People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1899-08-24

Deen IN any OF tAe old Virginia plantl'
ton homes, you'll know about what
sort O place it was"
Il have passed through Virginia"
replied Ringbrand, and 1 think know
the type. They certainly look comfort
able from the outside, and they give
one an idea of stability which is de-
cidealy refreshing in this age of archi
tectural shams."
yes, sch, they do that; strong and
solid, like a man was buildin' for his
childen and grandchildren. The old
Manor house was built hathaway;
beams and timbers of solid oak, dressed
down with the broadax. 1t was long
time Albumin"
Il don't wonder your father didn't
rebuild it." said Ringbrand, refectively,
THE associations would always have
been painful"
The colonel looked surprised: u
hope you don't allow that he went I'D
IN the mountain for that reason! No,
sch; he hada better one. 0ldDoc Rains
I'D talked right encouragin' about the
mountain air for my mother-she was
always mighty poly in the valley. I
reckon tie change did help her some,"
he added, thoughtfully, "but she never
did pick up aftor 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 RingbranG back to things
present, and the thought that he shoulc
not see Hester again had sharper sting
as the time of his departure came
nearer. He recalled the little incidents
Of their acquaintance, aud tried to gcL
some comfort OUT OF the belief that her
heart was still in her own keeping, anti
that the pain ofrenunciation was goiI.3
TO be his not hers. The glance back
ward at the pleasant hours spent at tie
home of the Latlners reminded him
that it would be uEgracious to 90 away
without making some acknowledge
:lent of the colonies kindness, and no
wondered how he could manage it
without betraying his plans for i'm.
mediate retreat. Fortunately, the
colonel himself opened the way by ask
ing him to become a guest at 1.-THE
Laurels." 81 TOLD Tom Ludlow, dav
hefo' yesterday, that he was actin
mighty mean about it, and he said he
reckoned they-all could send you to us
for spell"
I'm sure that's very good of you,
colonel, and thank you both for the
invitation and for your many kind
Eesses to me since came to Tregar-
tlen; you certainly haven't let me feel
tnat l was a stranger among you.
assure you, would gladly accept the
hospitality of The Laurels' Tiff nv
time were wholly my own; as it is not,
! shall have to ask you to excuse me. l
really ought to be T. New York now"
We'll, I'm right sorry for that-'deed
} am" replied the colonel 81 sort O.
got the idea from Tom you'd stay
down here and make us a right good
visit"
Il have stayed now longer than I
rhould," rejoined RiHgbrand, making
a mental reservation as to the reasons
As you probably know, | depend upon
my work for living, and | cant afford
% neglect it for very long at a time"
The colonel laughed. "Pears to me
ike youh work could be done most
anywhere; we-allye got a mighty quiet
lace mp 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 Ri1gbrand, smiling at
the thOughtofllterary work in the house
with Hester. Tsuppose you'd be quite
willing to have me turn The Laurels'
into workshop; and | almost wish I
could take you at your word, selfish as
it would be. 1t would scarcely be pos
sible, though; shouldn't know how to
work if | 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 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 it, my
boy. You, janet never you mind about
Tolliver; just pick up your own feet
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"
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.
Il 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