Omaha daily bee., 1900-11-25

or Kentucky roadSters that were the boast
of the blue grass country. Norman, with
silent boy" his body servant, on the
front seat, Mr.. Lane warmly bundled up
on the rear. The night was dark and
moonless, but crisp and frosty. The stars
twinkled in the almost cleudless sky. The
doctor had come forth with his guests,
whispered q few words in his ear as Lane
bent to shake his hand at parting then
nodded to his son and away went the bays.
The inn was still brightly lighted and a
number of curious villagers hung about.
Mr.. Malloy came forth with valse and bag
and with hardly spoken word took his
seat beside Mr., Lane and In three minutes
Asholt was left behind In low tone and
at intervals Mr., Malloy sought to engage
Lane in conversation, but the replies of
that gentleman were brief and uninviting.
Evidently the lawyer preferred his own
thoughts, especially as Malloy developed q
desire to speak of the stricken judge and
the possible causes of the sudden seizure.
Then Malloy essayed some CHEEKY remarks
about the finely matched team, speeding
like clockwork along the hard beaten pike,
and their driver bowed his acquiescence to
his tentatives, but he. too seemed to pre-
fer silence. Finally, as they began the
ascent Of the Hardin hills and were wind
man rendered cigars to his companions,
which were civilly declined, and lighting a
match on the broad back OF the negro in
front OF him. MIR. Malioy subsided into ST.
lence. The road became steep In places and
rough and rocky. Evidently they had quit
the pike and were on some cross country
track. Thick darkness surrounded them
on every side, but Norman drove steadily,
confidently on. For ten minutes or so
the pace was slow, the road tortuous.
Short cut Norman" asked Lane in a
low tone.
Yes" was the answer; "Shelby gap"
Saves six miles at least. The pike goes
clear round the east end OF the range"
Dimly, under the starlight as they
looked about thom and pulled the blankets
closer as the air grew keener, they could
discern the ghostly shapes OF little frs
and cedars, Sometimes a scrub oak scraped
a branch or swished its leaves along the
wheels, showing now narrow was the path
a mere cart track through the gap.
which they followed at walk Thrice on
the northward, downward slope they
splashed through some swift-running brook
and at last, turning into a broader lane
among black shapes of barns and corn
cribs, Norman touched up his team and
again they bowled swiftly on.
shelby gap, you call that Norman ?"
questioned Lane. That's trick worth
knowing when n mans in hurry and
needs the shortest road. What | marvel
at is how you can follow 1t In such pitchy
darkness"
"Well, most OF my life has been spent,
so far, riding through these hills and
dales," was the quiet answer. ~ think
know every path that leads to Asholt or
home and | love every rod Of them. It's
all plain sailing now from here to Bards.
town, but ] believe there are very few
men this side of the hills who could guide
you through thcm to our side night as
dark as this, You see, they have little
occasion to come our way. They have
their own railway into the junction and
good broad pike east to Harrodsburg and
Lexington. We are round on the other
spur of the road with the hills between
US, There's as little going to and fro
across that range behind us as there is
over the Cumberlands"
"You know your state better than most
men know their home city" said Lane.
MAY the Lord keep Kentucky from the
blunders they're making farther south."
Amen" said Norman gravely. with
all his wrath over the result OF the cleo
tion father says Ken,ucsy will never Sc
cede."
There was q moments silence. Malloy,