The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-28
CHAPTER. XT

Nature never vouchsafed to wearied
man lovelier day of rest than the still
Sunday on which Frank Armitage rode
slowly back from the station. The soft,
mellow tone of the church bell, tolling
the summons for morning service, float.
ed out from the brown tower and was
echoed back from the rocky cliff glisten.
ing in the August sunshine on the
northern bluff. Groups Of villagers hung
about the steps Of the little sanctuary
and gazed with mild curiosity at the ar
irving parties from the cottages and the
hotel. The big red omnibus came up
with load Of worshipers, and farther
away, down the vista Of the road, Armi.
tage could see others on foot and in car.
riases, all vending their way to church.
He was in no mood to meet them. The
story that he had been ont pursuing
tramp during the night was pretty thor
oughly circulated BY this time, he felt
assured, and every one would connect
his early ride to the station, In some
way, with the adventure that the
grooms, hostlers, cooks and kitchen
maids had all been dilating upon ever
since daybreak. He dreaded to meet the
curious glances Of the women and the
questions Of tie few men whom he had
taken SO for into his confidence as to
ask about the mysterious person who
came over in the stage with them.
He reined up his horse, and then,
seeing little pathway leading into the
thick wood to his right he turned in
thither and followed it some 80 yards
among bordering treasures of ooreopsis
and goldenrod and wild luxurianoe of
vine and foliage. Dismounting in the
shade, he threw the re;ps over his arm
and lot his horse crop tle juicy grasses,
while he seated himself on o little
stump and fell to thinking again. He
could hear the reverent voices Of one or
two visitors strolling about among the
peaceful, flower decked graves behind
the little church and onlys short stones
throw away through the shrubbery. He
could hear the low solemn voluntary Of
the organ and presently the glad out
burst Of young voices In the opening
hymn, but he knew that belated ones
would still be coming to church, and he
would not come forth from his covert
until all were out of the way. Then,
too, he was glad Of little longer time
to think. He did not want to tell the
colonel the result Of his morning inves-
legations.
To begin with, the watchman, the
driver and the two men whom he had
questioned wore all Of an opinion as to
the character Of tho stranger-'he was
a military man" The passengers de-
scribed his voice as that Of man Of
education and social position; the driver
and passengers declared his walk and
carriage to be that Of soldier. He
was taller, they said, than the tall, stall
wart Saxon captain, but by no means so
heavily built. AS to age, they could
not toll. His beard was black and curly
-no gray hairs. His movements were
quick and elastic, but his eyes were
hidden by those colored glasses, and his
forehead by the slouch Of that broad
brimmed felt hat.
At the station, while awaiting the
answer to his dispatch. Armitage had
questioned the agent as to whether any
man Of that description had arrived by
the night train from the north. He had
seen none, he said, but there was Lar
sen over ut the postofioe store, who
came down ON that train. Perhaps he
could tell Oddly enough, Mr.. Larsen
recalled just such o party-tall, slim,
dark, dark bearded, with blue glasses
and dark hat and clothes-but he was
bound for Lakeville, the station beyond,
and he remained in the car when be
Narsen) got off, Larsen remembered the
man we'll, because he sat In the rear
corner Of the smoker and had nothing to
say to anybody. but kept reading o
newspaper, and ;he way hs came to take
note Of him was that while standing
with two friends at that end of the car.
Continued on Page Il.
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