Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-22
The DaayNoOelet
The Old, Old Trail
By Clarissa Mackie
ENROM the highway n trail wound

LNROM the highway trail wound
through the wooded slopes to
clearing where n small house shon'
silver gray in the sunshine. inside thc
house It was cool and pleasant, with
long shadows on the painted floors ano
the fragrant cleanliness Of well kcp'
home.
Within the house !t was still, save
for the sounds that driftcd in through
the open windows--the rustling o'
leaves. the musical fall of cascades
and the song of the solitary vireo.
"You will leave all this--nnd &c
away?" questioned the man IN III
empty voice. ,,,
The woman nodded. spreading Out
the letter with graceful, sunbrownec.
fingers: "Just think Of 1t. Van! a
school teacher for years-and now tht
chance of n lifetime; all of Uncle
Peters money-travel-clot thes-musit
the world-Oh, Van--don t you
underestimate The beating of wings
against the bars--the cry for pleasure
and freedom.
He picked up his hat and faced her,
a young giant in stature. taking in her
| tender beauty with daZed blue eyes
lie was only forester, and she had
taught school for the mountain children
they were to have been married In
June-now--thc temptation of the let
| ter-the sudden inheritance had made
her realize how impossible the life with
him would be.
"You-arc-going?" he asked slow.
! ly.
| She nodded. "lf I do nOt--I will
receive only paltry ten thousand doi-
lars.'
He wanted to smilc--a "paltry ten
thousand dollars and up to now, ten
dollars meant much to her. He die
not smile--hc pitied her and turned
away. Good -by--and good luck he
said, as he stepped outside, md with
out any other farewell he was gone
and she was so absorbed in her calcu
| latiOn that she did not know he hat
gone She was listening for the sount
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, greer
tunnel of wood road.
''Ts this road?' shriekcd Halli,
Russell from the tonncau.
Her husband bent above the steer.
ing wheel. turned his head little
yesterday it was a mountain trail-
! today it Is passable-tomorrow. IL viii
be a section of the trans cont inenta
highway
absurd" :"
"My dear. YOU have said that be.
| fore. Iatimcr. when YOU and Eleanor
are married. beware of acting absurd.
ly."
Latimer laughed fatty. "Goot
enough he said in his meaningless
way. Hear that, Eleanor" he turned
/ to Mrs. Russels companion. n. fail
dreamy eyed girl. who watched the trai
with wistful eyes.
She shrugged indiffcrently. "Yes
| heard was thinking. Finny. wha,
II mistake 1t is for people to leave thcli
own pleasant woodland trails and ven.
turc into the highways-the quiet
green places are be.t after ALL"
''Aly dear girl,' he gasped. do 70,
mean you would go back to your school
house In the wOOds--lose yourself /,
the tall timbcr--'
II would indecd.' she cried passion
atcly: Il hate the fashionable worlt
! | have taken by storm-I have tric,
! 1t out for hVe years--and my heart il
not in it" her voice faltcred.
Your heart-I believed-I tiatterc,
myself that | had your heart" gruntet
Latimcr.
She flung out a jcwclcd hand. "I,
heart is here. left it in these woods
~ she suddenly smiled. James
please stop that earl am going bacl