The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-09-18
The Shortest Way
Home
By J. A. WALDRON

1
to wear his welcome out. / 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 a long time yet. But do you
/ remember that you demurred to his
coming at all when / invited him."
Il had reason. / didn't fully ex-
plain 1t 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 | invited him. And / saw
through it to your real objection
Isabel. You were afraid she might
fall in love with him"
Il confess it. But l see it was a
baseless fear. Jack is thirty-ive, and
set in bachelorhood Isabel insists
more and more upon a 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 as a guest would be
roh 10 oil nP fhnrRa-if hn hod
money. But where they have mar
riageable daughters they watch him
as a cat would watch a mouse"
why not? So would / if there
should be any danger as to Isabel
And you'll Why, you'd never think Of
that if you could learn a point in
golf! What creatures men arew
mo worse than women who would
keep Jack around-with reservations"
Paine turned on his heel with
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 a forest upon the
estate.
Far away from the Paine place a
mountain doomed, and Mrs. Paine for
days had talked about a picnic party
TO explore the height. Since her first
visit to Switzerland she had been pos
sessed with a mania for mountain
climbing at home. She determined
that this journey should be taken the
next day. Major Dawson. also a
guest, and Jack and Isabel were in
vited to go with her. Refreshments
were 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 a wooded region strange to
all of them. They started to return
before nightfall. AT a 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 ii broke down hopelessly.
Jack and Isabel had discussed many
things on the journey. agreeing upon
none, and at the moment were not
speaking to each other. Mrs. Paine
verged upon Mysteries when 1t 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 go along one I'll match
you to see whether you or l take the
other. One of US should remain with
the ladies'" suggested the major.
'All right" said Jack, resignedly.
The major was sport, but he lost.
81 shall go with the major" said Mrs.
Paine. in a 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
plore the other.
Jack lighted a cigarette, 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 a 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-whea three days |
later they were driven up TO the Paine |
place by a farmer-like person. Mrs
Paine received them with restrained
excitement. Paine was on the golf
links
This gentleman" said Jack, pre-
senting the farmer-like person, has
been very kind to US. lie found us
in the forest after you had gone and
took us to his home, but his work
would not permit him to bring us back
until today, and the place was remote
from transportation"
Mrs. Paine looked coidly at the
man. Your kindness Is appreciated"
she said. Il would reward you now
but don't know your name. sir"
I'm the Rev. Josiah Penfeld. pas
tor of the Church of the Brethren" he
said. II never set a price on hospi-
tally. and the fee this young man
gave me was the biggest l ever got
for a marriage"