The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-06-26
VL-CeNr1NUED.'
Copyright. 1905. by j. B. Lippineott Gel

a the ROAD again, anu tney drove on IN
silence. The reference TO the feud
brought Ringbrand back to- things
present, and the thought that he should
snot see Hesteragain had a sharper sting
, as the time of his departure came
nearer. He recalled the little incidents
of their acquaintance, and tried to get
some comfort out of the belief that her
heart wasstill in her own keeping, and
thatthe pain of remuneration wasgoing
to be his not hers. The glance hack
ward at the pleasant hours spent at,the
D home of the Latimers reminded him
that it would be ungracious to go away
without making some acknowledge
fnent of the colonePs kindness, and he
wondered how he could manage it
without betraying his plans for I'M
/, mediate retreat. Fortunately, the
colonel himself opened the way by ask
ing him to become guest at 1.-The
Laurels." 81 told Tom Ludlow, day
befo' yesterday, that he was actin'
mighty mean about il, and he said he
reckoned they-al could send you to us
Q for a SPELL
''I'm, sure that's very good of you,
jcolonel, and 1 thank.you both for the
,iinvitation and for your many kind
Inesses to me since 1 came to Tregar-
then;s you certainly haven't let me feel
that 1 was stranger among you. I
assure you, 1 would gladly accept the
hospitality of The Laurels' if-if my
time were wholly my own; as it is not,
= shall have to ask you to excuse me. 1
really ought to be in New York now
"Well, I'm right sorry for that-'deed
I am replied the colonel; II sort O.
got the idea from Tom you'd stay
down here and make us right good
visit
o 81 have stayed now longer than I
}should,s rejoined Ringbrand, making
a mental reservation as to the reasons.
GAS you probably know, 1 depend upon
my work for living, and 1 can't afford
Ito neglect it for very long at time"
The colonel laughed. '"Pears to me
like youth work could be done most
anywhere; we-alPve got a mighty quiet
place up on the mountain, and Pm right
sure Hester could set you out with pen,
ink and paper"
"Thers's no end to your hospitality,
colonel" replied Ringbrand, smiling at
the thought of literary work in the house
with Hester. 81 suppose you'd be quite
willing to have me turn The Laurels'
into a workshops; and l almost wish
could take you at your word, selfish as
it. would be. 1t would scarcely be pos
sible, though; 1 shouldn't know how to
work if l were out Of reach of the print
er's boy
They had left the main road in the
valley, and were descending a steep hill
TO a ford in the river. The driving was
difficult, and the colonel gave his entire
attention to. the horses as they slid
down the rocky declivity, talking to
then as if they understood his explicit
directions. 500, now, there, Tolliver
there's a right smart chunk o rock
just ahead of you-step around it, my
hoy. You, Jane! never you mind about
Tolliver; just pick up your own feet
little higher. Steady, now"
You have pretty rough roads around
here" began Hngbrand, bracing him
self into his seat. 81 should think"
The interruption was an ominous
snap, and the horses stopped. THAT
sounded mighty like something broke"
said the colonel, and they alighted and
looked the carriage over carefully. YES,
here it is, for sure,'' he continued;
tongues broke off right here"
They examined the fracture, and
Ringbrand suggested wEappipgsit in
splints with one of the halter-straps.
II reckon it wouldn't hold" said the
colonel, but we can try it,
Phey spent some time trying to put
the suggestion into practice, succeed
ing finally in making a clumsy splice,
which the first pull of the horses dis
jointed hopelessly. Its no use. Mr..
Ringbrand," said the colonel; were in
for it; there's nothing like black
smith shop this side O Trcgarthen." 90
Ringbrand looked at his watch and
saw that it was half-past ten ''How
far are we from the village, colonel"
he asked. oe
@"About eight miles, reckon"
That settled the question of depart
ure for that day, and Ringbrand was
annoyed to find himself feeling rather
jubilant than disappointed oversthe I'M
avoidable delay. He helped the colonel
unhitch. and after an hours hard work
they got the buggy to the top of the hill.
where they left It at the side of the road
and walked back to the nearest farm
house, leading the horses.
Since the colonel knew nearly every
one in the valley, it followed that they
had only to mention their need to OBJ
tain the hospitality and assistance of
the farmer, who lent them an anti
Quated carriage and refused to let them
depart until after dinner. Adding the
delays to the time consumed in the care
full driving necessary to the preserva
tion of the farmers vehicle in state of
entirety. it was near the middle of the
afternoon when they got back to Ire
garthen, and then Col. Latimer insisted
upon taking his companion up to the
mountain for the remainder of the day.
Ringbrand offered every reasonable OBJ
lection he could think of, knowing that
another visit to Hester would immeas-
urably increase the pain of leaving her:
but in the end discretion was swept
away by an overwhelming desire to see
and talk with. her once more, and he
yielded. They drove past the Ludlows',
and he ran in to tell his hostess that he
would not be home for tea. She saw
the change in him, and detained HINT to
ask if his trouble had disappeared.
NO." he replied, and she saw the look
of dependency come into his eyes
ngain; land that isn't the worst of it;