Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-01-09
PART II.

As Miss Desborough entered the iron
gates at the lower end Of the park and
glanced ut the interviewer cipher and
crest Of the Amelyns still above she
was conscious that the wind was blow
ing more chill and that few clouds
had gathered. As she walked on down
the long, winding avenue the sky be-
came overcast, and in one Of thoss
strange contrasts of the English climate
the glory Of the whole day went out
with the sunshine. The woods suddenly
became wrinkled and gray, the distant
hills somber, the very English turf be-
meath her feet grew brown. A mile and
half away. through the opening OF
the trees, the west part OF the Priory
looked crumbliuy, ivy eaten ruin. A
few drops Of rain fell She hurried on.
Suddenly she remembered that the av-
enue made long circuit before ap-
preaching the house. and that its lower
end. where she was walking. was but
fringe of the park. Consequently
there must be short cut across some
fields and farm buildings 10 the back OF
the park and the, Priory. She at once
diverged to the right, presently found
low fence. which she clambered over.
and again found footpath which led
to stile. Crossing that, she could see
the footpath now led directly to the
Priory. now grim and austere looking
pile in the suddenly detected landscape.
and that II was probably used only by
the servants and farmers
A gust Of wind brought some swift
needles Of rain TO her cheek. She could
see the sad hills beyond the Priory al
ready yelling their faces. She gathered
her skirts and ran. The next field was
long one, but beside the farther stile
was small clump Of trees, the only
ones between her and the park. Hurry
ing on to that shelter, she saw that the
stiie was already occupied by tall hut
bent figure. holding a long stick in his
hand, which gave him the appearance
against the horizon Of the figure OF
Time leaning on his scythe. As she
came nearer she saw IL was. indeed, an
old man. half resting on his rake. He
was very rugged and weather beaten.
and, although near the shelter OF the
trees. apparently unmindful Of the rain
that was falling on his bald head and
the limp cap he was holding useless in
one hand He was staring at her. yet
apparently unconscious Of her presence.
A sudden instinct came upon her-it
was "Dehs"
She went directly up 10 him and with
that frank common sense which, ordi-
narily distinguished her took his cap
from his hand and put il on his head.
grasped his arm firmly and led him to
the shelter of the trees. Then she wiped
the raindrops from his face with her
handkerchief. shook out her own dress
and wet parasol and. propping her com
panion against tree. said:
There. Mr.. Debs. I've heard Of peo-
pie who didn't know enough to come In
when it rained. but I never met one be-
fore.
The old man started. lifted his hairy.
sinewy arm, barred 10 the elbow, and
wiped his bare throat with the dry side
Of it. Then look of intelligence. albeit
half aggressive, came to his face.
"Wheer beest tha goinf" he said.
Something in his voice struck Sadie
like a vague echo. Perhaps 1t was only
the queer dialect or some resemblance
to his granddaughter voice. She look
ed at him a little more closely as she
said:
''To the Priory."
"Whaat!"
She pointed with her parasol to the
gray pile in the distance. II was posi-
bic that this demented peasant didn't
even understand English.
THE hall, Oh. ayel" Suddenly his
brows knit ominously as he faced her.
"An wassist tha doin dresst oop in
this foineryf Wheer gettest thee that
goawnl Thissen. or thy maester
Nowt. even a n'apron. fit for thy wark
as maid at serviss. an parson a-gettin
tha place at hail. So thou'lt be high
an moity will that Thou'lt not walk
wi maids, but trapse by this sen like q
slut in the toon-dang thai
Although it was plain to Sadie that
the old man in his wandering percep-
tion had mistaken her for his grand
daughter in service at the Priory, there
was still enough rudeness in his speech
for her to have resented it. But, strange
to say, there was a kind Of authority
in il that touched her with an uneasi-
ness and repulsion that were stronger
than any other feeling. II think you
have mistaken me for some one else. "
she said hurriedly, yet wondering why
she had admitted Il, and even irritated
at the admission. ~ am q stranger
here, a visitor at the Priory. ] called
with Miss Amelyn at your cottage and
saw your other granddaughter. That's
how knew your name.
The old mars facs changed. A sad.
senile smile Of hopeless bewilderment
crept into his hard mouth. He plucked
his limp cap from his head and let 1t
hang submissively in his fingers as II 1t
were his sole apology. Then he tried to
straighten himself and said: Nav
offins, miss, nav offins. II tha knaws
mea, tha'll knaw I'm grandfeyther to
two gals as moight be tina owern age.
Tha'll tell ee that old Debs at haaty
years as warked an nivver lost day
as man or boy has nivver coome oopen
'em for ha 'porth. An Ell keap out O.
warkus till e doy. An 'e's put bye now
to 10y wi his own feythers in Lank-
sheer, an not hggen aloane In parson's q
choorchyard.
1t was part of her uneasiness that.
scarcely understanding nor, indeed.
feeling any interest in these rhaunder-
ing details, she still seemed to have an
odd comprehension Of his character and
some reminiscent knowledge Of him, ae
il she were going through the .repeti-
tion of some unpleasant dream. Even
his wrinkled face was becoming famil-
lar to her. Some weird attraction was
holding her. She wanted to get away
from it as much az she wanted to an
alyze it. She glanced ostentatiously at
the sky. prepared 10 open her parasol.
and began to edge cautiously away.
"Then tina beant from thsse peArtsr'
he said suddenly.
No. no." she said quickly and en-
phatically-''n no; I'm an American.
The old man started and moved To-
ward her eagerly. his keen eyes break