The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1896-10-22
N'l.

seeker failed to be satisfied with the
retreat selected is n question over which
i have since wasted much time. On the
whole. it is probable that should have
seen little more of him. the chances be-
ing that in day or two he would have
disappeared. leaving, perhaps, a sum of
money sufficient in his eyes to compen-
safe me for services rendered to that
date. 1t is good evidence of the reck-
lessness which then possessed me that.
though contingency of this sort had
been in my mind from the first, the
thought of it had no deterring influence.
As it was, however. he seemed to be
content with the choice made for him
and ready TO carry out our contract.
The task of settling him in his new
abode proved TO be unexpectedly easy
The owner of the old house was glad to
dispose of it for "a song. throwing in |;
patch of marshland along with the lit
tie hill on which the building stood.
Though IL was in need Of repairs. and
though wind and weather had left
many mark upon it. it was still Il
stout structure. with stanch beams and
firm foundation. capable. apparently,
OF withstanding the gales of score of
winters. 1t was built on the summit of
the hummock, which rose about 40 feet
above the sea-lcvel, Il rocky spur
pushed up into the light and air from
some stratum buried under the low
lands of the coast. Upon the rocks was
"a scanty covering of soil. barely sufIi-
cient TO give support to the fringe OF
dwarfed evergreens which surrounded
the dwelling. halfway down the slope
on the west or landward side was n
spring about which was patch of turf,
the only bit of green on the premises,
for the soil under the trees was dull
brown in hue. and the seaward ter
races were too steep and stony TO give
root to even the hardest of grasses. To
the east, directly between the knoll and
the beach. was n marsh. which also
curved about the rocks to border their
southern side. On the north a tidal
stream flowed so close to the base of the
slope that one could step from "a boat to
the lowest of the rocky led,.es. To the
west the land was level. but not marshy.
and the line of Il long. abandoned wagon
track could be traced straight across To
the hill from which Lamar had gained
his first view of his refuge. Rodney
town was considerably more than n
mile distant. but about halfway be- |
tween the village and the knoll were
three or four farmhouses. Their occ,I- |
pants woud be l.amar's nearest neigh !
bors, at least on the land side. TO the |
south, perched on another rocky point |
about quarter.of a mile away. was the |
hut of family of fishermen. who were
not likely 10 be intrusive.
AS has been said. the business of taxi
ing possession was simple matter, and
he night after our arrival we passed
in the house by the bay. Lamar showed
energy in making the place
habitable, and within week wonders
were accomplished. \ wagon-load of
and fitting was secured from
the village; turned glazier To replace
The broken wiDdow-pa whose alb
ence had served at least TO save the
place from the reproach of musti-
less: and my employer developed
10 mean ability as carpenter. To
De sure. il was a mere box of
house, making our labor so
much the lighter. but felt a
rood deal of pride in the results. On
he ground-hoor was a living-room
With "A kitchen behind il, and a small
Dom opening from the kitchen. Above
we're two rooms of fair size, both of
which. Lamar told me. he should re-
uire for his own use. IL had been
greed. soon OTTER our arrival, that
hould find quarters in one of the farm
onses between the refuge and the viii
age-an, arrangement entirely to my
king, for the prospect of dwelling under
he same roof with Lamar was not al
airing. lie was as unsympathetic as .
n iceberg. hardly more loquacious, ,
nd the mystery he maintained was
OF of the fascinating sort. In the
eek we passed together came to dis
Ike him exceedingly. Sometimes. when (
days labors were ended he would sit /
Or hours putting away at his cigar, 3
atching the wreaths of smoke, but I
peaking not word, and hardly honor I
lg me with a glance. What his re- /
ections might be was beyond my u
over of conjecture; yet i managed. v
it'll considerable satisfaction. TO con- h
nee myself that he had committed S
'me crime OF particular atrocity. and /