Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-01-01
THE WEIR INN.

The twilight OF November evening
was darkenIng rapidly into night. A
thin cold mist was falling, condensing
into iarg drops on the naked trees and
hedges and dripping thence upon the
muddy road. The mare was tired with
a hard days hunting and plodded along
with springless gait that showed she
was almost "beat" And her rider, as
tired as she, looked anxiously about him
for place of shelter ere darkness set
tied completely. The country was new
to him, the run had been long one,
and he was completely lost. At the
crossroads he drew rein and looked for
finger post, but found none, so there
was nothing for It but to ride straight
on. His steed thought otherwise. She
snorted and reared when he endeavored
10 push her forward Her rider was not
one to be mastered by an animal, and
he gave her the spur, wherein she res
bonded by a buck jump that nearly un-
seated him.
"She's more sense than you haveW
said voice from the hedge
The rider strained his eyes and could
lust make out the form of a rugged man
sitting on the bank by the road side SO
dark were HIS clothes that they scare
showed at all against the black back
ground, and had he not spoken he would
certainly have escaped notice.
$50 tits you that the mare is fright
ened st9" said the rider impatiently.
eCome out of that and tell me the way
TO the nearest inn Here's shilling for
you
ashes not frightened at me-" said the
man, without stirring. SIN no beggar,
and | want none of your shillings. {
Take the road to the left, and you'll
come to house before you have gone
half a mile. the Weir inn, they call it.
II YOU don't like the entertainment there, |
YOU will have to ride another eight '
miles. think you had better, 1t you I
AXE my advice" And he gave a sort of /
hollow chuckle. g
"why do you think I had betterl"
,skea the horseman. "And what is the Il
mare afraid off never saw her like {
his before"
"She's afraid of that" said the man In s
he hedge, pointing toward spot In the {
enter of the crossroads where the 4
.arth had been newly dug. y
He rose slowly and came forward
title. disclosing himself huhchback. S
4 was too dark to see his face plainly. n
"The road to the left" he said again, v
with the same hollow ehuckle, and then II
,egan to walk briskly In the opposite a
direction. c
"Herei Hir called the rider after him. p
What Is there there to brighten h
,orsea" Il
"Blood," said voice already distant, II
md cackling peal of laughter came C
through the darkness.
"a queer country this" said the rider, 81
nd he turned into the road to the left {,
The mare went like a lamb, once her
,ead was averted from the ominous n
,atch of fresh earth. Soon light glim al
ner in the distfnSe, anu "S'SN " 49,
ne water could be heard.
"There Is the Weir inn after all" said V
he horseman to himself as he rode I'M st
er the swinging signhoard. THAT lu- Il
attic told me right so far" I
II was a long time before his vigorous Fl
nocking brought iany one to the closed II
cor. When at last Il opened, letting a CO
God of light into the wet darkness the h'
ortal framed as In picture the form of
beautiful woman. She was clad In al
lack from head to foot and shawl OF nj
nanish lace covered her head and Wig CT
cited her pale face In its dark folds. In