Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-08-21
CHAPTER I.

covered earth underneath, and film
of sleet falling made the hills and val
eyes of beautiful Westmoreland dreary
and desolate as the shadowy limboes
of the Inferno where Dante describes
unbaptiZed and heather souls as wan
dering for ever in still and joyless
gloom. Between two ridges OF bare
and rocky hill a market-cart was
jogging slowly along the whitening
road, and the thud of the old horses
hoofs and the rattle of the wheels were
the only sounds that broke stiffness
which was Yault-like in the narrow
valley.
From under the rough canvas hood
of the little cart peered out two mems
faces, not clearly visible even to each
other; as the cart entered the valley
its occupants had dropped into ST.
lence, which was not broken until a
light began to twinkle in the dimness
on the road ahead Of them. At sight
of the little thread of brightness
across the path one of the men
started, and the other laughed good
humouredly.
En- but there's no need to be
feared, sir; there's no moonlighters
hereabouts," said he cheerfully, as he
encouraged the old horse TO mend his
pace by a gentle shake of the reins.
i've lived at Mereside sixty-five year,
and I've been to Conismere and back
every Thursday nigh on fifty year,
barrin' when the snow had drifted too
deep; and I've never come to no harm
on this road, lonesome as it be. But
| can understand how a gentleman
like yourself, from Lon'on mebbe,
should find 1t bit solitarylike."
SOLITARY! Well, yes. 1t is solitary,
there's no denying that" answered his
companion in a deep, mellow voice
that conveyed volume of information
true or false, concerning the own
er's pedigree, disposition, and educa-
ton; and all in his favour. But |
mustn't let London suffer for my
nervousness. I'm as nervous as a cat
tonight, | confess and for my life |
couldn't tell why! I'm a Yorkshire
man"
Eth. not from Lon'on!" exclaimed
the old yillager glancing back in.
voluntarily towards the place where
the strangers Gladstone bag lay in the
bottom OF the cart.
The young Yorkshireman smiled
II come from London just now
certainly, as my luggagelabels at
test he said. But that doesn't make
me a Londoner any more than the
fact of my being on my way to Scot
land makes me a Scotchman."
"Scotchman! Eth, no, you don't
need to be that" struck in the old
man with decision. rive no greet
love for Scotchmen myself, though
we've got one of them for landlord
now, ard he's not bad sort isn't
Lord Kildonan, But surely. sir. II
you're journeying to Scotland, it's a
good bit outofyour way to go to Drank
some. It's getting southwards again
like.
The gentleman did not answer. ant
the yillager, after short pause. wen
on in reluctant apology.
or course it's no business of mine
sir, and | ask your pardon IL I've beer
too free like. but"
The stranger cut him short. sneak
ing slowly and with sort of drowsi
ness in his manner,
1T is an accident altogether. thi
going to Branksome | made a stupi
mistake at Haverholme Junction
where ! got out of the train, takin
my bag with me by an unaccountabl
bit of luck. walked up and dow
the platform a few times to warm m
feet. and by a feat of stupidity while
| cannot in the least explain. got int
the wrong train, and found myse
presently at Conismere. where, as yo
know, the branch line ends: so, a
there was no train back to Have
holme before tomorrow morning,
made up my mind TO infiict myself fc
the night upon an old acquaintance {
mine. DIR. Peele, of Branksome.
"Dr. Peele! Oh. ay, know 'un."
And you were kind enough to offt
me lift as far as Mereside. Branl
some is about four miles further OF
they say
cay, matter of four mile or s.
and straight road eno'-t coac
road, But II you don't know thes
parts, | should advise you to bide ,
Mereside till morning. for { LAX
There is hotel anE two good inr
at Mereside where & coach star
from. and T. ovid doctors iii, so thel
won't be much of welcome for y
at Branksome Lodge"
The doctors i'll. is he?"
"Ay. and Z missis won't be in
best o. tempers. She's not one o.
meek 'uns, isn't Mrs. Peele. thong
she's a good lady, and it's my belle
she's saved many a one OF her hui
bands patients by chuckiu' his pill
and his draughts into { fire, and sent
ing { boy on wi a pie and bottle c
port wine in place of EN-
The Yorkshireman laughed. q
don't say there may not be occasion
where little more food and a littl
less nhvSie &c moi a haH ,~o~or..<.s.~.