Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-03-13

drew's little gate. At the door they
were met by the farmers wife, her
sleeves rolled up to the elbows.
"Ah, John Martin and Dave! Back
from the fair? Come in"
"Yes, Mary, on the way home. Where
d Andrew? Dayid here had a turn on
the road coming along below, and we
want Andrew to mix him something.
The sun was too strong for him, 1
think"
"Yes, yes. Andrew! Andrew She
raised her voice and called into the
house over her shoulder. Come in,
both of you. He is somewhere about.
1t Is cool In the house at the shady
side, and Dave can lie down there"
David cast one brief glance back
ward as he followed the others into the
house. In the road just beyond the
gate and looking over it stood the one
that followed.
Old Andrew was held In high esteem
among the mountain people as half
doctor, half wizard, with his knowl-
edge of the use of roots and herbs. He
brewed n muddys pungent tea, which
David drank, and Mary, the wife,
placed extra plates at the table and in
sisted on the travellers taking supper.
Let David rest" she said, land IL
he Is better after supper you can go
home in the evening by the short cut.
There will be q moon, or he may stay
the night IL not strong enough t go
home"
So 1t was arranged. Old Andrew and
John talked together of the simple,
worn subjects OF their rude lives-the
poverty of the soil. the long season
without rain, the many hardships that
befall the farmer.
The wife piled David with questions
about the town. WAS there a big
crowd at the fair? And the weather.
was it fine every day? Did you see the
cows from the Duncan farm?" and so
on. David answered absently, think
ing Of the waiting stranger outside the
gate.
When the twilight fell, the young
man felt able TO go on and was anxious
to reach his family. so the two men
set out along the path through the
rocky fields. As they reached the base
Of The Rocks and began the steep
ascent the moon rose.
John led the way, stepping cautious
", calling back to the other to avoid
the uncertain footholds.
But David, climbing after, thought
OF nothing but the somber shape that
had waited outside and had followed
close across the fields after them and
which he felt climbed up and up be-
hind him, step for step.
There was no sound except when ut
intervals a loose stone rolled down, dis
lodged by their feet. The night was
beautiful. The broad face of the cliff
shone In the moonlight. Here and
there along the edge of the path, where
there was danger. rude ratings had
been placed to protect the traveller.
These were silvered by the moon. At
some places a rock jutting out cast be-
low 1t a dense shadow amid the sur
sounding Wilderness.
As they climbed David tried to force
himself TO turn and face the man In
the black cloak and question him. his
name. his mission. why he followed,
gaining steadily step by step. but he
lacked courage. Once he had met that
cold, steady gaze. He could not brave
1t again. He watched his comrade
climb above him slowly. Slowly he
clirabed after and, glancing down. saw
the edge OF the black cloak blown up
ward against his legs.
He stopped and put his hands over
his eyes. who are your" he said In q
low, broken voice. "Why do you fol-
low, pressing nearer and nearer?"
And a voice answered at his ear,
while the folds Of the cloak. blown up
ward, tapped about him. "You shall
know my name when you are at the
end Of your Journey"
"No, nowP' whispered David hoarse-
ly. Now, your namev'
Farther on" came the voice. "When
you reach the next railing"
And they climbed on again In the
moonlight. John had gone round q
turn of the path out of sight. David
advanced feebly, rising laboriously
N frnra 49, - -&n-# ~