Omaha daily bee., 1897-05-09
Copyright. 1897. by Hret Hartef
CHAPTER w.
BY BRET HARTE.

Copyright. 1897, by Hret Hartef
CHAPTER w.
When Philip DemoreSt left the stage coach
at the Cross Roads he turned into the only
wayside house, the backsmith's shop, and
declaring his intention OF walking over to
Hymettus, asked permission to leave his
handbag and wraps until they could be sent
after him The blacksmith was surprised
that this likely hammered" distinguished
looking "city man" should walk eight miles
when he could ride, and tried to dissuade
him, offering his own buggy. But he was
still more surprised when Demorest, laying
aside his duster, took off his coat and, sling
ing 1t on his arm prepared to set forth with
the good-humored assurance that he would
do the distance in couple of hours and get
in in time for supper. 81 wouldn't be too
sure of that" said the blacksmith grimly,
"or even of getting a room. They're stuck
up lot over there, and they amt going to
hump themselves over. chap who comes
trapesln' along the road like any tramp,
with nary baggage"
But Demorest laughingly accepted the risk
and, taking his stout stick in one hand,
pressed a gold coin into the blacksmith IS
palm, which was, however, declined with
such reddening prOmptness that Demorest
habits of European travel had been still
sroug on him and he felt slight patriotic
thrill as he said, with grave smile, Thank
you then; and thank you still more for re-
minding mo that | am among my own peo-
pie " ard stepped lightly out into the ROAD
The air was stll deliciously cool, but
warmer currents from the heated pines began
to alternate with the wind from the sum
nit. He found himself sometimes walking
through stratum of hot air, which seemed
to eXhale from the wood ITSELF while his
head ana breast We're swept by he mountain
breeze, He felt the old intoXication of tbs
balmy scented air again, and the five years
OF care and hoQelessness laid upnn his shOul.
dcrs since he had last hreathed its fragrance
slipped from them like burden.
There had been but little change here; per.
haps tho road was wider and the dust lay
thicker, but the great pines still mounted
in scrried ranks on the slopes as before, with
no gaps in their unending files. Here was
tho spot where the stage coach had passed
them that eyentful morning when they were
coming out OF their camp life into the world
OF civilization; a little further back the spot
where Jack Hamin had forced upon him
that grim memento of the attempted robbery
of their cabin which ne had kept ever
since. He half smiled again at The super
sttious interest that had made him keep it
with tho intention of some day returning to
bury it, with all recollections OF the deed
under tho site of the old cabin. As he went
on in the vivifyng influence of the air and
scene new life seemed to course through his
veins; his step seemed to grow as elastic as
In the old days of theii bitter but hopeful
struggle for fortune, when he had gayly re-
turned from his weekly tramp to Boomvile
laden with the scant provision procured by
their scant earnings and dying credit Those
were the days when her living image still
inspired his heart with faith and hone:
When everything was yet possible to youth
and love, and before the irony of fate had
given him fortune with one hand only to
withdraw her with the other. 1t was strange
and cruel that coming back from his quest
of rest and fOrgetfulness he should find onIv
these youthful and sanguine dreams revive
with his reviving vigor. He walked on
more hurricdy as if to escape them, and
was glad to be diverted by one or two pass
ing caTryall8 and char-a-bancs filled with
gayly-dressed pleasure parties-evidently
visitors to Hymettus-which passed him on
the read. Here were the first signs OF
change. He recalled the train OF pack mules
OF the old days the file of pole-und-basket
carrying Chinese the Squaw with the pap
pcoSe strapped to her shoulders or the wan
derag and footsore prospector, VINO were the
only wayfarers he used to meet He con-
trasted their halts and friendly greetings
with the insolent curiosity or undisguised
contempt of the carriage folk, aud smiled
as he thought of the warming or the black
smith. But this did not long divert him;
he found himself again returning to his
previous thought.
+, Indeed the face of the young girl in one
OF the carriages had quite startled him with
its resemblance to an old memory of his
lost love, as he saw her--hcr frail, pale ele-
gance encompassed in laCes as she leaned
back in her drive through Fifth avenue,
with eyes that lit up and became trans
figured only RS he passed. He tried to think
Of his useless quest in search Of her last
resting place abroad how he had been
baflcd by the opposition of her surviving
relations, already incensed by the thought
that her decline had been the effect of her
bopcless passion He tried to recall the few
frIgid lines that reConveyed to him the last
letter he had sent her, with the announce
Inent Of her death and the hope that "hs