The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1896-09-12

road WI the BARNS, a-goin' to church,
mebbe, or mebbe not, the misses she
says to me, Jim, it's pictur, says
she; and says to 'er, 1T u.s. says /.
Apply! and the workman smiled.
But the man at the stile was silent.
From the heavens there shot a Jagged
streak of light. For moment it lit
up the faces Of the two men; then the
darkness had fallen like a pail. And
the workman laid his hand on the
shoulder OF the traveller.
"Look 'ere, stranger" he said, 81
don't know 90 you be or where you
come from or what you're dom 'ere,
but you seem a civil sort, and I'll tell
you this-we're goin' to have such a
night as not many j. these parts III
remember the likes on; ard if you've
got place to go, don't wait. no longer.
but make tracks,; and if you 'aven't,
why, come yer ways along o. me-
The stranger seemed moved, but he
replied, Il thank you. You are very
kind. I have shelter from the Storm
AS he spoke his eyes were strained
across the stile. So the laborer passed
on his way and the storm gathered.
Thunderous clouds doomed densely
overhead. The air was thick and
pressed upon the brow. A great bird
rose from the rushes at the ponds
verge and shrieked> and rushed to a
surer refuge. The wind dropped.
But the man fingered. And over in
the meadow, on the pathway, there ap
peared light. 1t drew nearer and
swung gently to and fro. The traveller
saw it was carried in the hand of a
man walking. He was clad in a coat
that was lined with fur, and his face
was soft and white. At the stile he
saw the man. He frowned and would
have passed, but the stranger stopped
him.
''Mr. Dalrymple," he said.
The other raised the lantern until it
shone in the face of the man. He
shuddered slightly, and. again would
have passed on his way. But the tray
eler stood before him, so that the path
was closed.
"Mr. Dalrymple," he repeated.
by what right do you bar my
way? The tones were quiet but i'm
perative, as is Of man accustomed to
receive Difference. "And why do you
call me by name?"
II have news of your brother" said
the man.
HE is alive?" The words were said
gladly, but there was a gulp at his
throat when he spoke. The man saw
the gulp.
"He will never return" he replied.
by what MEANS" said the squire,
'can tell that you speak with author
ity?'
The man put his hand beneath his
rags and drew forth the faded photo
graph Of woman. On the back there
was a name written. He passed it to
the squire.
The squire looked at it. And he
turned it over and read what was
written on the back. Then he raised
his hand and uncovered his head. And
he said to the man: MAY I keep this
memento?" and the man nodded.
What you tell me-" he said, quietly,
lis only that which,, necessarily, I have
always understood. Nevertheless. this
confirmation grieves me deeply" There
was real sorrow in his voice. And
that, too, the man noticed. did my
brother leave no messenger"
HE spoke much of a woman said
the man.
"Can you tell me her name?" 1>t
ut is Marianne"
The squire was silent. Then, softly:
'Poor felloww to himself. ut is my
wife Of whom he spoke" he said to
the man.
7 trust she is well," said the man.
"She is very we'll. I left her but now
with the Children
AS he spoke the first heavy raindrops
fell from the clouds. They were ON
nous Of the storm to come. On the
water in the pool they battered softly.
II fear," said the squire, "you have
travelled far and are weary. 1t is pos
sible you are at distance from home,
and there is a terrible night before us.
The rain has already begun, You may
,, hear it on the pond. Will you 20 to
the hall for some rest and refresh
ments?'
II thank you," said the man, reply
ing in almost the words he had used
to the laborer. II have all I need"
And again his eyes seemed to gaze in
the darkness beyond the stile.
There was sound of a rumble Of
wheels on the road, and two lights
shone out through the dimness. The
lights frightened, the sound cleared; a
| UIOuSuduA duu plAl ulCW up dC IuC
turning.
'My carriage meets me here" said
the squire, land I am somewhat
pressed for time. But you have laid
me under deep obligation. Is there
is any way in which can serve you?''
'"There is one," said the man.. 81
should like to shake you by the hand
The squire hesitated. 1t was only
mo1nentary. But a flush rose to the
hollow cheek of the stranger. "1t is
my hands," he said. Il will wash
them in the pond"
But the squire had drawn off his
sealskin glove, and he held out his
soft, white palm. The other clutched
it in his bony palm, and for a moment
the eyes Of the two men met in the
light of the lamp. The squire started
and released his grasp. There was q
look in his face that held something OF
fear. When he entered the brougham
the look was still on his face.
And the man sat again on the stile
In the darkness the lights from the
hall shone brightly, and he gazed al
the lights. Then he turned his eyes tt
the trees that were dim around the
pond, and again from the pond to the