The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-10-23

Time and distance alike faded from his
thoughts in the ardor of the pursuit, until
he was at length recalled to sense OF the
situation by finding his further progress
checked by little river which wound Its
way along the bottom of a steep ravlne,
and, standing on the edge of the cliff, had
the modification to watch the heron flap
slowly away into the blue distance. Then,
with hasty ejaculation, Aleck turned
away and took out his watch.
aBy Jove! nearly 4 o'clock, and prom
ised to be back in half an hour A nice
sort of fellow they'll be thinking me il il
they have waited there all this time. Well
I suppose there's nothing for it but to make
the best speed back again. It's east for
about an hour and then bit south, !
know"
No misgiving as to the correctness OF this
conclusion entered Mr.. Fairburn's head TIL
after nearly an hour sharp walking. Then
an uncomfortable suspicion that the great
tor before him was strangely unfamiliar in
aspect gradually forced its way to the front.
Just at the same time the wind suddenly
shifted to the west and before the question
of the tors identity could be settled the
whole horizon had vanished from the wan
derer's sight, and dense, dark fog advanc-
ed over the moor with giant strides, till 1t
completely enveloped him in its chill en-
brace.
To attempt to advance in the sudden
darkness seemed folly, for pitfalls abounded
on every side; and even Aleck Fairburn S
impetuosity was so far quenched that he
sat himself down on great block of gray
granite to await the course of events. A
quarter of an hour-half an hour-an hour
went by thus, and still no hint of the cold
veil being lifted Then Celtic impatience
could no longer be controlled.
"Bog-holes and quarries be hanged l
can't sit here all night exclaimed Aleck,
as he rose from his hard seat, his limbs al
ready chilled and stiff. "There must sure
ly be some sort of shelter to be found, even
in this forsaken end of the earth, if one
does but look carefully enough for it. At
any rate, I can't stand this any longer"
But it was desperately slow work in the
semi-darkness, feeling ones way cautiously
forward over the rough and broken ground,
thickly strewn with sharp fragments of
granite; and the autumn evening was far
advanced before Aleck at last found him.
self near a human habitation a low,
stone hut, which seemed to start out of the
ground at his feet, SO suddenly it doomed
upon him through the fog. The cottage
stood quite alone, surrounded by low
stone wall, which enclosed little bit of
land that had been reclaimed from the
moor.
But no friendly gleam shone out from
the small square window to welcome the
weary and belated traveller, nor did his loud
and continuous knocking elicit any answer
from within. Still, inhabited or uninhab-
tied, the hut offered at least better shelter
for the night than the cold damp moor
could do. So with one vigorous push from
his broad shoulder Mr.. Fairburn presently
forced open the. low door and stumbled for
ward into the dark apartment. At first he
thought it untenanted. There were embers
on the hearth, but not spark of life in
them. He spoke, but no voice answered.
When, however, he succeeded in striking a
match he observed in the furtherest corner
what seemed bundle of clothing, and fur
ther inquiry resulted in the discovery of an
old woman huddled together in state Of
most abiect terror. Aleck endeavored by
gentle words to allay the alarm which his
forcible entrance had evidently excited, and
after some time succeeded with difficulty in
inducing her to quit her place of refuge
"I've got mort to give zee sir! mort to
give ZEE! IF 'ee was to take arl there be
in the place, it wouna' bring ZEE ten shil.
lin, sweer What do zee want wi a
poor old soul like me?''
"Come, guidwife, you don't really take
me for burglar?' said Mr.. Fairburn
laughing. "You know l knocked civilly
enough, too, before made my way in this
unceremonious fashion. Surely you don't
expect hungry man, who has lost his way
in the fog, to spend the night contentedly
out there on the moor while he sees foul
walls before him for shelter? Just let me
have bit of fire and little food of any
sort you've got, and I'll lie down on the
hearth here till morning, and pay you well
for your trouble"
The owner of the cottage seemed strange
ly dismayed by these very modest de-
mands.
'Daun't ZEE go vur to AK me to do it, Iii
now daunt'ee, she pleaded, earnestly
s'I'm a lone widder- woman; widder Trown
son, they carlls me; an I've gort mort vii
vur gentry to set avoree ZEE. Can't ZEE &C
on iist bit varder? 1t bain't more'n itt
mile or 20 down to A, where ZEE NIGH
get the best o everythin' to the Blue
Boar! And what be ite mile to the like o
you, zir?"
'Not very much, perhaps, guidwife, il
the daylight, but good deal more than
am disposed to undertake just now. Come
make the best of bad job, there's good
old creature; and when you find bit o
gold in your hand tomorrow morning
you'll forgive me the little trouble 1 shall
cause you. And I'll promise to mend you
door for you into the bargain? Only lie
me have bit of fire at once, for this fog o
yours has chilled my very marrow
Widow Trownson began new expostula
tions, which her visitor summarily Gu
short.
"Just tell me where you keep your wood
or peat, or whatever it is, and I'll sool
have blaze myself, if you really are to-
scared to set about it for me, guidwife. ."
The threat seemed at once to collect thu
old lady's scattered wits, and she hurriedly
hobbled from the room, muttering as sh
went:
aHe'm that masterful, hem just naythu
to hold nor to bind! Lit un take it on
own head if harm cometh of it,
After short absence the widow return
ed with an abundant supply of peats, AM
with trembling fingers hastened to built
up fire, whose glowing heat soon restore,
the circulation to the young mans chilled
frame Then, with an alacrity much il
contrast to her previous reluctance, sh
proceeded to place on the table a coars
loaf and piece of cold bacon, and also t
prepare some tea, the heat of which i
some degree compensated for its villanou
flavor. While the self-invited guest wa
busy in doing more than justice to tn
scanty meal, his hostess absented herself