Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-20

and scant hay. We must be on our way
again two hours from this, at least; we
icst the road and were in haste at any
tate" said Weymouth. I'm come out and
look after them in an hour Mind they're
not in the Wind he added. Come, get
down. he said. in colder tone to his fell
low traveller, who, through WEAKNESS or
uncertainty, still sat his horse like a
dropping statue. Strike the mud Off you;
here. I'll help you, them as the man gave
sroan and tried to d;smount. After the
first wrench you're an right. Come! you re
none the worse for your cropper into clay
and mud Queer i'm they keep here" he
said. angrily, as they crossed the yard to-
ward the door whittier one of the hostlers
had pointed them. They could hear a wo-
mans scolding voice inside before it was
opened.
AS the mistress flung it open vice and
stood on the threshold, she babe her guests
good evening in a civil tone, but Insisted
somewhat OStentatioCsly that she desired
guests that night. She had ceased to
keep the tavern since the travel had all
gone, or been stolen away to the lower
Terry. She had some people already whom
she must make shift to care Tor, oid
Welsh folk, who had been put into the only
re ON that could be used. She was giving
up her lease to leave the place
I'VE only ask for supper and fire, tbs
but to rest our horses" said Weymouth
boldly making his way into the inner kitch-
en-, whe,e the freight looked cheerful.
Rogers followed ruefully, limping and hold
ing MS shoulder as IL ne were pduly uuIt.
When he sank into the corner of the settee
his head dropped back as ii he were ill. and
his eyes shut if their sight swan with
giddiness. Such distress of WEAKNESS and
Squalor of mud and wet could not but ap-
peal to. the beholder.
Weymouth stood before the fire steaming
ike the horse he had just left, and regarded
his companion with pity and surprise. Then
yawned comfortably. and. taking off his
short cloak, spread it carefully upon
bench. There was stout leather wallet at
his side which he unslung and put by the
cloak at the fireside, handling 1t as lightly
as he could, but not concealing the fact of
its weight or that such a broad-shoul-
dered man as himself was glad to get rid
OF it. AS he turned again he saw that the
landlady had stopped her work among the
pans and crooks at the table and was
watching him sharply. but Rogers groaned
if in his sleep, and Weymouth repented
his contempt and harsh words on the way
His fellow-messenger had been officious in
his pretense of knowing every turn OF road
that would bring them quick and safe to
Bristol but he had taken the worst of his
mistake with SO bad fall. II the color or
his face were any sign, and 1t grew plain
that Weymouth must somehow or other
find the rest of the way to Bristol alone.
In his heart he finched for a moment,
knowing what he carried and that he was
stranger; yet for some reason he had all
that day distrusted the smiling clerk and
his bland and double manner, and wished
more than once that he were riding with
better man.
Get me some brandy" said Weymouth
to the landlady. "and glass for him when
he wakes. a good. stiff glass. When he
wakes. you knew, he'll need all that he can
drink: twas hard ride for SO poor
horseman. I'll leave him here tonight:
neither he nor his horse can go further. l
must be on my way by ten, or as soon as
my horse Is fit and has had his feed"
"Oh. no, poor lad!' exclaimed the wo-
man. but there was something disturbed
and dissatisfied in her tone. Hell get to