The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-27

kin. And now. right at the beginning.
they don't even know his name"
Where's your husband?" inquired
Hildreth of Hail. IF he don't know
me he will before the days over
He may know you better'n I do"
he does. bekaze I'd mos likely "a
hyearn on it,"
Where is he?" insisted the young
man.
who? my or man? oh. him an q
whole passel of the boys took their
guns an went off to'ards Hillman's spur
bright an early this mornin'. They
said signs of bar had been seed thar.
but ] allowed to myself that they was
thess a-gwine On frolic.'
Mrs. Pruett took off her spectacles.
wiped them on her apron and readjust-
ed them to her head, smiling serenely
all the while
I'VE may as well go to the Millirons',"
remarked Hildreth of Hall.
Il don't care where you go. SO YOU
don't lead us into a trap" remarked
one of the men.
They turned away from Mrs. Pruett's
and rode farther into the settlement.
But they soon discovered that Tray
mountain had practically closed its
gates against them. The women they
saw We're as grim and as silent as the
mountain. Hildreth of Hall had been
telling his companions what a lively
place. considering all the circum-
stances) Hatch's Clearing was. and this
added to his embarrassment and in
creased his irritation. So that you may
well believe he was neither gay nor
good humored when. after passing sew
eral houses. he came to MillironS' +,
where he had been in the habit of max
ing himself free and familiar
Everything was as grim and silent as
the grave, and John Wesley sat on the
fence as grim and as silent as any of
the surroundings.
There's one man, anyway" re-
marked one of Hildreth's companions.
BE blanked If don't feel like going up
and shaking hands with him-that Is.
If he's alive" For John Wesley neither
turned his head nor stirred.
How are you. Millirons?" said Hill
dreth of Hall, curtly.
Purity. WELL" replied John Wesley,
| without moving.
I'VE are going to put our horses un-
der the shed yonder and give them a
handful of fodder" Hildreth of Hall de-
clared. John Wesley made no reply to
this. did you hear what I said?'
asked the young man. somewhat petu-
| lantly.
Il hyearn you," answered John Wes-
ley.
Whereupon Hildreth Of Hall spurred
his horse through the open lot gate
| followed by his companions They TOOK
off saddles and brides, made some halt.
ers out of plow lines. and gave theil
| horses a heavy feed of fodder. Then
they returned to the house, and found
John Wesley sitting where they had
left him, and in precisely the samt
position.
Can we get dinner?' asked Hildretf
of Hail.
II reckon not" replied John Wesley
"Why?"
Nobody at home but me an the ton
cat. an we're locked out. Maybe yor
can git dinner at Parmalees when the
time comes. They're all at home. Bu
1t hain't nigh dinner time yit." Johr
Wesley slowly Strengthened himself ou
and came off the fence with an apollo
getic smile on his face. "Ef these gen
termen here don't mind. I'd like to have
a word wi you. sorter private like" HI
looked at Hildreth of Hall, still smiling
For answer. Hildreth of Hall walked
to a mountain oak hundred feet away
followed by John Wesley. What de
you want?"
Il s'pose you've come up to marry
the gal?" suggested John Wesley.
II have not" replied Hildreth Of
Hall.
II mean Loorany Parmalee," sale
John Wesley, pulling a small piece Of
bark from the tree.
1T matters not to me who you mean,
remarked Hildreth.
II just wanted to find out" Johr
Wesley went on, fitting the piece o