The Bozeman courier., 1927-07-15
The Haunt Of Blue River By .,..,... ,,.,.,
Elizabeth Miller

the living room looked as seen from the
doorway, with it's rows of crowded book
shelves, and evidence of comfortable mas
culine occupation.
Straker was sprawled half asleep in a
long cane chair, and as he started up
with an expression of vague dismay, ALI
sons courage failed her and she felt
incredibly silly.
I'm awfully sorry" she said family,
but wondered if you would be so kind
as to lend me book. My name is Ali
son Morrow. I'm Mr.. Blair's secretary"
Quite noticeably Miles Straker WINGED
and poor Alison wondered if she was as
bad to look at as all that.
Il know" he said. "Certainly-help
yourself. What sort Of a book would you
like?'
His voice and manner were perfectly
courteous, and he did not remind ALI
son that the living room in the guest
house was well furnished with every de-
scription Of literature, or If that failed
her, she had only to make an extensive
choice from the library in the assembly
house. She, however, was conscious of
the poorness Of her excuse, and flushed
miSerably.
81 didn't come for that, really" she
forced herself to say.
Straker favored her with an inquiring
| look and they stood facing each other
across a big writing table, Uttered with
all sorts of fascinating odds and ends.
Quite obviously he was waiting for her
to proceed with her story and he did not
ask her to be seated. Her feelings boiled
up and over.
you have been very unkind to me, ;,
she said angrily. ST can't help being
here. 1t isn't my fault if Uncle Roddy
didn't find out beforehand that you don't
know how to be civil to a woman.
haven't said anything to him yet-but
since my presence is so terribly distaste-
full to you, I'm going to ask favor, that
you'll send me back to Fort Myers to-
morrow. I can wait there until Uncle
Roddy and the others have had enough
Of you. In my country even the most
swelled headed, heaven sent genius
wouldn't be afraid Of risking his dignity
by giving an occasional kind word tC
such a worm as l."
AS her speech proceeded, Alisor
warmed to it Historically until, at the
end, she realized that she had rather
overdone it. If she stayed any longer II
seemed inevitable that she would burst
into tears, so she turned to go; but be-
fore her exit was accomplished Mile;
Straker was beside her and had caught
one Of her wrists.
That's how it seemed to you-and
don't blame your he cried. please for
give me: if you can. There was a rea'
son"
81 know your reason" Alison sobbed
your fathers fault?"
His hold on her frightened and she gav
a gasp Of pain.
That's how little you really do know!
> Straker exclaimed violently. You ar
y not a stranger, and I always felt tina
7 some day you would come back to tor
) ture me, perhaps in this very way
Alison gasped again, but this time i
/ was not because ne held her wrist s
( my God. what do you mean!' sh
} whispered.
= For several days past her intense in
/ terest in Straker and his determined ig
t noring Of her had thrust into the back
V ground those eerie feelings Of herself a
4 a ghost haunting old scenes and wit
S sealed orders to perform some Difficult
r task, but his extraordinary assertion re
q called them to her with renewed urgenc'
He dropped his hold of her and pasSe
e his hand across his eyes as though to ri
himself Of an unpleasant thought.
: please forgive me. I oughtn't to haV
n said that"
a But you did say it," Alison insisted
S you must have meant something"
Il Straker waved aside her fearful eager
s ness.
do you thing haven't seen youP Z
r you think haven't been aware OF yo'
d day and night every moment since 20
t came? God-I could tell you! I'm nC
I. quite so 'swelled headed as I've give
n you reason TO imagine. But I alWa.
g knew always knewl That's what MAKE
it so internally bitter-that I knew yo
d would come back-Just as I-staye
e. here"
e AS he spoke he paced to and fro like q
animal confined in a small cage. Ar
apparently that was how he felt, for /
d cried in tone Of despair: ''The wor
W isn't big enoughP
le Suddenly ne stopped in front Of Also
r held her face in his hands and bendiI
er down kissed her full on the lips, hui
ID cry, impassioned kiss that give her
ID life, yet took hers in fair exchange.
A moment later, she was runnil
is blindly under the scorching heat of Il
l. sun across the shtmmering sand al
g Wiregrass to the guest house, where 81
Or found Madame Duplessus in a Law
n. wrapper tanning herself and drinkil
d lemonade, disposed to complaints Of t
is August weather one discovered in Flo
lie ida in December.
We We v.
III A change had come over the spirit
their host, but it was so subtle that
! - one except Victor GabrieIli noticed
4 that is to say, except Gabrielh and A
t son. Since it concerned her so vital
OA she could not help knowing.
4y That night at supper in the big dini
" hall Straker asked their pleasure as !
=. garded picnic for tomorrow, and Ais
11s was specifically included in the convC
SaC1On.
ne Gabrielli nudged her with his elbo
20 20 you have been up to something. VIII
IL is it?" he demanded. Milford has d
-. covered you are here. don't believe
Us Gid it by himself"
y u Prof. Blount said that if it mattered
- nobody else he, personally, was lOngi
W to pay a visit to the famous Sulph
a. a. Springs which he understood we're M;
y u ter Of fifteen miles drive through
~ pine woods.
1v The others thought this a good i'd
Of and Straker said they could start
he dawn, breakfast by the way and res
err Sne springs IN Time 4or patn pe!
so lunch, returning in the ccol Of the Il
rer afternoon.
IN They would drive in a three-seated 81
ce. rey. drawn by the pair Of Morgan hor
are Straker had imported from Kentuc
tai and young Angus Whirtie would be
INT the party to perform the objectiona
-