Middletown transcript., 1921-02-26
Cabin Lure
Bv CENEVIEVE ULMAR
1920, Western Newspaper Union

MertonY' inquired Alvin Dale.
because it applies specihcally.
There is everything in the section e1-
cept oil. Once there was a rush on
prospects in that line, but it turned
out that every strike was shallow
surface well. Inside Of year there
wasn't a driller Or a derrick left IN
the district. They did leave cabins,
however. Here and there along trail
for a hundred miles in the center OF
the grandest hunting and fishing dis
trict in the world, every few miles
you'll find fair to Indifferent CABIN,
but offering a shelter far superior to
flimsy tent"
Abandoned, I suppose"
permanently, and you take your
pick and house yourself and no ques'
lions asked"
Lisle Merton was, like Dale, young
man Of fortune and leisure and an
authority on places and travel. Dale
started the next day on his thousand
mile trip. A settlement named Eden
Point was his rail connection. Then
twenty miles by wagon and as much
more by canoe, and he found himself
late one afternoon in front of plain
board structure with three rooms.
"It's about the choice of the houses"
advised his guide, fright on the stream
and that's big advantage, for nearly
every day some kind of craft passes
up or down stream and they will do
any errands you may have at the set
tlement."
THAT will be just the thing" COM
mented Dale.
"Another thing" continued the
guide, .back a bit from the river
there are several families living, so
you won't be lonesome"
Dale had bought a folding cot, an
old stove, some camp stools and
fair array Of pots, pans and crockery.
1t was a pleasing novelty and some
thing Of a delight to make amateur
housekeeping arrangements. Bedroom,
dining room and kitchen swept and
furnished, he lit lamp and sat down
to write some letters, feeling quite
at home and comfortable.
"Saw your light and wondered who
my next neighbor could be-" spoke a
hearty voice, and at the threshold
stood a bronzed, bearded man, the
typical frontiersman in dress and
speech "You look as if your needs
are all nicely provided for added
the visitor as he glanced about him.
1--WE have butter and eggs and always
a friendly helping hand when you
happen to need it. I'm Aaron Burt;
lived here for ten year."
"With your family?" said DAILY, SIM
ply to keep up the conversation.
"Only a niece, Ada Revere. She
has been here a month and going to
stay two more. hope we get better
acquainted"
ut will not be my fault, if we don't"
said Dale. He was pleased at the
thought Of neighhors, more so espe-
cially as the niece might be- young
lady. He found her so, and beautiful,
intelligent, refined. It was the next
day that he came upon her in the
woods with her uncle. An introduc-
ton followed and after that almost
every other day Dale spent an hour
or two at the Burt cabin. He learned
that Mr. Burt owned considerable land
in the district and was experimenting
along the line of promoting plan
to get the oil from shale. His niece
was unpretentious, friendly and
charming.
It was natural and inevitable that
these two young souls should discover
a mutual attraction. Then there tran
spired a, series of incidents that
brought about a definite climax Mr..
Burt came over to Dale's cabin one
morning riding one horse and leading
another.
II need your help. Dale" he spoke
quite excitedly. "Some one broke in
to the house while we were passing
the night with a neighbor. We sus-
pect two fellows we noticed hanging
around yesterday. They are on foot.
They have taken about all Ada pos
sessed and we must get after them"
They came upon the thieves ten
miles away. The latter had seen them
coming and had scurried for q belt
of dense timber. leaving suitcase
they had been rifling behind them.
Burt tossed over its contents.
"They haven't taken anything but
q trinket or two," he reported. 1--WE
won't risk fight following them fur
ther," and Dale, staring hard at an
array of clothing fit for a princess.
began to realize that Miss Ada Reeves
must belong to family of some con-
sequence.
Ada was delighted to recover her
property and Dale's cooperation in
securing it drew them still closer to.
gether. One day Burt met Dale, quite
serious looking.
"Young man." he spoke, 1--WE got
eyes to notice that you and Ada are
headed for a deep dive into love.
don't know how that will suit her
folks. They're proud and rich and
pretty high up. I should have told
you that before"
ut was not necessary" replied Dale
with a CHEEKY laugh. II won't boast
because l own two banks and come
from one of the oldest families in
my native city. I think I can qualify
up to the standard Of Ada's family.
It is too late to discuss that. how
ever, for l just kissed your charming
niece and placed an engagement ring
upon her finger"