The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-07-15

FI.--C05.l..UED.

lCoPy'ight r'2- BY y. Lr7'rc1t Col
YL--Cos.i..uED.
Col. Latimnr pul,ed the noses into
the road aga.n, ara ,.ay Grove on in
silence. gaa reference 10 the feud
brought I,iararana ba,'l to things
present. and Tie thcu~&t t.'at Il" should
not see L.asr, cain lad ..;i .rg sting
as the tine of his dopartu.c 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 ofrenunciation was going
to be his not hers. The glance ba"n-
ward at the pleasant hours spentat tho
home OF the LatineTa reminded him
that it would be ungracious to go away
without making some acknowledge
mant of the colonel's kindness, and he
wondered how he could manage it
without betraying his plans for inl-
mediate retreat. Fortunately, the
colonel himself opened the way by ask
.inG him to become Il guest at "IAo
Laurels." 81 told Tom Ludlow, day
befo' yesterday, that he was actin
mighty mean about it, and he said he
rcckoned thoy-all could send you to Us
for spell"
TN sure that's very good of you,
colonel, and I thank you both for the
invitation and for your many kind
nesses to INC since [ came to Tregar-
then; you certainly haven't let me feel
that l was stranger amCng you. /
assure you, l would gladly accept the
hospitality of The Laurels' if-if my
time were wholly my own; as it is not,
/ shall have to ask you TO excuse me. 1
really ought to be in New York now"
"Well, I'm right sorry for that-'deed
I am" replied the colonel; 81 sort @
got the idea from Tom you'd stay
down here and make us a right good
visit"
II have stayed now longer than I
should" rejoincd Ringbrand, making
q mental reservation as to the reasons.
"As you probably know, depend upon
my work for 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-al've got mighty quiet
place up on the mountain, and I'm right
sure Hester could set you cut with pen,
ink and paper
"Therss no end to your hospitality,
colonel" replied Ringbrund, smiling at
the thought OF literary worllin the house
with Hester. "Isuppose you'd be quite
willing to have me turn THE Laurels'
into workshop; and | almost wish /
could take you at your word, selfish as
it would be. 1t would scarcely he uos-
sible, though; l shouldn't know how to
work il ! were out If reach of the print
er's boy"
They had left the main road in the
valley, and were descending steep hill
to ford in the river. The Gsivjng was
difficult, and the colonel gave his entire
attention to the horses as they slid
down the rocky decliyity, talking TO
them as if they understood his explicit
directions. 500, now, there, Tolliyer
there's a right smart chunk o rock
Just ahead of you-step around it, my
hoy. You, Jane! never you mind about
Tolliver; just pick up your own feet a
little higher. Steady, now"
"You have pretty rough roads around
here" began Ringbrand, bracing him
self into his seat. 81 should think"
The interruption was an ominous
snap, and the horses stopped. THAT
sounded mighty like something broke, y
said the colonel, and they alighted and
looked the carriage over carefully. "Yes,
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.
II 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
iointed hopelessly. ITS no use, Mr.
Ringbrand," said the colonel; we're ir
for it; there's nothing like a black
smith shop this side O. Tregarthen."
Ringbrand looked at his watch ant
saw that it was half-past ten. "Hov
far are we from the village, colonelP
ne asked.
"About eight miles, reckon
That settled the question of depart
ure for that day, and Ringbrand was
annoyed to find himself feeling rather
~ iubiant than disappointed over the un
ayoidable delay. He helped the colone
unhitch, and after an hours hard worl
they got the buggy tothe top of the hin