Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-10-24
TWO ON A TRAMP.

But what will people say? Are
you not very foolish defying the world
In this fashion," Bella Dene said, seri-
ously, showing as much distress rs her
placid features were capable OF ex-
pressing.
People can say what they like. l
don't care" Matte Burton answered.
with slight infection of scorn in her
voice. Il have made up my mind to
go. Belle, and go | will"
Bella claspcd her hands and heaved
n little sign. then she liked her light
blue eyes plaintiyely on her compan-
iou's face.
II eau understand your desire to 90
away for n change; but why not go
like any other reasonable being?"
Because | am not reasonable, |
suppose" Matte broke in. shortly.
aud she drew her brows together in
an impatient frown. ''rhe idea struck
me US being a novel and interesting
one. aud mean TO carry it out"
TO tramp about the country like
like--a beggar!" Bella went on. al
most tearfully. People will think
you mad"
''Let them think so-it won't hurt
me-" Matte answered, and n smile
broke over her face; besides, there
are very few who will trouble them
selves about my movements.
Bella sat suddenly upright. and for
a laoment she looked rather strangely
u her friend.
"But those few. Matte. how do you
think hey will receive your eccentric
notion?n
Mattie's checks flushed deeply, and
for an instant she seemed doubtful.
Then, rearing her head proudly. she
answered, with suppressed defiance:
Il know what you would imply,
Bella that | may probably lose my
pupils. cannot help it; l must run
even that risk"
We'll Of course. You know your
own business best" Bella said. in a
voice of piquc. II have warned you.
and II you are so bent upon going
your own way it is Of no use my talk
ing to you."
Not the least in the world" Matt'e
TRANQUILITY responded; then. seeing the
hurt expression on her friends face.
she bent forward aud kissed her.
Il did not mean to veX you, Bella.
1t is good Of you to interest yourself
in me-"
When do you startp"
EARLY tomorrow morning"
And how long will it take you to
get thereP"
Two or three days, expect"
Bella rose to her feet. and for n few
moments stood staring at her friend
with eyes in which anxiety and pro-
found commiseration were blended.
Il hopo you will have a pleasant
Holiday" she said, at length. in tone
which seemed to imply strong doubt
as to Mattie's enjoyment. You are a
strange girl. Matte. and I really don't
know whether to feel most sorry for
or angry with you"
''Don't worry about me ut all. T"
Matte replied. with n short laugh.
Then they kissed each other. and
Bella went away.
The next day. clad in sensible
blue serge walking dress. strong
stick in her hand. aud a small KNAPP
sack strapped 10 her back. Matte Bur-
ton started of on her tramp.
She went early in the morning TO
avoid the comments of her friends and
the vulgar curiosity OF her neighbors.
The weather being line. and not too
warm. she could walk briskly until
she had left the town behind, aud
gained the moro secluded green lanes.
That day she walked with but little
rest. and when in the dusk of evening
she found herself at the door OF a
small. quaint-looking inn. she was
very glad indeed to enter its hospi-
table door, to obtain food aud shelter
for the night.
When she had bathcd her face aud
brushed her hair Matte descended to
the one tiny sittins-room.
The inn-keeper's wife was busy lay
ing the cloth; but she looked up with
rather an embarrassed air as Matte
entered.
There's a gentleman just arrived.
miss. n traveller. like yourself. and he
seems in a mighty hurry for his din
ner. Would you mind II he dincd in
hers because we have no other room~
Matte hcsitated; she did not like
the idea. and would have said SO had
not an expression on the woman's
comely face prevented her. she flushed
aud paled rapidly, but at last an-
swered:
mo. I do not mind. Is the gentle
man oldp"
We'll. not over young. MISS" the
woman replied. cautiously. And
thank You. kindly; I'm sure you've
taken great load of my mind"
Il suppose this Is one IT those mis-
adventures against which Bella
warned me-" Matte thought. when
Mrx Brownson had left tho room.
"Ah. we'll! as have taken upon my
self mans Independence must
make the best OF tIiings."
Her reflections were brought to an
end by tho abrupt entrance Of gem
tleman. and. catching upan illustrated
paper from table. Matte hid her hot
face behind it. but not before her quick
glance had seen that tho stranger was
young. good-looking. aud dressed In q
we!l-iilting tourist suit.
lie stopped short, in some confusion
as his eyes rested upon the girl. and
for a moment hc looked rather dubi-
ously from her TO the table already
laid for two. aud back TO her again.
II beg your PARDON ho said. at
last. and Matte gave u perccptible
start aud let the paper fall; .'but--I
think have made n mistake"
mo- not ut AL" Matte answered.
coolly, and she gave him a clear. un-