The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-04
"Stanislaus JOG" responded Mr.. Ryder

The cabin offered but scanty accommoda
ton to the tourists; which fact, when Ia
dignantly presented to Mrs. Rightbody, wa
explained by the good humored Ryder from
the circumstance that the usual hotel wa
only slight affair OF boards, cloth and paper
put up during the season, and partly dis
mantled in the fall. "You couldn't be kept
warm enough there" he added, Neverthe
| less Miss 4 lice noticed that both Mr. Ryder
and Stanislaus Joe retired there with their
pipes, after having prepared the ladies
supper, with the assistance OF an Indian
earth at the coming Of the party, and dis
| appeared rs nysterously.
The .tarS came out brightly before they
| slept; and the next morning clear, unwink-
ing sun bcained with almost summer power
through the shuttcrlcss window Of their
cabin, and ironically disclosed the details of
its rude interior. Two or three nancy, half
eaten buffalo robes, a bcarskin, some sus-
uciOuS looking blankets, rifles and saddles,
deal tables and barrels made up its scant in
vcntOrv \ strip of faded calico hung be
fore recess near the chimney, but 50 black
eucd 10y smoke and age that even feminine
curiosity respected its secret. Mrs. Right
body was IN high spirits, and Informed her
duu -htar that she was at last on the track Of
Der husbands unknown correspondent "Scv-
cnty-four and Sevcuty-dye represent two
members Of the vigilance committee my
dar, and Mr.. Ryder will assist nc to find
them"
OR Ryder" calculated Miss Alice, il
sroruful astonishment.
"Aligo, said Mrs. Rightbody, with a s,ls-
picous assumption of sudden defence, you
iniure yourself, you lnjurc me, 10y this czclu-
sivo attitude Mr. Ryder is a friend of your
fathers, an exceedingly well Informed gentle
man. have not, of course, impaired TO him
the extent of my suspicious. But he can help
me TO what / must and will know. You
might treat him little more civilly-or, at
least, n little better than you do his servant,
your guide Mr. Ryder is IA gentleman, and
not paid courier
Miss Alice was suddenly at entivc. When
she spoke again, she asked, "Why do you not
flrl something about this Sisbic-who died
or was hung-or something of that kind"
Child" said Mrs. Rghtbofy, don't you
see there was no Sisbie, or, if there
was, he was simply the confdant of that
woman"
a knock at the door, announcing the pres
enre of Mr.. Ryder and Stanislaus Joe with
the horses checked Mrs, Rishtbodys speech
As the animals were being packed, Mrs.
Rightbody for a moment Withdrew in conf
Dental conversation with Mr.. Ryder, and, to
the young lady's still greater annoyance, left
her alone with Stanislaus Joe. Mss Alice
was not in good temper, but she felt it neces-
sary 10 say something
II hope the hotel offers better quarters for
travellers than this in summer" she began.
at does.'
"rhen this does not belong to itl'
"No, ma'am."
"Who lives here, them
II do"
81 beg your pardon, "stammered Miss Alice,
Il thought you lived where we hired
where we met you-in-in-- You must ex-
c,ise mo"
"I'm not regular guide; but as times were
hard, and was out Of grub, took the job"
"Out OF grub!' "jobm And she was tho
"job." What would Henry Marvin sayi 1t
would nearly kill him. She began herself to
feel a little frightened, and walked towards
tho door.
zone moment, miss
Tho young girl hcsitated. The mans tone
was surly, and yet indicated certain kind of
half-pathetic grievance. Her curiosity got
the better Of her prudence, and She turned
back
"'Ihis morning." he began hastily, when
we wore coming down the valley, you picked
me up twice"
81 picked you up!" repeated the astonished
Alice
"Nes, contrddicted me; that's what |
mean; once when you said those rocks were
volcanic, once when you said the flower you
picked was poppy. | didn't let on at the
time, for it wasn't my say; but all the while
you were talking | might have laid for
yOu-'
Il don't understand you," said Alice
Il might have entrappod you before folks
But only want You to know that IN right,
and here are the books to show it."
He drew aside the dingy calico curtain, re-
vealed small shelf of bulky books, took
down too large volumcs-onc of botany, one
OF gcoloSy-nervously sought his text, and
put them in Alice's outstretched hands
81 had no intention" she began, half
proudly, half embarrassedy.
"Am right, missl' he interrupted
81 presume you are, if you say son
That's all, mn'am. Thank you"
Before the girl had time to reply he was
gone. When he again returned it was with
her horse, and Mrs. Rightbody and Ryder
were awaiting her. But Miss Alice noticed
that his own horse was missing
Are you not going with us = she asked.
mo, maam."
ooh, indeed!n
Miss Alice felt her speech was feeble con-
but it was all she could say.
She, however, did something. Hitherto it
had been her habit to Systematically reject his
assistance in mounting A hpr Noun ba