The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-11-13
PART ONE
Little Notes

Darbury was a small parish pos
sessing an old church, a combined
post office and sweet shop, but no ac
tual village street.
As often happens with isolated peo-
pie and places, the little parish was
very self-important. The war and mo-
tor traffic had tended to modernize the
community; and the new freedom
rather went to its head. 1t was as yet
not quite sure of its line, though pain
fully anxious to appear assured-one
half shocked at the other half's doings.
and altogether rather mixed.
This had been apparent. year ago.
when divorce had raised its ominous
head for the first time within the mem
ory of living Inhabitants. Divorces
took place elsewhere, Of course. and
Darburyites read and discussed the
newspaper accounts with avidity; but
that such things should happen within
their own fold, between people known
and even liked by everybody else, was
an unheard-of idea. The topic, thrilling
in the press, appeared indecent in
these circumstances. Although it was
Major Randall who had obtained the
decree and although his wife, instead
of Offering defense, had brazenly gone
away with another man, yet most peo-
pie shrank from his society. As Mrs.
Stockley, the widow Of the late Vicar,
sagely remarked: There are often two
sides to these things; you never
know"
Even the squire and Mrs. Rochdale.
kindliest of the "old order" began to
show a slight coldness. They placed
the hOspitable doors of Darbury house
ajar, so to speak. instead of wide open.
limiting to their only son that a little
less golf with the major might be wise
But Hugh laughed at the hint. In his
easy-going way. That's all his fu-
neral, not mine; thus he waived re-
sponsibility for the morals Of the house
of Randall.
A wholesome young BritOn, Hugh
would abominate shady actions.
brought actually into contact with
them; but ne lacked the Imagination
to visualize what failed to Interest him.
His own purpose was single. his own
heart fixed.. Barbara Stockley. only
child of the late vicar, had filled 1t en-
tirely, since the days Of frocks ana
perambulators Growing up together
inseparable, their engagement was
foregone conclusion. Nobody therefore
had been surprised at Its public an
nouncement upon Hugh's return from
the war
The wedding had been fixed for the
following December The happy pair
were to live In one of the pretty mod-
ern houses at Hillbeak during the ola
squire's lifetime. continuing all their
activities in Darbury as usual. Every
body would call upon them; and every
thing would be nice. respectable anu
conventional.
But while everybody purred content
edly over this satisfactory romance,
bombshell exploded in their mlus''
launched by the heroine herself. IN
stead of spending the next four months
amid dainty needlework, her NINA
oblivious to all save the prospective
bridegroom and the dressmaker. she
shattered all traditions by announcing
her intention to accompany an aunt
Mrs. StOckley's half-sister, to Aus'ra
liza. Darbury gasped. But 1t gaspeu
yet more upon discovering that tne
Journey was to be made, in ultra-mou-
ern style, by airplane. An ordihhrs
ship would have seemed at least re
spectacle.
! The ostensible reason given was
merely visit to the aunts coionia,
relatives. But, Of course, everypous
knew better than to believe that a
deeper motive was needed to inspire