The log cabin Democrat., 1922-01-09
KIN
  By MOLLlE MATHER


 ance with q stranger. Jim had hoped to find pleasant companionship in the summer hotel, which was. his new employer in fine city told him, like a one-family hotel
 Every one knows every one else who goes therc,' Mr. Bayard said They meet year after year. They'll take you in"
 But they had not taken Jim in. Perhaps his evident lack of prosper lty lnay have been accountable for this.
 Things had gone badly with him since his return from war. his old posi- ton aeeeptably filled by another, his mothers home left desolate. Jim could no longer bear 10 remain alone in the dearly familiar place, so he travelled East, and Mr. Barnes had given him a chance in his business office This was Jims vacation There was one very pretty girl that he would like to have met, that is she was exactly ,Jim's idea of pretty"
 Jim watched her go every morning with magazine and writing material to a green retreat overhanging the lake. Sometimes he followed for the mere pleasure of looking into her face But the girl never smiled even though he had persuaded Mrs. Hardy, his table companion al the hotel, to intro duce him.
 Jim was really becoming miserable over it all; for this one girl persist ed in his thoughts night and day az no other had done before Not even Mollie Bain, sweetheart of the past who had carelessly deserted him for the affection of another, while he Jim, had been fighting so desperately for his country.
 The men of the place seemed self centered. completely satisfied in their own chosen groups. Weary of his loneliness. big Jim tried the frendli- ness of the old ladies, habitues of the hotel, who had gossiped away many summers on its wide verandas. Their al0of condeScensiOn was more chilling than the forbidding attitude of the others.
 IL was the girl alone by her strange magnetic charm that held him there in discomfort. He tried the eXtrava- gance of newly ordered clothing in an effort to get recognition; it was no help at all. Jim was. it seemed. q quite unnecessary factor.
 They are all Snobs." he told him. self hotly, "and I am fool for my pains where the girl is concerned"
 Loving desperation had driven him to her side one day, and at the en- couragement of her smile he had been emboldened to invite her for a drive. The girls smile vanished with her prompt refusal. She was Bently's daughter. he was informed-Bently, president of the Country club his wife. the most dignifiedIy aIoof rocker of the Veranda.
 He might as well go back to the crowded indifferent city. Jim told him self; there was no hope of compan- ionship here When Mr. Barnes came down for a weekend and took him under his wing. the Westerner hoped for better times. but with Mr. Barnes return to the city his own isolation continued. And then Jim Bond slipped down a steep brambly path and broke his leg. It was so painful at first he realized only in his confusion that he was being cared for in his own room in the hotel, kindly and con tidcut physician hestowins courage with his directions.
 It was twilight when, as he sat gazing wistfulIy down toward the beach, the door opened to admit an elderly verauda lady, She bore in her hands dish.
 We all like fruit to nibble on, when we are sitting quiet" she said.
 Jim was amazed at the warmth of her smile. Later. one of the immac- uate men stopped in.
 Heard you'd had some hard luck" the man remarked. Brought you in book Eve been reading Guess it will hold your attention for a while"
 Jim leaned back on his pillow with grateful sigh. He was aStonished to find two tears, not wholly caused by pain. stealing down his checks. T must have been almighty homesick for human compauionship," he mur- murcd
 \ woman stood in the doorway; it was Mrs Tantly "You poor boy" sho eympa'h ttcalv exclaimed She placed Ter md on h-- forehead in a wotbar'E earees
 T hcarJ" snid IjW baltiusly That the people of thi~ aotel were au like one common fnmiN: [ never had chance to realizo-rill now"
 Mrs BentlN lau-hrd comfortably. Sometimes" she said. "it's touch of suffering that makes the whole world kin"
 And then the WeSterner caught his breath: he had to. something was e+rnpUa1,r fbn u,attpr Nith his In1rt