The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-03-22
became yourg lady of decision, tool

became young lady of decision, tooN
prompt action.
"There, Ralph" said she, rising
"your hand. We are friends always.
But the stars of our destinies lead us
in different paths. Goodnight"
"Quite right. quite right. Good
night" said Ralph.
The summer days sped on. Ralph
threw himself avidly into all the gay
eties afforded by the hotel life ana
was one of all coaching parties, auto
parties and yachting parties on the
river. Mary confined herself to the
society of her chaperon-an impecun'
GUS relative furnished by Uncle Alex
ander-and to that of such of the
guests as she suspected of being IN
tellectual" and SERIOUS" She and
Ralph saw each other every day, some
times several times a day, but there
were no more moonlight conferences
The belle of the hotel was very
young widow, with lots of money and
SOullul eNeS-un
Ralph, being seen now and then in her
company, people began to talk" and
Mary expressed her satisfaction that
her dear friend had so soon found his
soulmate. Yet she felt 1t her duty now
and then to drop him the warning,
"Ralph, remember be true to your
Ideals"
Among the 'intelligentia" at the ho-
tel whose society Mary affected was a
Professor Chase-professor from one
of the smaller colleges-forty, single.
slightly bald and exceedingly erudite.
Everybody said Professor Chase was
Just the man for Mary.
Mary's duenna was discreet old
lady, who never openly interfered or
advised. But she kept Uncle Alexan-
der informed by almost daily letters
how matters stood with his wards. Al
first t he old man flew into rage.
but on second thought quieted down
and said: young fools. Well, let 'em
go it." He was a shrewd person. Ralph
now almost snubbed the widow, sought
the society of other men. and INDUCED
in long, meditative walks in the woods.
The widow did not seem to mind it.
Mary began to fear that the pro-
fessOr had a sad, worldly and mer-
cenary strain in him. She was sure
of it when she saw him so often now
by the side of Ralph's neglected widow
though what the two could find to
talk about in common for her part she
could not imagine. 1t was evident that
both she and Ralph had yet long
search before them before they should
find their Complementary souls" And
now the season drew to its close. AL
ready the guests were beginning to
leave the hotel, and the leaves upon
the naples were turning to red and
gold and bronze. The time had come
when, by orders of Uncle Alexander.
they were to leave the hotel and pay
visit to that estimable relative at his
home.
Upon the occasion of that visit the
young people had arranged they ;were
to announce to the venerable Afexar
der the fact of their emancipation ana
the dissolution of all his plans for the
future. On the evening before they
were to leave Ralph and Mary met by
appointment to formulate their pro
nunclamento to Uncle Alexander-7met
IN that same secluded nook of the no.
tel piazza where had taken place the
great star of destiny conference. ms
beautiful night" said Ralph.
Beautiful" replied Mary. "How
sweet the moonlight sleeps upon yon
bank"
Don't it?" said Ralph. Mary, Mary,
have you found that-what did you
call it-that other life-yet?'
NO, Ralph, not yet. One must some
times seek through all the world for
that-and you-have you found-how
did you phrase it-'that other girl
yet?"
"oh, Mary" said Ralph. there's
only one girl in all the world for me
and You know it,"
Mary gasped and then, after a mo-
ment's silence, laid her hand gently
upon Ralph's arm and said, in a low
voice: We'll Ralph, perhaps Uncle
Alexander knows best after ALL"
With cry of delight RaIph-bui
why proceed? The moon itself hid be.
hind a cloud just then.