The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-20
The By MAY CHRISTIE Dis tur bin g Kis s
 LXXVI-BY A MOUNTAIN STREAM
Copyright ia2l by The aiocns, rewspsDer syndicate
BY A MOUNTAIN STREl

T adore the mountainsH said Della Desmond gushingly, as She rambled by the side of her host through the really lovely grounds of Criagenvar.
 Mir. Ducane smiled. well pleased.
 There can be no doubt of the beauty of this place, Of'course, ones pleasure is naturally enhanced by one's company" He broke off, won dering if he dared quote some lines from an old Irish song which seemed to meet the present occasion, and which ran:
 we feel that the best charms of na-
 ture improve.
 When we see them reflected by
 looks that we love"
 He decided, however, that the time was not yet ripe for such committaL
 But there could be no doubt of Della's fascination.
 She had been here week and never had there been dull moment. Instead of gadding off with the younger folk, she had been content to stay with him on occasions when excitement surely lay the other way.
 They had had many delightful ram bles in the precincts of the camp rambles that were not too strenuous arfd which involved no climbing such as the younger set delighted in. l Della had proved a charming com panion, and the most delightful | woman. he had ever known.
 They had enjoyed long drives to- gether. and picnic lunches. In the evenings, when Natalie and the oth- l'crs danced, or played billiards, or had noisy games nthe bowling alley, Della had been quite content to read quietly to him in the study, or to in- dulge in "patience" or peaceful game of dominoes.
 She was so interested in his col lection of valuable china and Vene- tian glass-had read deeply on the subject, and was keen to learn. Her questions were intelligent. and she listened with enthralled eyes while he disassertated on the subject Isn't the view too heavenly?
 They had seated themselves on a fallen pine tree on the bank of q tiny, tinkling stream, with ferns and mosses growing to the waters edge and away below them stretching a lovely glen that was gay with sum
 mer wild flowers.
 Delicate silver -cirches dotted the landscape. and mingled With the pines 1 anu III D.
 And beyond were mountains, with drifting clouds above them that made dancing patches of light and shade upon the hillsides, and white fiecket
 torrents rushing down into the glen below.
 Isn't 1t too heavenly" Della re- peated. clasping her hands together Her companion nodded.
 Reminds me very much of Switzer- land. Have you been there" She shook her head.
 I'm stupid little stay ay-at-home. But adore travelling. If only had the opportunity!" She heayed a plaintive sigh.
 "Perhaps-- one day. Who knows.
 MT. Ducane checked an impulse to say more.
 1 But his meaning was evident. And Della felt that the long week of act ing "ministering anger had not proved fruitless.
 It had been a somewhat trying time. The dark-eyed bachelor. for instance. had begged her twice to accompany him on a mountain climb. Della, att tracted by his good looks and the fact that he was well off had longed to go. Who knows what the adven- ture might have brought forth? But sharply she rebuked herself foi weakening. She had come with Q definite end in view, and she must concentrate on 1t. MT. Frederick Du cane-his prestige, and his money were higher game than semi -flirta tious bachelors who might not have