Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-07-02

they cyar'd father home"
Col. Lntimer pulled the horses into
the road again, and they drove on in
silence. The reference to the fcud
brought Ripgbrand back to things
present, and the thought that he should
not see Hester again 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 was still in her own keeping, and
that the pain of remuneration was going
to be his not hers The glance back
ward ut the pleasant hours spcntnt the
home of the I4atimcrs reminded him
that it would be ungracious to go away
without making some acknowledge
ment of the colonel's 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 n guest at 'The
Laurels." II told Tom Ludlow, day
befo' yeste'day, that he was actin
mighty mean about it, and he said he
rcckoned they-all could send you to us
for spell"
I'm sure that's very good of you,
colonel, and 1 thank you both for the
invitation and for your many kind
nesses to me since came to Tregar-
then; you certainly haven't let Inc feel
that was stranger among you. I
assure you, I would gladly accept the
hospitality of The Lnurels' Tiff my
time were wholly my own; as it is not,
] shall have to ask you to excuse me.
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"
II have stayed now longer than I
should" rejoined Ringbrand, making
mental reservation as to the reasons.
"As you probably know, depend upon
my work for n living, and can't afford
to neglect it for very long at a time"
The colonel laughed. "Pears to me
like youh work could be done most
anywhere; we-nll've got a mighty quiet
place up on the mountain, and I'm 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. Isuppose you'd be quite
willing to have me turn The Laurels'
into workshops; and l almost wish
could take you at your word, selfish as
it would be. 1t would scarcely be pos
siblc, though; I shouldn't know how to
work if were out of reach of the print
cr'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
them as if they understood his explicit
directions. 500, now, there, Tolliver
there's right smart chunk o rock
lust 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 Ringbrand, bracing HIM
self into his seat. II 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. "Ycs,
here it is. for sure" he continued;
tongues broke off right here"
They examined the fracture, and
Ringbrand suggested wrapping it in
splints with one of the halter-straps.
81 reckon it wouldn't hold" said the
colonel, but we can try it,
They 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; we're in
for it: there's nothing like black
smith shop this side o Tregarthen.'
Ringbrand looked at his watch and
saw that it was half-past ten. "lIow
far arc we from the village, coloncl?"
he asked.
About eight miles, reckon
That settled the question of depart
ure for that day, and Rngbrand was
annoyed to find himself feeling rather
jubilant than disappointed over the UNI
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, 1t 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-
ton of the farmers vehicle in state of
entirety, it was near the middle of the
afternoon when they got back to Ire
garthcn, and then Col. Latimcr 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 him to
ask if his trouble had disappeared.
MNn ~ he renlied and she saW the look