The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-07-05

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From first page
| sorted the wheat from the chaff; and
can count my friends on my fingers
on one hand, indeed"
"Then let me be the little finger"
she said, shyly.
The sound of horses hoofs outside
made her withdraw her hand suddenly,
and frightened look came over her
face. Oliver picked up his riding
whip, bit his lower lip, and waited.
Mac, with growl, skunk up to his
masters heels. The door was flung
rudely open, and man stepped in the
room, so overcome with angerhe could
at first form no words-a little man,
with q dark evil face, sunken eyes, and
long black beard. His corduroy suit
was dripping, and the hat he flung on
the table soaking wet. He had the air
of one who had ridden fast in an evil
mood.
"Are you keeping hotel, Madame
de Restaud?" he Missed. Truly this
is a very pleasant surprise for man."
"The gentleman asked shelter, Hen
ri" the girl said, trembling. "He lost
his way, and Louis would not tell him
how to find Lord Morris place."
"You can Of course give me the d.
rection," Oliver said, courteously,
though his hand clinched the whip
handle tighter. "Lord Morris told me
of your hunting exploits. l thought
we should have met before this; but
Doctor John and are unsociable sort
of men and don't go about much"
''The road you came, straight down
two miles, turn to the left" said De
Restaud, coldly. my man has your
mare ready"
Thanks. Mrs. de Restaud, you
have shown true western hospitality.
1 shall always remember it. Good
night"
He could not look at that shrinking
figure, with its frightened eyes.
"Good-by," shs said, sadly. II hope
you will find your road"
As he closed the door he heard her
give cry Of pain, as If she had been
rudely seized, and he almost stopped,
then went hastily down the steps. He
wished one of the ruf1ans dismount-
ing before the porch would speak to
him; he would have liked to silence
him. No one spoke, however. Even
Louis led the mare up in silence. OIL
yer looked her over as he mounted,
tossed the man dollar, and said, as he
cantered off:
II trust you and I will meet again,
my civil friend"
The gate was open, so he went easily
past all pitfalls and, the mare being
rested, in short time he saw the light
from his own cabin, and with an odd
sense of comfort, too. A lost, homeless
man is pitiful object the world over.
Mike rushed out to take the mare; he
was just going to look for him; the
doctor had worried. But Oliver, with
out word, went into the house. He
went to his cigar box, Lit cigar, then
stood before his own hearth with q
queer air of possession. It was just as
he thought. There sat Dr. John in
that ridiculous lowered dressing gown
and embroidered cap, with his eternal
pipe, as unconcerned as possible.
Back at last, old manp" said DR..
John, cheerily. eve were getting
worried about you"
Thanks" growled Oliver.
"We waited supper" continued the
other, little, elderly man, with
bright blue eyes, close-cut gray hair
and long gray beard. mike was
bound to go for you."
And you to prevent him." sneered
Oliver.
swell, 1 did think it nonsense.
Where could he look? Let's eat"
81 am not hungry. I had supper"
"Where?''
cat q house," Oliver answered,
briefly, as Mike entered with the sup
per things. However, he sat down and
found himself eating heartily.
Neither man spoke, DR.. John being
used to divers moods. The meal over,
they sat before the fire. Oliver took
cigar, while DR.. John lit his pipe.
81 was at the summit of Sisty's peak
to-day" said Oliver, after long ST.
lence.
"Ah?' interrogative1y from DR.. John.
81 followed an anteIope-a splendid
shot, the best I've had; big buck"
TOO bad you did not bring it. We're
out Of meat"
''But did. know you" Oliver
smiled. 1.-THE evidence is on my sad
de-"
''There's a butcher-shop at Park
ville." said DIR. John, meditatively.
SIS there?" said Oliver. indiferently.
IT was not that way. had supper at
De Restaud's."
''The crazy Frenchman's? Honestly,
Craig?"
II give you my word. His wife is .
sweet little woman"
"They all are to you, my boy. Your
weakness. You don't sayl-at De
Restaud's!' DR.. John smoked awhile
over it. Actually got in his housed
Why, they say he is the very devil. You
were lucky you didn't lose your life in
stead Of your way"
F Craig looked into the fire. He thought
of the little girl in the yellow gown.
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