Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-18
And the Big
Surprise Comes at
the End, as 1t
Should in HI
Ve,.y Good Stories.
II Vacufim That
Upset Con0ention.

M
road-Scarcely more than a trai-a
steep precipice fell away into the valley. The
shadows were growing long, the air was cool,
smelling of damp earth and woodlands.
far away, country hill smell,
/ Wrenching the wheel around after sharp
Jerk over big boulder, Hal Moore raised his
eyes to where, above the trees Of small clear
ing on the very summit of the little mountain,
q thin wisp of smoke trailed from the just Wis
ible top Of stone chimney.
Good" he said aloud to the squirrel which
whisked across his path, shes there. So ais
WE'LL"
He smiled and stepped on the throttle with
such impotence that the indignant fivver spiut-
tered and threatened to stall. The machine,
weary with several years Of country hacking,
took little interest in one love trySt more or less.
But If the rattletrap little car had really
been able to feel humanity it could hardly have
helped being thrilled by the sight of the girl
who stood in the doorway of the long. low log
house in front of which the car and its driver
came to halt few minutes later.
Mary was very slim and lovely, in a green
linen dress, her brown hair blown by the eve
ming wind her eyes shining with excitement
and pleasure.
Hal jumped out, and flung his arms around
her.
ssT WAS worried, honey all the way up in
the train. Really, shouldn't have let
you come before me like this; it was risky.
And you've had a long day alone I'm afraid"
risky? Not was all quite simple.
lust walked out of the apartment with my suit
case after Jim had left this morning. The
garage man in Millville brought me up here
and waited around in the village while I bought
supplies and things. I haven't been bit
loneIy-I worked around and got the place in
order. And besides, I knew it wouldn't be
long till you were here"
rAnd here ami Here, in fact, we both
are Alone at last as the penny thrillerS
have it."
"Yes, here We are. Oh, Hal, it's lovely up
here! Two glorious days all to ourselves, and
no one the wiser. There isn't any New York
or any worries. Only you and me and the
amountains"
"E6u are good little sport to do it, Mary
With arms around each others shoulders
they gazed of across the endless woods No
sign of habitation was visible. The water of
the little hill lake shimmered blue and mystic
rious at the foot Of the steep path behind the
cabin.
Turning they walked into their home-for-
lEW0-days. Red curtains hung at the low win
dows, beech logs cracked cheerfully in the
huge fireplace. A long table made of logs and
in few rustic chairs completed the furniture.
At one end of the room wooden hunks were
built into the chinked walls. On one Of these
was spread pair of brown camp blankets, and
the pillow, filled with pine needles, sat primly
in place.
/, "Old Harry does himself pretty well here
doesn't he? It's six years since that Fall
when was up here hunting with him. and the
whole place is kept as neat as wax, though he
uses it so little"
y 1T was nice of him to lend it to you-but
Hal. he's so fond Of Jim. Do you think he
knew we"
Hal placed his hands on her shoulders and
eyed her sternly.
"Now look here, Mary. Just forget Jim for
these two days. There are you and and
all the Berkshire hills, and that's all. See?"
I'm sorry, dear"
~ She dropped kiss on his cheek and he
walked about, inspecting the room. His eyes
fell on the bunk bed.
you've done lot of work, DEAR But
how about that bed? There's no mattress
you know. And even for honeymooners those
bare boards win be pretty grim work I'll cut
sOme spruce boughs before it gets dark"
Hal took a small Ratchet from the mantle
piece and started for the door.
Coming out to watch me heW down the
forest primeval?" he asked.
"No-Tm going to start cooking our supper
while you're gone. You see how domestic
,eaIy am! New York's butterfly turns into
natures housewife And this is such a darling
house to make believe in with you"
He Strode lean and tall, out into the nearby
woods, and sang Justify while the white chips
FELL under his Ratchet Strskes And when