Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-10-31
The Shortest Way
Home
BY ]. A. WALDRON

| band, I've asked Jack Went
North 10 stay at least another week,
and he demurs. Says he doesn't want
to wear his welcome out. l wish you'd
insist upon his remaining!"
"That would suit, me all right" was
Paine's reply. I'D like to have him
here for long time yet. But do you
remember that you demurred to his
coming at all when l invited him?"
81 had a reason. didn't fully ex-
plain it to you, but :"
"Oh, knew your reason!"
"You did? Well, we shall not go
into that now. knew your reason
for wanting him here"
Hes the most charming man we've
ever had as guest!"
"Good-lOoking-y And a corking
golfer"
But he has so little money! That,
in brief, was the objection you made
when I invited him. And l saw
through it to your real objection
Isabel. You were afraid she might
fall in love with him."
Il confess it. But see it was
baseless fear. Jack is thirty-five, and
set in bachelorhood. Isabel insists
more and more upon career as
| writer. She persists that men inter
est her only as types and that she
will never marry. want Jack here
for his social utility. and for enter
tainment."
you're like all other women in
your set. Jack us a guest would be
desirable to all of them--if he had
money. But where they have mar
riageable daughters they watch him
as u cat would watch mouse"
"Why not? So would If there
should be any danger as to Isabel.
And you! Why, you'd never think of
that if you could learn point in
golf! What creatures men are!"
mo worse than women who would
keep Jack around-with reservations"
Paine turned on his heel with a.
cynical smile, and Mrs. Paine's nose
was in the air as she walked away.
She came upon Jack and Isabel, who
had been exploring forest upon the
estate.
Far away from the Paine place
mountain doomed, and Mrs. Paine for
days had talked about picnic party
to explore the height. Since her first
visit to Switzerland she had been pos
sessed with mania for mountain
climbing at home. She determined
that this journey should be taken the
next day. Major Dawson, also
guest, and Jack and Isabel were in
vited to go with her. Refreshments
We're packed in motor. and the next
morning they started.
The roads were so, bad that they
found they could not reach the noun,
tain that day. They were miles from
home, in wooded region strange to
all of them. They started to return
before nightfall. At point where
three path-like roads met, Albert, the
chauffeur was puzzled as to the way.
He involved the machine in his con-
fusion, and it broke down hopelessly.
Jack and Isabel had discussed many
none, and at the moment were not
speaking to each other. Mrs. Paine
verged upon Mysteries when it was
found that they were stalled.
"Jack," said Major DAWSON, zone
or both of us must set out for help.
We can't stay here all night. 1t may
be possible to dig up machine"
Jacks descent from the motor
seemed impulsive. "Why shouldn't
we explore these two different roads
you and II" he asked, indicating the
two unknown ways.
albert can so along one. I'll match
you to see whether you or take the
other. One of us should remain with
the ladies'" suggested the major.
"All right" said Jack, resignedly.
The major was Il sport. but he lost.
II shall go with the major" said Mrs,
Paine, in determined tone. The an
| tagonistic attitudes of Jack and Isa-
bel had treasured her again. And she
and the major took one of the roads
together. while Albert started to ex-
plore the other
Jack lighted cigar cite, and lean
ing against the machine asked: Are
you afraid of the night?"
Not in the least" replied Isabel
Light from full moon filtered
through the trees, and an owl set up
cry.
An hour later the major and Mrs.
Paine reappeared in u flivver. Jack
and Isabel were not in sight. The
motor horns were sounded repeatedly,
but Albert alone responded. His
quest had been in vain.
A fruitless search had been made
for Jack and Isabel-though there had
been no publicity-when three days
later they were driven up to the Paine
place by farmer-like person. Mrs.
Paine received them with restrained