The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-04-23
copyright. Isas. BY ]. 3. LippIne0tt Col

always mighty poly in the valley. l
reckon the change did help her some,"
he added, thoughtfully, but she never
did pick up after that mo'nin' when
they cyar'd father home.'
Col. Latimer pulled the horses into
the road again, and they drove on in
silence. The reference to the feud
brought Riugbrand back TO things
present, and the thought that he should
not see Hester again had 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 painof remuneration was going
10 be his not hers. The glance back
ward at the pleasant hours spent at the
home of the Latimers reminded him
that it would be ungracious to go away
without making some acknowledge
ment of the colonels kindness, and he
wondered how he could manage 1T
without betraying his plans for inn
mediate retreat Fortunately, the
colonel himself opened the way by ask
ing him to become guest at ''rhe
Laurels' 81 told Tom Ludlow, day
befo' yesterday, that he was actin
mighty mean about it, and he said he
reckoned they-all could send you to us
for SPELL" ag
- I'm sure that's very. good of you,
colonel, and ! thank you both for the
. invitation and for your many kind
.nesses to me since l came to Tregar-
then; you certainly haven't let me feel
that | was a stranger among you. |
assure you, l would gladly accept the
hospitality Of The Lahrels if-if my
time were wholly my own; as it is not,
shall have TO ask you to excuse me. l
really ought to be in New York now"
well, Pm right sorry for that-,'deed
/ am" replied the colonel; Il 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
a mental reservation as to the reasons.
"As you probably know, depend upon
my work for a living, and, I can't afford
10 neglect it for very long at time"
The colonel laughed. "Pears to me
like youh work could be done most
anywhere; we-all'ye got 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 workin the house
with Hester. suppose 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
sible, though; l shouldn't know how to
work if / were out Of 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 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
Just ahead of you-step around 1t, my
boy. 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. 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. Eyes,
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
jointed hopelessly. "It's 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. "iIow
far are we from the village, colonel?'
he asked. ',s
.'About eight miles, l reckon
That settled the question of depart
ure for that day, and Ringbrand was
annoyed to find himself feeling rather
jubilant than disappointed over the un
asoidable delay. He helped the colone
unhitch, and after an hours hard worl
they got the buggy to the top of the hill
: where they left it at the side of the roat
and walked back 20 the nearest farm
house, leading the horses. itN
Since the colonel knew nearly ever,
one in the valley, it followed that the.
had only to mention their need to OBJ
tain the hospitality and assistance o
the farmer, who lent them an anti
auated carriage and refused TO let then
depart until after dinner. Adding thu
delays to the time consumed in the care
full driving necessary to the preserva
lion of the farmers vehicle in. a state o
entirety, it was near the middle of tn
afternoon when they got back to Ire