Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-18
THE FATE OF
EVERETTE AUSTIN.

"Whose place is this:" | inquired of
man who was digging ditch near
the water trough.
He stopped his work, and looked up
and pushed his sOmbrero on the back
of his head. giving Il sigh and passing
his hand across his brow 1T is the
CircieA ranch. Ii belongs to Everette
Austin. Can l be of service To yOu:'
'E-eh-weli. yes; at least the boss
can. I've famed my horse. and as I'm
a small matter of fifty miles from my
destination can't walk in this wealth
er."
1T IS rather warm he assented.
"SIiSh,iy l. Mr. Austin i'll, or any
where around"
Hes not in, but he's around. I'm
Mir. Austin
oh. indeed. Well. l am Mr.. Brant
William X. Brant-Mr. Austin. and
l must ask You If you can let me put
mp my horse until its foot is rested
or until I find some way of getting TO
Miles cay"
ar. Austin stepped forward. lifted
the ragged Somcbrero. and put out his
grmy hand. I'm happy to meet you.
Mr.. BranC am sorry can't call
man 10 take your mount. bur if you
will turn him over to me III stable
him ana attend to the foot. and you
can 90 uD 70 the house and ask Mrs
Austin 10 make you comfortable. The
men are al off on the range"
-~~s &c with you" | answered and
we slt of 70 the barns.
= They were beautifully kept. as few
but Englishmen keep their stables. and
l was glad that ny weary steed should
DE so well Installed. I saw in mo-
Tnent that my host was accustomed
10 being his own veterinary surgeon.
IT puzzled NE to reconcile the fact
OF his manual labor and ragged work
ing clothes with his large possessions,
his perfectly appointed stable. and his
YET more perfect language. so unmis-
takably British. for | was new 10
Montana and its people; though not
tenderfoot. by many years of Arizona
experience.
= The d9ctoring Of ny horse finished,
Austin led the way to his house Il
long. low. implanted structure. set UP
q foot or 80 from the ground on posts.
There wds 4 wretched attempt ut Il
bed OF flowers near the door, but the
sun and wind gave it small chance
of success. A few stinted petunias
Struggling line of mignonctte. and
several bushes Of sapless red and pink
geranium> were all that rewarded evil
IDENTITY patient care. My host was not
communicative. nor did he expect me
60 be SO. ! started to give him a ref
ercnce hut he cut me off by changing
had gone UP the steps and stood on
the porch. which boosted of neither
roof nor railing. Austin handed me 4
feather buster, and we brushed the
white dust from our boots. Then we
went in.
S.Sit down and l will announce you
TO Mrs. Austin" he said with no ap-
parent perception of the incongruity
of the language and his attire. 1t was
a tidy little drawing rOOm-aS did my
host the honor of calling it all through
my visit-with some well-chosen col
ored prints from English papers on
the rough board wall. clean white
curtains. n few cane chairs, and n
box covered with cretonne, which
served Is Il divan. There We're no
new books or papers, but the old and
much used ones were of the best.
There was pot of wandering Jew
I'm the huge fireplace, which made a
very pretty effect.
was just looking at my travel
stained countenance in small mirror
when a door opened, and Austin,
holding it back, stood aside to admit
his wife.
I'VE are very glad to see you, Mr.
Brant," she said. with the most delight
full of well-bred English accents. Mr.
Austin told me of your accident. an
sorry for the horse, of course, and
for you If you had need TO make
haste. but for ourselves it cannot he
looked upon as misfortune"
'Your husband has treated the poor
animal so skillfully that | fancy
may promise not to encroach upon
your hospitality very long"
''Please put aside the idea that yOr
arc not, or may not be, welcome. W,
are most happy to have you
Now, Brant," said my entertainer
"Mrs. Austin will give you your room
We cannot DO much for you. but there
Is plenty of water. both hot and cold
and that Will not be amisS. as I know
by experience. after a midsumme
eide in this country. l will see yo'
at tea"
He went back to his digging 49,