Show finding himself 11 13 by v WARREN DALE 1917 western newspaper union colonl whatever has come over you lillian lililan lillian warde lost in meditation looked up with a slight start and a conscious flush on her charming face you will have to explain netta katta dear she said smilingly why are you so different this visit from last year then you were all animation and sunshine now except uben lien some girl tries t to a outdo you and you are your old daran daring reckless self you are either off alone sketching or mo mooning 1 the exaggeration Is farfetched far fetched declared lillian llo however wever I 1 am going to make a col concession coKes Cession slon it is 13 camouflage camou camou canion camouflage flage I 1 am hiding behind a mask tind and repenting of my sins truth troth Is netta I 1 fear more of n certain individual back bach home than I 1 fancied this is for you only mr air roland barnes young inexperienced shy but oh such a perfect gentleman I 1 encouraged him and his state slate of perfect bliss was a study then one day in the garden my cousin roy hoy coming coining homo ionic greeted me with the usual ligual kiss of relationship I 1 saw mr earnes dames in the distance wicked me mel some spirit of cruel mischief influenced me to guhli over roy mr barnos barnes lid did not know that lie he was a relative lie ile nt at once jumped to the tha conclusion that roy hoy was a lover and disappeared disappeared DIc appeared actually and absolutely and now 1 I am sorry I 1 did it said lillian in a subdued tone for several years lillian and other girl friends of netta lee had come to silver lake to enjoy a months vacation wake up lillian rallied may rolfe the day ensuing theres a mystery afloat at least a rare novelty they say a genuine dyed in the wool old hermit long iong white hair robinson crusoe cap tottering staff and all that has taken possession of the old deserted hut on bear island illow how picturesque 1 commented lillian 1 I would like to sketch this new character on the scene you wont dare to defied may thy say he Is furtive quite wild maybe majba a woman hater you dare me do you said lillian some of the a old id fire of adventure and daring in her ye call it a dare retorted way may 11 what then why wb replied lillian 1 I will not only hunt down this romantic nomad of the lake but I 1 will bring back a faithful sketch of him suppose lie should meditate carrying one of us its off like a knight of old to his baron baronial lol hall ball suggested may baronial nonsense cried lillian wheres lillian inquired netta the next nest morning 1 I saw her put off air down the lake in the canoe with her sketching outfit sald eaid may lillinn lillian had indeed taken the dare she reached bear island and resolutely and unafraid made her way through the brambly bushes towards tile old dismantled hut that had been a familiar Inin landmark dmark for years its door stood open lillian peered in there were signs of recent occupancy but no one was just now in sight lillian looked around curiously she was sur to observe a white wig and a great pair of whiskers a long ions coat and the conventional hermit lierni lt hat on a table our hermit is a sham decided lillian lililan oh ob my she might well start and thrill set over the rude fireplace was a card photograph of herself lillian retreated Ireat cd fluttering over a ann tangible ible m mystery she passed through the door avny to come fact face to face with the hermit lie ile was bringing in some wood at the sight of lillian down went the armful in a blundering way was and there stared up at the unexpected lillian baand ba anes it was almost com erfal only roland looked so distressed lillian figured out tile the complication readily llly site she adopted her most soothing anc and charming so you are the mysterious hermit she salt said 1 I I 1 yes that Is and why did you leave us its till nil so sV strangely angely that day at brighton when my cousin camel your tour cousin wildly shouted roland with hope and why did you come here asked lillian to feast my eyes oil on a sight of why you of course before I 1 went away are you going gain away now not not if you say ay not you dont say not though do you concluded roland boland dismally 1 I do and I 1 hope you mill abandon your foolish role and help my friends enjoy themselves for a week or two A week or two gasped in quivering delight yes nodded lillian at the end of that delightful never to be forgotten vocation vacation 41 1 I will marry many you next june provided yes ses yes murmured roland rapturously ly provided we make a honey honeymoon mood visit to the hermit island where chero you found yourself |