Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-08-17
LITTLE RECLUSE
BY JANE GORDON
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20, 1928, Western Newspaper Union.)

I'm, ON, up the SnaQoWy trail went
~ Richard LandOn. 1t was humili-
ating to realize that he was actually
lost in the mountain. Yet each new
path that he had tried perplexed him
more.
Below, somewhere, among these roll
ing hills, was the pretty house which
Morrow, his friend, had insisted upon
turning over to his undisturbed occu,
pancy.
The book was coming along nicely
in the healthful solitude, and regular
ly LandOn's other writings went t9,
the syndicate. He had thought that
he was now familiar with every twist
ing mountain path-perhaps lost In
study he had passed from the familiar;
at any rate there was no sign Of hab-
itatlon where he might inquire his
hOmeward way.
Larry, the dog, who was his only
companion in the mountain abode, ap-
peared to be as confused Of direction
as himself. Twice Richard had hope
fully given Larry the lead, with a curt
command: Home, boy, home" After
futile running about Larry returned
each time to rest on the ground before
his master.
ut wouldn't be so bad" Richard
was meditating, ito sleep on these
warm pine needles for night, If go
ing back is out of the question"
Then he looked up to see the light of
far campfire. Promptly he started
In that direction. Directly before the
Illuminating fire. the white covering
of tent for background, sat a girl,
like a figure from fanciful painting.
The young woman was wrapped in a
crimson bathrobe.
Richard spoke to the girl In reas-
surance. 81 have lost my way in this
lonely hill. When | saw your fire
came to ask direction. am stopping
at Pine Crest lodge, the summer home
of Mr.. Morrow"
The girl stood up in the freight, and
he saw she was small and slender.
"That," she said, sis quite far down
near the village. Perhaps you will
rest while by the fire, then will find
my little electric torch for you and try
to explain the way. l have heard of
you, Mr. Richard Landon-and that
you are writing here"
Richard accepted the invitation to
rest. Larry had already made loving
acquaintance, his great head brushing
the girls arm. How l WISH" she
said impulsively, that l might keep
such pet up here for company and
protection"
"Protection?" Richard sharply
asked the question-"surely you do
not live alone in solltudef"
81 do live here, alone" the young
woman answered briefly. 81 will gel
the torch for you, Mr.. Landon."
He watched as she opened the haI
OF the tent and passed inside. A Ian
tern in its center showed "A cot bed
hOt-plate, and a table strewn with
papers and magazines. Beside him
on the grass lay tin Of matted milk
which the girl had evidently been heat
ing When she came out again the
crimson bathrobe was covered with q
long cloak and the cleaning bralds
wrapped about her shapely head.
"Now," said the girl In her musical
voice, 81 will go with you to the bend,
Mr.. Landon, and show you the way"
81 hoped to find material for ro-
nance in your beautiful mountain, -
Landon said. "YOu will pardon me,
Miss" Questloningly, Richard
paused.
Miss Mary Dory," the young WON
an gave her name.
Miss Dory. But since | came
upon you so adventurously, In your
lonely corner of the wood, you seem
to be a very spirit Of romance-and
mystery And cannot help but ask
Why here2 Why alonew
The girl drew back In the path
she was coughing YEARLY, helplessly.
Presently she turned to smile at
him; tears trembling through the
smile. THAT" she said, rs why"
She was gone back down the dark
way before Richard could detaIn her.
He ordered the dog: go with her,
Larry Stayl Watch I"
Richard stopped at the white"
boarding house on his way down; he
was possessed with tormentlng curl
oslty regarding the Isolated girl.
Mrs. Palmer of the White house
knew all the news Of the settlement.
Making pretense Of asking for a
glass Of milk, Richard mentioned hav-
ing passed lonely tent on the high
hill. Mrs. Palmer was at once sym
pathetic.
THAT would be Mary Dory's tent"
she said. MARY came here a frail
little thing, sent by the doctors for
mountain air. She'd been left alone
in the world and was working too hard
In a crowded city Office. was glad
to give her my best. But when her
small savings were nearly gone Mary
determined that she'd just take her
tent up to Pine clearing and live In
1t altogether I'll live so economically
she says to me, that my money Will
last while longer"
Early next morning when Richard
sought the tent In the wood Mary Dory
was making fragrant coffee over the
hot-plate.
"You have come for your dogf' she
questioned. HE has been a comfort
Ing protector. And have you found
your story-romance in our hills, Mr..
LandonT
Richards eyes were tenderly earnest
as they met hers.
~ have found my own" he said
Then he paused. Larry shall stay to
be YOUR protector. Mary DOry until I