Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-02-26
Copyright, 1899, by Florence Warden.
BY FLORENCE WARDEl

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
made up MS minu TO turn pack again
and to approach her with more reso
lutte front and with more impassioneG
PRAYER that she would become his wife
The only consideration which formed
a check upon this inclination was the
vague belief he had that her own
brother and grandmother had been In
some way connected with his brothers
death. But then again appearances
seemed to be so much stronger against
| Coch Tai, the guide, than against the
old woman and her grandson that this
suspicion could scarcely be considered
strong enough to influence his action
And this was especially the case In
| view Of the fact that Gwyn herself
had made no suggestion. either by
word or manner. Of there being such
an obstacle as this between them.
So when he reached the bottom OF
the hill Mason turned to retrace his
footsteps, after having glanced down
the valley and up again and seen no
sign of another human being. The
way to Trecoed did indeed seem to be
open to him, for he could see the path
, on the opposite hill, which the sliding
masses of snow had left free. Even
with this prospect Of escape In sight
the thought Of Gwyn made him turn
back.
And as he did so hts heart gave an
odd leap within him, for, standing a
few feet from him and evidently on
his track, was David Tregaron, the
farmer.
The men looked at each other for a
moment In silence. Tregaron had been
taken by surprise, for there was on his
face a scowl which ii had not worn
on their last meeting and which he in
stantly tried to exchange for a smile.
Mason, on his side, was considerably
disturbed to find that he had been fol-
lowed. The farmer spoke first.
81 thought" he began, that you
mightn't be able to find your way up
again so easy as you had thought to,
sir. It's still slippery up here and not
altogether safe"
Mason heard or fancied he heard
in these words something more than a
warning-a kind Of threat
Thank you," said he coldly. Il can
find my way about better than you
think"
Even If he had wished to go forward
on his way to Trecoed he saw that to
carry out such plan in the face Of
what would be determined opposition
was impossible. Tregaron was armed
with a huge ax for one thing, and in
his position above the other to aim
fatal blow at the doctor below would
have been easy enough, and In the Sec
Ond place If Mason had attempted to
escape and to trust to his heels he
would have had no chance against the
man who knew every chink and cram
ny Of the hills and Of the valley be-
tween.
He at once. therefore, began to reas-
cend the hill, while the farmer waited
for him. and then dropped few steps
behind.
1--WE are getting on nicely, SIR" went
on Tregaron in as buoyant a tone as
usual. with the snow clearing. II
you'll come up with me l can show
you just what we've got to do. The
last Of the sheep will be reached by to-
morrow, II things go on as we'll as
this"
He took Mason across the little Ia
bleland in a different direction from
that by which he had come. Instead
of going near the farmhouse, they
went round by the south side of the
old church walls and up the smooth
slope where Mason had already been
with Coch Tai.
Mason, who for the first time had
begun to feel some mistrust Of the
farmers motives toward him, took
care to keep by his side and not to al
low Tregaron to drop behind him. He
remembered the cleft IN the hillside
toward which they were bending their
steps. and he resolved to be on his
guard against accidents at that peril
Gus point. AS. by good fortune, he
knew exactly when to look out for 1t,
he managed to drop behind In his turn
as the farmer and he reached the open
Ing and Just as he took the backward
step he was shocked to see on Tregar-
on's face look which betrayed q hos
tile feeling in every line Of the eagle
face.
At that moment Mason felt a sick
horror at hH position. How was he,
unused to the mountain life, to the
steep paths and unexpected precipices
and chasms. to hope to escape from the
hardy hill born farmer, whom he now
knew to be his enemy?
"A nasty place, this" said Mason at
last, with a glance down toward the
chasm they had reached.
The farmer, who was step IN ad-
vance, laughed shortly.
you've been here before, then?
EYES,"
Tregaron wheeled around briskly.
"And have you been up the rock to
Pen Uchaf," asked he abruptly, THAT
looks straight down into Llyn FoelT
"No. This Is as far as I've BEEN"
"Come along, then. I'll show you a
sight you won't forget"
If Mason could have declined the
invitation, he would have done so, but
the tone in which it was given made II
rather a command than request. Sc
he went on. keeping to the farmers
side or step or two behind and evad'
ing all attempts. real or fancied. on the
farmers part to make him go first.
They branched off sharply to the
right, walking alongside the chasm un
til they reached point where 1t could
be crossed without difficulty in the
stride. After this the ascent became
much sleeper, although, owing to the
nature Of the ground and its compare
lively sheltered position, they found II
less incumbered by snow than the 9th
er parts Of the mountain.
AS they got higher the way became
more difficult. Here the patches Of
bare rocks were frequent, and these
dark gray slabs were slippery ant
steep, so that the short winter after
noon had begun to darken toward
evening by the time they reached th'
top.