The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-22
Eoening Story
The Old. Old Trail.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

nC OIus O1U L dill
BY CLARISSA MACKIE
From the highway, a trail wound
thru the wooded slopes to clearing
where a small house shone siIver-gray
in the sunshine. Inside the house it
was cool and pleasant, with long
shadows on the painted floors and the
J fragrant cleanliness of a well kept
home.
Within the house it was still, save
for the sounds that drifted in thru
| the open windows-the rustling of
leaves, the musical fall of cascades,
and the song of the solitary vireo.
You will leave all this-and go
away?' questioned the man in an
empty voice
The woman nodded, spreading out
the letter with graceful, sunbrowned
fingers: Just think of it, VanI A
the chance for a lifetime; all of Uncle
| Peters money-travel-c
the world-Oh. Van-don't you un-
derstand?" The beating of wings
against the bars-the cry for pleasure
He picked up his hat and faced her,
young giant in stature, taking in her
tender beauty with dazed blue eyes.
He was only a forester, and she had
taught school for the mountain chill
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-going?" he asked, slow
She nodded. IF do mott will re-
ceive only a paltry ten thousand dol
lars!''
He wanted to smile-a ''paltry ten
thousand dollars'-and up to now, ten
dollars meant much to her. He did
not smile-he pitied her and turned
away. "Good-by-and good luck" he
said, as he stepped outside, and with
out any other farewell he was gone
and she was so absorbed in her calcut
lation 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 high
way and seemed to plunge into the
green tunnel of a wood road.
rs this a road?" shrieked Halle
Russell from the tonneau.
Her husband, bent above the steer
ing wheel, turned his head a little.
| "Y esterday it was a mountain trail
today it is passa b1e-tomorrow it VIII
be a section of the transcontinental
highway
Absurd"
MY dear, you have said that be-
fore. Latimer, when you and Ell
eanor. are married, beware of acting
absurdly."
LdtiAttE laughed 1dlly- GOOQ
CROUCH" 10 said in his meaningless
way Hear that, Eleanor" he
turned to Mrs. RusseFs companion, a
fair, dreamy-eyed girl, who watched
the trail with wistful eyes.
She shrugged indifferently. Eyes,
heard was thinking, Finny, what q
mistake it is for people to leave their
own pleasant woodland trails and ven
ture into the highways-the quiet,
green places are the best after ALL
civ ho 1a6 n
mean you would go back to your
schoolhouse in the woods-lose your
self in the tall timber
Il would, indeed" she cried pas
world 1 have taken by storm have
tried it out for five years-and my
heart is not in it''-her voice faItered.
Your heart-I believed flat
tered myself that I had your heart"
grunted Latimer.
She flung out jeweled hand my
heart is here! 1 left itein these woods
she suddenly smiled. James,
please stop the carl am going back
-home-forgive me- Finny-Hallie
you have ali been so good to me
butt must go!" The car stopped,
she gripped their hands warmly and
vanished up the narrow trail. Unbe-
heVlng, 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 woodbine and ended in a
plantation of young frs. Beyond the
firs was a clearing and a cottage shin
ing in the SUM- There were clean cur
tainS at the windows and a kitten
played on the door step. The woman
flung her hands to her face. The ten
der, tremulous call of a wood thrush
then the sweet silence of high places
fell upon her. On the other side-o
the clearing a 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 graying 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
Hallie's thin, impatient voice
Eleanor turned. IT came-back-
here because my heart was here" she
explained, and then she ran swiftly to
him. Van, oh, Van, I want to come
home-I have wanted you all the
years. am tired of the world of little
people.'
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 incre-
dulity of the world. 81 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
in hers-it was worth something" she
ended wistfully
(Convriqht 1922 bv the Mcclure