waltz" said the old man. "Wait
till the sun crosses the hemlock. Wait
for what the gods Decree"
j "Oh, very we'll" 1t would do no
sun would cross the heinlock 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
owl
he had last seen her, and hts amaze
ment was great. But she called for
the hermit, and he appeared. Frank
inwardly prayed that the old duffer
would not tell of his presence, and APP
parently the old man had no intention
OF SO doing. He asked Lucy for her
story. and the words that came made
Frank hot and cold alternately.
ON, Mr.. Hermit. am the most un-
happy girl in the world! I have just
met a man at the hotel, and truly l
love him; but he won't speak to me.
he won't dance, he WON'T canoe, he
won't do anythingi L feel. somehow.
that he does like me; but what can l
do when he won't say anything-he's
SO different from the other young men
you meet around the hotels during the
summer-so big and strong and quiet
but he seems to be afraid of me.
What shall I dog
Wait" The hermit was imperious.
before the sun crosses yender hem
lock you shall know your fate. Waltz
I'm going into the forest to gather
herbs for nay nooHtide meal. In an
hour L shall return. Waltz" And he
was gone.
From his hiding place Frank saw
the girl settle herself on the very log
he had SO precipitately vacated, and
field her hands>4n an attitude of resig-
nation. Then something seemed to
crneD into ri o11 RI
reflection of the old hermitss courage
and he walked out into the open.
As she saw him coming, Luey's face
turned white. and then flushed a beau
tiful pink. She half rose, but Frank
was beside her In a moment all that
he had had no courage to saw was
flowing forth like a dammed-up
stream freed from its bonds; and, mir
acle of miracles. Lucy's head was rest
ing on his arm, and her lips were