River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-06-29
1111II1LIIItI LIIIL-iIl1LIII
THE OLD, OLD TRAIL !
BY cLARlssA MAcKIE

ing where q small house shone silver
gray in the sunshine. Inside the house
it was cool and pleasant, with long
shadows on the painted floors and the
fragrant cleanliness Of a well kept
home.
"You will leave all this-and go
awayY' questioned the man In an
empty voice.
The woman nodded, spreading out
the letter with graceful, sunbrowned
fingers; "Just think of it, Van! A
school teacher for years--and now
the chance Of lifetime; all of Uncle
Peters money-travel-cl clothes music
the world--Oh, Van-don't you
understands" 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. He was only forester, and she
had taught school for the mountain
children-they were to have been mar
ried 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
ly.
She nodded. sIf / do mott will re-
ceive only a paltry ten thousand dol
larsw
To cd 10 Nnqltru
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 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
Ia call to freedom
The big touring car left the highway
and seemed to plunge into the green
tunnel of wood road.
as this road?" shrieked Halle
Russell from the tonneau.
Her husband bent above the steer
ing wheel, turned his head little,
yesterday it was a mountain trail
today it is passable-tomorrow 1t will
be section Of the transcontinentai
highway"
absurd ~
"My dear, you have said that be-
fore! Latimer, when you and Ell
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. Russels companion, a fair
dreamy-eyed girl, who watched the
rail with wistful eyes.
She shrugged indifferently. Eyes,
I heard-I was thinking. Finny, what
mistake it is for people to leave
their own pleasant wcouiand trails
and venture into the highways
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"
81 would indeed!' she cried passion
ately. II hate the fashionable world
1 have taken by STORM have tried
it out for five years-and my heart is
not in it" her voice faltered
"Your heart-I believed fiat
| tered myself that had your hear"
grunted Latimer.
She flung out a jeweled hand. MY
heart is here! left it in these woods
-" she suddenly smiled. James,
please stop the carl am going back
| --home-forgive me, Finny-Hallie
you have all been so good to me
butt must go!" The car stopped,
she gripped their hands warmly and
vanished up the narrow trail. Unbe-
lieying, 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
frs was clearing and cottage shin
ing in the sun. There were clean cur
| tains at the windows and 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 f1aunt 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.
"What's the matter?' demanded
Hallie's thin. impatient voice.
Eleanor turned. Il came-back-
here because my heart was here" she
explained, and then she ran swiftly to
him. ivan, oh, Van, want to come
home-I have wanted you all the