Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-08-21
CHAPTER |.

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 a stiffness
which was vault-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 81
lence, which was not broken until
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.
Eth, 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-f1ve 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
this rood
can understand how a gentleman
like yourself, from Lon'on mebbe,
should find it bit solitarylike"
Solitary! Well, yes, it is solitary,
there's no denying that" answered his
companion in a deep, mellow voice
that conveyed a volume of information
true or false, concerning the own
er's pedigree, disposition, and educa-
ton, and all in his favor But |
mustn't let London suffer for nv
nervousness. I'm as nervous as a cat
tonight, | confess, and for my life |
counldn,t tell why I'm a Yorkshire
man"
Eth. not from London?" exclaimed
the old villager, glancing back in
voluntarily towards the place where
the strangers Gladstone bag lay in the
bottom of the cart.
The young Yorkshireman smiled.
Il come from London just now,
certainly, as my luggage-labels 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. I've no greet
love for Scotchmen myself, though
we've got one of them for landlord
now, and he's not a bad sort isn't
Lord Kildonan. But surely, sir, if
you're journeying to Scotland, it's
good bit outofyour way to go to Drank
some, It's getting southwards again
like"
The gentleman did not answer and
the villager, after short pause, went
on in reluctant apology.
"Of course it's no business of mine
sir, and | ask your pardon if I've been
too free like, but-''
The stranger cut him short, speak
ing slowly and with a sort of drowsi-
ness in his manner.
1t is an accident altogether, this
going to Branksome. | made a stupid
mistake at Haverholme Junction,
where | got out of the train, taking
my bag with me by an unaccountable
bit of luck. | walked up and down
the platform a few times to warm my
feet, and by feat of stupidity which
| cannot in the least explain, got into
the wrong train, and found myself
presently at Conismere, where, as you
know, the branch line ends; so. as
there was no train back to Haver-
holme before tomorrow morning. I
made up my mind to inflict myself for
the night upon an old acquaintance of
mine, DR.. Peele, of Branksome"
DR.. Peele! Oh, ay, l know 'un."
And you were kind enough to offer
me lift as far as Mereside Drank
some is about four miles further on,
they say
"Ay, matter of four mile or so,
and a straight road eno-t' coach
road. But if you don't know these
parts | should advise you to bide at
Mereside till morning, for f lake
There is a hotel and two good inns
at Mereside where t. coach starts
from, and t. OVID doctors i'll. so there
won't be much of a welcome for We
at Branksome Lodge"
''The doctors i'll, is hep"
"Ay, and t missis won't be in +,
best o tempers. She's not one o. +,
meek 'uns, isn't Mrs. Peele. Though
she's a good lady, and it's my belief
she's saved many a one of her bus
bands patients by chuckin' his mills
and his draughts into t. fire and send
ing t boy off wi pie and a bottle OF
port wine in place of EN-.
The Yorkshireman laughed. 90
don't say there may not be occasions
where little more food and LITTLE
less physic is not bad PRESCRIPTION
but you mustn't disparage medica
science to me, for I'm doctor INV
self"
Lord, and are We now? Well
thowt | was travelin' in better com
pany. No offence, sir, but it's a sor,
point with US hereabouts just now. +
that OF doctors. There's been a hit n
bother about young partner DR.
Peele took, who got into little dill
ficulties with some O. t. DOCTORS ne
tents, and had to go away bit sue
den-like in consequence