The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-07-13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THE OLD, OLD TRAIL |
BY cLARlssA mAcklE
Observation-Disclosures

Inc woman nOuueui bpTeHulUB out
the letter with graceful, sunbrowned
fingers; "Just think OF II, Vanl A
school teacher for years-and now
the chance Of a lifetime; all Of Uncle
Peters OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
the world-Oh, Van-d0nt you
UNDERESTIMATE The beating of wings
against the bars-the cry for pleasure
and freedom.
He picked up his hat and faced her,
n young giant In stature, taking In
her tender beauty with daZed blue
eyes. He was only forester, and she
had taught school for the mountain
children-they were to have been mar.
rled In June--now-the temptation Of
the letter-the sudden inheritance had
made her realize how impossible the
life with him would be.
"You-are-golngT he asked slow
ly.
She nodded. "If do not-l will re-
ceiye only a paltry ten thousand dol
lars"
lie wanted to smlle-a "paltry ten
thousand dollars"-and up TO now, ten
dollars meant much 10 herl He did
not smIle-he pitled her and turned
away. "Good-by-aDd good luck he
said, MS he stepped outside, and with
out any other farewell he was gone
and she was so absorbed In her cal
culation that she did not know he had
gone She was listening for the sound
Of the stage drivers horn. AT last
she heard It winding down the slopes
"A call TO freedom
The big touring car left the highway
and seemed TO plunge into the green
tunnel of wood road.
rs this road" shrleked Halle
Russell from the tonneau.
Her husband bent above the steer
Ing wheel, turned his head little,
Yesterday II was mountain trail
today 1t is passable-tomorrow, II will
be section Of the transcontinental
highway
Absurd"
MY dear, you have said that be-
fore! Latlmer, when you and FL
eanor are married, beware Of acting
absurdly.'
Latimer laughed fatty. Good
enough he said In his meaningless
way. Hear that. Eleanor?" he turned
to Mrs. Russel's companion, a fair
dreamy-eycd girl, who watched the
wall with wistful eyes.
She shrugged Indlnerently. Eyes,
| heard-I was thinking. Finny, what
a mistake II is for people to leave
their own pleasant woodland trails
and venture into the hlghways-the
quiet, green places are best after ALL
MY dear girl" he gasped, do YOU
mean you would go back to your
schoolhouse In the woods--lose your
self in the tall timber"
II would Indeedr' she cried passion
ately. 81 hate the fashionable world
| have taken by Storm have tried
1t out for FIVE years-and my heart is
not In it" her voice faltered.
Your heart-I believed fat
tered myself that l had your heart"
grunted Latimer.
She flung out jeweled hand. my
heart Is here! left II In these woods
-" she suddenly smiled, james,
please stop the carl am going back
--home--forglve me, Flnny-HallIe
you have all been so good to me
butt must gow The car stopped,
she grIpped their hands warmly and
vanished up the narrow trail. Unbe-
Ileying, they followed her, unable to
guess her prank at the moment.
The old trail threaded the largest
trees, plunged under an arbor of cat
briar and woodblne and ended in a
plantation of young frs. Beyond the
frs was clearing and cottage shin
Ing in the sun. There were clean cur
tains at the windows and a kitten
played on the doorstep. The woman
flung her hands to her face. The ten
der. tremulous call of wood thrush
then the sweet silence Of high places
fell upon her. On the other side Of
the clearing forester watched her in
fierce surprise tinged with fear Had
she returned to flaunt her riches In
his face? Suddenly she saw him, saw
the grazing hair about his temples,
the brooding shadows In his eyes.
Behind her lounged her new friends of
the world in various stages Of surprise
and curiosity.
whats the matter?" demanded
Hallle's thin, impatient voice.
Eleanor turned. II came--back--
here because my heart was here" she
explained, and then she ran swiftly to
him. ivan, oh, Van, l want to come
home-I have wanted you all the
years. am tired of the world of lit
tie peoplel"
his hungry arms closed around her
and her head rested on his patient
heart. Above her sunny head the
mans brave eyes met the cool incred-
ulity Of the world. Il think you had
better co. he said gently, "She is
tired-her feet are used to the old
paths. Some day she will write to
you. Now we have much to say to
each other"
"She will lose most Of the money"
muttered Halle as they went back to
the car. but that look in his eyes