Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-05-27
The Hermit of
Happy Valley
By FREDERICK HART

~~~~~~~e~~~~~~~~~~~ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
90. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
Frank Wheeler was distinctly dis
satisfied with the world. To be sure,
he was ready to admit that 1t might
be nice enough place for some peo-
pie, but 1t most certainly was not the
place for him, he thought. At least,
not that part Of 1t which was in
habited by Lucy Trlmble. OF course,
he said to himself savagely, ne had
to fall in love just when he was look
ing for a rest Three months In the
cOuntry-and the second day al the
hotel he had met Lucy; and twelve
hours later he was hopelessly en-
trapped in her 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
athlete; but that made no difference;
he was in love, hopelessly, madly,
idiotically in love. The worst of 1t
was, he didn't dare tell her so. For
Frank, hero of the football field,
was a covering craven in the pres
ence of women. At the sight Of a girl
he fed 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 lost from that mo-
ment. And he had to sit by and
watch the other youths of the place
make hay while his sun was under
a cloud; for Frank did not dance,
hated canoeing and other confidence
breeding amusements and fled from
the moonllghted piazza. He sought
solitude for his tortured nerves. From
the lake floated Lucy's teasing laugh
and the sallies Of the youths who sur
rounded her. Frank ground his teeth
with rage and plunged into the woods.
He followed little trail, not car
ing whittier 1t led him. For O time
his footsteps wandered among thickly
wooded country then the trail broad
cned and seemed better worn. He
continued, and came to little grassy
knoll on which stood q hut made Of
poles and covered with a thatch Of
small branches. And out Of the hut
stepped the Oldest man Frank had
a 1a1 in %
robe like a monks, which was held
at the waist by rope girdle; his
hair was long and struggled about
his shoulders; he had beard of pa
triarchal dimensions. At sight of
Frank he paused, apparently In sur
prise, and then, with courtly ges-
ture, he swept his arm toward fallen
log which lay near by.
BE seated, stranger" he cried, In
a musical voice. mo one comes to
the Hermit Of Happy Valley without
receiving welcome and such poor hos
pitallty as he can afford. Be seated,
and tell me your troubles"
Frank sat down on the log, amazed.
How did he 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
that you are not happy. Tell me of
1t. Often I can help and advise"
Frank, thus encouraged, poured out
the whole story of his love for Lucy
and his tlmldity. The old man thought
awhile and then spoke:
'My son, the gods sometimes bring
courage and opportunity at unexpected
times. 1t is our duty to wait for these
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. have spoken"
pretty poor advice" thought
Frank; but the old man continued:
II see as in vision that your fate
has been settled. Before the sun
crosses yonder hemlock we will know"
"Humbuggery was Franks inward
comment, but he merely said aloud
"Oh-thanks. I'm afraid l must be
going"
waltz said the old man. "Wait
till the sun crosses the hemlock. Walt
for what the gods decree"
"Oh, very WE'LL" 1t would do no
harm to humor the old chap, and the
sun would cross the hemlock 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-Lucyl She was dressed for ten
mis-, as he had last seen her, and his
amazement 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 apparently the old man had no In
tentlon Of so doing. He asked Lucy
for her story, and the words that
came made Frank hot and cold alter
nately.
"Oh, Mr.. Hermit, am the most
unhappy girl In the world / have
Just met man at the hotel, and truly
love him; but he won't speak to
me- He won't dance, he won't canoe,
he won't do anything And feel,
somehow, that he does like me; but
what can / do when he won't say
anythlng-he's SO different from the
other young men you meet around
the hotels during the summer-so
big and strong and qulet-but he
seems to be afraid of me. What shall
dor
"Waitp The hermit was imperious
"Before the sun crosses yonder hem