Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-08-08
"Geoffrey Heathcote, ESQ.,
By JOHN FiNNlMORE. Copyright 1899, by 8. 8. Mcclure Coz

u iiSh ludk W uul Teu HdtE, WhiCH bCit
over his face. and from among II small
fierce eyes cleaned darkly. He smiled
upon my companion and stared hard
at me. ! heard a low. choking sound
at my elbow, and turned to see my
hostess, with a white ace and big
frightened eyes, looking from n to the
other of the last corners. Her bosom
rose and swelled as IL with dreadful
apprehension. when It happened that
the swordsman turned and observed
her.
He raised his hand and spoke to her
eagerly and rapidly In a low, caressing
tone. In another instant she regained
command of herself. and began once
more to be busy with the food, but
eagerly and fearfully, her easy. unhast-
Ing mood quite departed. The dwarf
seated himself unbidden. his harp rest
ing upon his knee.
People seem to walk In and out OF
this place rs freely as IL II were an
inn," said I.
"Oh. yes: why not?" said the tall
hills you can sit by the fire, and a
something when you pass a house. II
iss the custom with us. Now. In Eng
land they would put q dog to tear
your clothes and bite o II you walked
straight to the fire."
"oh. no" said L "The English are
not 80 DaQ as tnaG
TT has happened to me, indeed" he
replied, "and more than once. Here,
every one passing would come into this
house and take a rest, or something
like that"
AS II In proof of his words. the latch
clicked again and the door opened. This
time I knew the figure which stood on
the threshold, for all that she was
muffied high
'"ThaU ara Cnnlp1 INV road oraip -
thought My hostess slipped down the
room swiftly, pressed the gray figure
backward into the thick dusk that was
gathering, and swung the door to after
them At q sharp word the dwarf
flung his harp to the poet and went up
the wall like q cat. and vanished
through the hole which served as win
dow.
What's the reason Of all this?"
said I.
Indeed, I do not know" said the tall
man, gently running his fingers over
the harp and drawing out soft, sweet
notes. Then he struck into a bold, live
ly air. playing loudly, and singing as
he played.
"You have two ideas In this, my
friend" thought I: First, to persuade
people that you and the harper are
both here, the n singing and the 9TH
er playing; second, to avoid CONVERSE
ton with me-"
/ felt full Of an uneasiness for which
I could not account. I had nothing to
go on but h fright of the woman Of
the cottage at the sight Of the dwarf
harper and the fact Of the queer little
creature flying out through the win
dow. Local matters which could not
concern me in the least might account
for these things quite readily, and yet
I felt myself impressed with o sense
Of things Of a deeper mystery and Of
a darker complexion.
A slight scraping on the wall drew
my eyes to the window, and in came
the red head Of the dwarf. His eyes
flashed with malicious glee full on my
companion, and he sprang down into
the Dom and leaped for his stool. He
seated himself, seized the harp, and
continued the air without the slightest
pause, Under cover Of the stunning
and singing he said a few words to my
companion. but ] could not catch them,
nor could I have been any the wiser
II ! had
The tall mans eyes lighted UP with
equal fire. and he continued 10 chant
his song IN a still louder and gayer
tone. The door opened, and my hostess
returned alone. She gave q sigh Of
relief on seeing the harper and his
friend busy with their chorus, and
WIN NA1 " Z
She returned to her pot and began
to stir milk into the slab mass, when,
with d few rousing twangs and a clear
high note from the singer, an end was
made of their ditty.
Without further the tall
a fetched a bowl from a shelf on
the further side Of the cottage, took
the wooden ladle from the woman's
hand. and began TO help himself from
the pot She seemed to e~xpostulate,
as II begging him to wait a little, but
he laughed and began to eat rapidly.
His companion at One provided for
himself In a similar manner, and the
scalding porridge disappeared down
their throats at q wonderful rate. In
less than ten minutes they had de-
voured a huge bowlful each. and then
they prepared for departure. ! rose
also, and the bard looked at me with
surprise.
Il thought you We're stopping hero
for the night" he said.
Not at all" said l. u intend to put
up at IN inn which understand lies
eight miles ahead. straight along this
road"
But you had better stop here. being
SO wet"
Il am dry enough now" returned
And further, / have a dry cloak which
threw off before entering the water.
Which way are you going7"
"Oh, I am going that way he said.
Then we will travel together"
Yes, yes" he said, but with no great
heartiness. Upon signs OF my starting
with her visitors, the woman had run
for Whitesock, and now led her To the
door.