The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-07-31

the saddler n stepped outside to find
him. I closed the inn door behind me,
took a few steps, and stood to look
about upon my surroundings. The inn
was close and none too sweet smell
ing. and I drew several hearty breaths
to fill my lungs with the clean, fresh
air of the night. The place lay in pro-
found repose. Here and there a faint
candle-shtne betokened life in a dwell
Ing. but no sound was to be heard.
stars, thick-set and clear
shining. The only strong light in the
dusky picture was that Of the inn win
dow. a vivid patch of crimson in the
black wall at my elbow.
The CRATE Of an opening door came
to my ears, and I glanced across the
way. My eyes We're now accustomed
to the faint starlight, and I saw a fe-
male figur approaching me. At her
nrst word 1 knew her for the girl who
had spoken English SO purely.
Sir" said she, II should advise YOU
not to follow the route of which you
spoke to me-
II intend to take a guide" I return
ed; but she went Oh
1T is not the difficulties of the road
l have in mind. But since reaching
here. 1 have heard that there is danger
lurking among the hills. To those
familiar with every turn Of the coun-
Try, II may be avoided; a stranger
would have no such chance, if his guide
knew but the direct way"
You are kindness ITSELF" 1 said, but
IN these days such dangers are part
and parcel Of the journey. Witness our
little ARRAY this afternoon.
Ah,' she returned. But this is of
q darker cast. I assure you it would
be wise to turn back"
Why, there you name a thing J. can
not DO" I replied. Frankly, I should
return to the gallows. To be hung, or
at best, shot, is a certainty for me, I'M
less l hnd a sure hiding place. Can
yonder hills hold a worse fate?" .
She gave a little startled cry, and
now, for, the first time, 1 caught a
glimpse Of her. OF a sudden, the Grim
son curtain was twitched back, and the
SHINE OF the candles fell fair upon her
race: Trusting to the dark the mufiing
cloak was carelessly thrown about her,
n l saw for a second a m%atchless pro-
dle and caught her full liquid glance.
Then with a swift urn Of the home
spun, her lustrous Eyes We're yelled and
appeared to all seeming the sim
PIE country girl. At the window the
peered out into the night. The cur
tam was dropped and my mpanio
gnded away. The latch of the door
clicked. and in another the
serving maid thrust her head out She
must have caught our voices, low as
we spoke. I stood perfectly stiIl; the
door on the opposite side of the way
had been already softly closed. The
girl stared until she was satifed that
/! was quite alone, then went back into
the house.
FS-' myself I remained in q. pleasant
Kind Of waking dream An elation of
blood possessed me that I had seen
TINS beautiful vision; the night seemed
Hull or magic of romance and mystery:
ny heart drummed a merry marching
music IN my ear. That the gray home
spun was a disguise I now knew very
well-no milkmaid who ever lived had
such an air-and I judged the disguise
well chosen. For with our present
sWarms OF footpads and broker men
ehere are but two way Of marching
sa1ely; one with such a show Of force
as to oVerawe, the other with such
modesty as to draw no particular no
uce, n l reckon the second way the
safer.
After a while my errand came into
my mind, and I moved slowly I'D the
street. L saw a window with q bride
n In 1t, and entered the house.
The smell Of leather assured me of the
pace and next I came Upon the sad
aler himself seated behind a screen and
usy at his work In two words 1 told
him what I wanted; in one he re-
fused.
mo. no." said he, shaking his head:
Il VIII not go hat way
Come" I continued, IT will pay Won
wei. You shall nane your own price"
IT Is not the money" he said, but
they are there" He lowered his voice
TO an uneasy whisper, II heard it to-
Day he went on; they are about
there now"
"They?" said I; and who are they?"
" Gwylliaid Cochion.' he replied.
The name is familiar in my ears now,
put upon that first time Of hearing it,
eought nothing but a kissing click,
folloWed by a harsh cultural, sounds
which had no meaning for me.
What are they like?" said I.
wei said he. they are red. Oh.
yes, they will be red"
Are they men or what?"
Some say they are men" replied the
saddler. and some say they have been
men once, but now" He broke off
and drew a deep breath. II will not go
WIN you, he cried sharply. nor will
any other man."
That he was frightened at something
OF somebody among the hills I saw
clearly; and If his neighbors were in
fected with the same fear then good
py to hopes of a guide.
Look here" said I, IT have a gift
OF nnd1ng my way about places. Give
me a fun description of the road and
III try it alone"
Eyes, I will do that" he said. and he
spread out a piece of hin leather on
MS cutting GARD. Upon this he traced
q map with his awl, and very well he
did it. too, as I found out afterward.
and for a half an hour or more I stored
away landmark after landmark in nv
memory-a hill of peculiar shape. a
cairn, a great rock, a shepherds cot
G an inn. Twice or thrice we ran
over the route, and I felt confident I
could follow it. Then I rewarded him
tor his trouble, and returned to the
Inn.
CHAPTER III.
MEET EUAN GWYLLT.