Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-08-06

gnu III ~ NOll-
dition of mind to welcome tho rough
est fare.
AS no stood under the trees Rogers
noticed that the rain slaCkened, and
finally it ceased. The moon now
peered out fitfully from among the
clouds, and, yoarning for the COM
forts of homo, the young man push
cd on with a determination to make
II final effort to reach civilization of
some sort.
Shortly after leaving the grove no
came to a gateway that evidently
led to house. AS thoro was no
porter's lodge beside tho gateway
he came to the conclusion that tho
house could not be very important
one, and that perhaps the inmates
would not resent being aroused at
that untimoly hour to give shelter
to a weary follow creature. Push.
ing open the gate, he wheeled his
machine into the avenue, and after
ten minutes tramp along the
winding road saw before him the
bulk of large country house with
numerous outbuildings, and, what
was moro to the purpose, light
still burning in the windows of what
was apparently kitchen. He was
choorcd by tho thought that perhaps
somo of the servants woro sitting
up late.
Coming to gate that led to the
kitchen door, he entered it. Passing
shed, he saw, partly by the watory
moonlight and partly by thoir own
lights, which were still burning,
two bicycles in n corner of tho shed.
He placed his own beside them, and,
tired as he was, he looked with an
experts eye at the two other ma
chimes. They wero of an old pattern
and did not have pneumatic tires.
he was astonishcd that such ma
chimes should belong to house so
! prCtentiouS as the one he was about
| to cnter, but gave no particular
| thought to the matter at the time.
A moment later he knocked at the
kitchen door. He thought he heard
voices within just before no knock
ed, but now there was intense ST.
lence, and no response was made to
his demand for admittance. After
waiting reasonable time he raised
his hand to knock once again, when
tho door was cautiously opened
few inches and a man peered out at
him.
What do you want?" said the
man in hoarse whisper, and seeing
Rogers hand still on the knocker
added: Don't wake up every body.
It's late, you know"
Rogers apologized and said that
all he wanted was shelter and some
thing to eat.
wait minute" said the man,
and he partially closed tho door.
Rogers heard whispered consulta-
ton inside. Then the door opened,
and the man said quietly, Come
in"
Rogers entered and saw there
were two occupants of the kitchen
One man sat by the table on which
was huge joint of cold moat, bread
and butter and foaming fiagons of
beer. This evidence of good cheer
was most grateful to the feelings of
the oyclist
Come in, " whispered the man,
but don't make noise. We don't
want master wakened at this hour
| of the night. He'd make trouble if
he was.
"I'll be very quiet" whispered
Rogers, but want cut of that
beef, and if You can give me a place
to sleep III make it all right with
you in the morning and get away
unseen by anybody"
The man at the table had not
spoken, but he now made a motion
toward the cold meat as if he invited
the cyclist to help himself.
While Rogers ate and drank with
the energy of a healthy, hungry
man, nothing was said. The two
others sat looking at each other
seemingly in some dismay. At last
the younger of the two men rose,
opened door cautiously, went up q
stone paved passage and opened an
other door. He returned with a
lighted candle in his hand and nod
ded to the elder man.
Now" he said to Rogers, IF
you have finished your meal, come
this way and I'll find you bed"
He led the tired oyolist up the
stone passage and to a small OPEN
ing off, in which was small cot
bed.
That's the best we can do for
you tonight, said the man, setting
down the candle. IF you had come
earlier, we could have found you a
better place"
"Oh, that 8 all right, said Rogers.
Il couldn't ask anything better,
and hope l sha'n't get you into
trouble by coming so late" Saying
which he slipped some money into
the hand of the servant, who took
it without comment, babe him good
night and retired
Rogers took off his wet CLOTHES.
spread them out so that they might
be reasonably dry by tho time he
needed them in the morning, and
fell asleep rs soon as he had thrown
himself down on the cot bed.
His awakening in the morning
was somewhat of n surprise to him.
He found himself rudoly shaken by
the shoulder, and on opening his
eyes boheld an elderly man of gen-