Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-01-03
The Mystery Road
Bye. PHILLIPS OPPENFiEIM
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Learn" she exclaimed "Why,
there has never been any one to teach
me. / have never had lesson In my
life. just listened to the music and
watched the people, and then l saw
that 1t was quite easy. Oh. how I
love IT."
What a pity | can't have you to my
supper party tonight" Gerald sighed.
She leaned toward him. She was
still a little out of breath. Her cheeks
were pink. her eyes aglow.
"AIayn't / come. please, Gerald?" she
begged. 81 should be so happy"
Gerald looked doubtful
There would be the devil TO pay
with Christopher" he pointed out.
And. besides, it really isn't the place
for you"
What do you mean? she persisted.
'Well, It's a bohemian sort of af-
fair" Gerald explained. little awk.
.wardly. '"fhe girls aren't all of them
just what they should be-"
MYRTLE laughed again.
but what does that matterT' she
protested. They will not hurt me or
them. When l am not dancing with
you, | can sit alone and talk to no
one"
Gerald shook his head.
Cant be done, little girl he decid-
ed, regretfully. christopher Is quite
right when he says ought not to en-
courage the taste for that sort of life
In you at all. These girls all drink a
lot of champagne, and smoke furiously
lead rotten lives, most OF them-an6
| their conversation s0metlmes-well, 1t
wouldn't be fit for you to listen TO.
Some evening or other I'll have quite
small party-just one or two who /
know are all right"
THAT isn't what | want" MYRTLE de-
clared. Il want TO go to the party to-
night You win dance with other girls
| II am not there / don't want you to
mot today. at any rate. You have
danced with me, and 1t was wonder
| full"
Il begin TO think that I don't want
to dance with any one else myself"
Gerald confessed, looking at her admir-
lngly. "I'n think 1t over on the way
| back"
They made their way out to the open
space in front Of the hotel, where Ger
/ aid had left the car, and very soon
/ they were on their way homeward.
Driving, for the first half-hour. abb
sorbed Geralds whole attention, and
| MYRTLE leaned back in the low seat by
4 his side. filed with the Joy of their
rapid ascent, the smooth, birdlike mo-
ton Werlich seemed to be taking them.
with scarcely an effort, up into the
/ clouds
81 think" MYRTLE whispered, that
! this Is the real road which leads TO
happiness. The road down there is
tangled and twisted here one seems
10 breathe more wonderfully. TO come
nearer TO things one feels but does not
! understand II is more like the air
around the farm, when used TO get up
sometimes before the sunrise and walk
1 through the violet patch and tina
Expresses to the gate. The sun rose at
the end of the road"
"You are quaint child, MYRTLE"
Gerald reflected. Il wonder what would
have happened TO you II we had not
passed along that night"
She shiyered
Il know" she answered. 81 am quite
sure thatI know. felt II in my heart
when leaned over the gate and looked
20 the end of the road There was the
mystery there towards which l seemed
always to have CROPPED. That night ii
was the mystery Of life or the mystery
I Of death You came. and II was life"
They were travelling more slowly
now. crawling along the level stretch
Of ledge-llke road at its extreme sum-
nit. Gerald had never before felt the
/ fascination of the girl by his side as
be felt II In those moments. He
stretched out his left hand and she
grlpped II in hers, tearing of her
gloves so that her fingers could clasp
! bis
And since II is life" he asked. Is
the mystery pssslng7"
Her eyes were swimming with the
desire Of happiness
There is no mystery any longer"
she told him II know what lies ST
the end Of the road. where the sun
used TO rise, I know now
Gerald mpressionable as ever. felt
the spurious glow ar exaltatIon. spurl-
Gus because its tafuence was wholly
/ external His face became grayer, his
tone WAS almost stern
what we hope you will find there"
be said. is happiness Christopher
has explained 10 you about this post ID
i Enelandg"
Yes" she answered
"You will Ike III"
I "Not"
"But you must be happy, MYRTLE We
want you ito be happy" Gerald de-
elared
I (TO BE CoN7INuEpsl
/ Any Offers?
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