The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-06-26
A FOREST HOME
Chapter 90

There was, meantime, a home Of
quite different sort in a Western
state great many days journey from
New York Mile had several days
on train to think about this decision
of hers. and to wonder whether she
was doing the best thing or not.
Half dozen times, when the big
Trans-Continental train stopped at sta
tions, she wanted to get off and turn
back. But her ticket was good only
to go forward, and she had no money
and too, there was nothing pleasant
to do in the city if she returned to it.
Sometimes she was sentimental
enough to read Humphreys letter,
which arrived just before she left.
Humphrey seemed so glad to have
her come!
But when, after various changes to
trains that became more and more
annoying slow. she arrived finally at
the rough little station at the very
end of a single track mountain rail
way, and when she saw Humphrey,
she ceased to think about going back.
Humphreys boisterous laugh, his talk,
his slang, his enthusiastic greeting,
cupied all her attention.
81 wouldn't have known you'll she
said after she had loosened herself
from his affectionate bear-hug and
stood off to look at him.
And she repeated it after her trunks
and bags had been piled into huge
wagon, and they drove off from the
railway.
Humphrey had changed.
He could not tell how many pounds
he had lost But for a year he had
lived and worked hard in the open
air, in bracing mountain air at that.
He had lost all the thick layer of fat
that threatened once to encase his
soul and as it had encased his body.
He had scarcely worn hat, to the
great benefit of his thinning hair. The
fleshy pallor that was his in the win
ter-and the fleshy pink that was his
in the summer-was gone. His firm
skin was tanned, his checks seemed
even little hollow.
You look younger Mile OBJ
served You look very WE'LL
Gosh, but don't I feel WE'LL" he
When l think of the years I spent be
tween a dinky office in lumber yard,
and a dinky house-and no exercise,
and not real gulp of good air for the
whole time, I could kick myself
He broke off to look at her again.
You're looking peaked. he re
marked. Never mind, in a week or
so you won't be tired and you'll be
looking ten years younger yourself.
Mile felt her 81 years. She knew
she looked them. 1t was consoling to
think that this backwoods life would
build her up-it had certainly worked
miracles for Humphrey
This idea bore her up through the
miles of rough road they Travelled
Gradually they got higher and higher
they trotted through valley and pain
fully climbed another slope.
81 liked this, when l dropped of
the freight back there, Humphrey
said. Gee, but l was tired till got
used to tramping! It's great fun
Well do a weeks hike someday when
I've got a vacation-get into the real
wilds"
The present country seemed wild
enough to Millie. She had rarely
been out of her small home town
she was used now to the narrowness
and tallness of big city, where build
ings continually doomed above hel
head The mountains seemed tc
spread out around her in never end
!. ing vista of broken lines, trees, clear
ings. small farms, log houses, now
and then clap board shacks, villages OF
a handful of huts, were met and pass
ed. and still they drove on.
After your grand New York home
vou1l hate this place" Humphrey
said. "Rut gosh, it's nice to have
you"
A hand that was rough and hare
reached out and took hers-stlll en-