Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-06-06

6OIIlt SOTt.
Shortly after leaving the grove he
came to gateway that evidently led
to II house. As there was no porters
lodge beside the gateway, he came to
the conclusion that the house could
not be very important one, and That
perhaps the inmates would not resent
being aroused Mt that untimeiy hour
to give shelter to n weary fellow crea-
ture Pushing 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 outbulldiugs, and what was
more to the purpose, light Still
burning in the windows OF what was
apparently the kitchen, He was
| chcered by the thought that perhaps
! some OF the servants were sitting up
late.
Coming 10 gate that led to the
kitchen door, he entered it. Passing
n shed he saw, partly by the watery
moonlight, and partly by their own
lights, which were still burning, two
BICYCLES in corner. OF the shed. He
placed his own beside them, and,
| tired rs he was, he looked with an eX-
pert's eye at tho two o:her machines
They were OF an old pattern and did
not have pneumatic tires. He was as
| tonished that such machines should
| belong to house 50 pretentlous as
| the one he was about to enter, but
gave no particular thought to the matter
Mt lifetime A moment later lie knocked
at the kitchen door. He thought he
heard voices within just before
he knocked, but now there was intense
| silence, and no response was made to
his demand for admittance. After
waiting reasonable time he raised his
hand to kno once again, when the
door was cautiously opened Il few
inches and n 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 everybody; it's late,
you know
Rogers apologized, and said that all
he wanted was shelter and something
to eat
"Wait a minute" said the man, and
lie partially closed the door. Rogers
heard whispered consultation inside,
| then the door opened and tho 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 IL
huge joint of cold meat, bread and
butter, and coffee. This evidence Of
good cheer was most grateful to the
feelings of the cyclist.
Come in," whispered the man,
"bnt don't make noise. We don't
want master wakened at this hour of
the night. He'd make trouble If he
WAS.
"Pll be very quiet" whisp cred
Rogers, "but want II cut of that beef,
and if you can give me place to sleep
I'll make it all right with you in the
morning, and get away unseen by any
body"
The man at the table had not spoken,
but he now made n motion towards
Uu6 COit IllcuU dS IL ut luflIel lllc
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 very
cautiously, went up stone paved
passage and opened another door. He
returned with lighted candle in his
hand and nodded to the elder man.
"Now," he said to Rogers, off you
have finished your meal, come this
way. and I'll find you bed"
lie led the tired cyclist up the stono
passage and to small room opening
off, in which was small cot bed.
"That's the best we can do for you
Tonight" said the man, setting down
the candle. eff you had come earlier
we could have found you better
place"
sob, that's all right" said Rogers
81 couldn't ask anything better, and
hope shan'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 com.
ment, babe him good night, and re-
tired.
Rogers took off his wet clothes,
spread them out SO that they might be
reasonably dry by the time he needed
them in the morning and fell asleep rs
soon rs he had thrown himself down
on the cot bed.
His awakening in the morning was
somewhat of II surprise to him. He
found himself rudely shaken by the
shoulder, and on opening his eyes be-
held ar elderly man of gentlemanly ap-
pearance standing over him with Il
pistol in his hand. Two countrymen,
one evidently q groom, stood near the
door regarding him with every appear
ance of fear and horror. They both
held cudgels, and were apparently
ready to attack him should he make n
dash for the door.
"Why, my man." said the elderly
gentleman, ~ hope your sleep has
been refreshing"
"It has, indeed, sir, thank you, an
swered Rogers. "But why these war.
like preparations? Am l a prisoner ~
"Well, something of that sort" re.
Piled the old gentleman, astonished
at the language and GOODNESS of his
guest.
"You are the master of the house, |
take il"
"You are quite correct. Is that
your bicycle out in the yard?"
EYES," answered Rogers. sat least
Iplaced it in the shed last night"
"Oh, did you? We found the
wretched machine there this morning.
and it led to our search for YOU"
"Wretched mnchine!" cried Rogers
sitting mp in bed. "Oh, come now,
I'll stand rudeness to myself, hut I'll
be hanged if I'll allow the bicycle to
l.. 4 \ l..