The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1904-03-18

the triumphant discovery he had mad
in spite of himself.
1t was then about 6 o'clock in TIN
morning. Thorpe passed the board
ing house, the store and the office, Il
take himself as far as the little opeI
shed that served as a railway station
There he set the semaphore to flag thu
east bound train from Duluth. At 6:36
the train happening on time, he climb
ed aboard. He dropped heavily into {
seat and stared straight in front Of
him until the conductor had spoken tt
him twice.
Where to, Mr.. ThorpeT he asked.
''Oh! Mackinaw City"
Thorpe descended at MacdnaW City
to find that the noon train had gone
He ate lunch at the hotel. borrowed
500 from the agent of Louis Sands, a
lnmberman of his acquaintance, and
seated himself rigidly In the little wait
ing room, there to remain until the 9:2O
that night. When the cars were backed
sleeper, In the doorway stood disap-
proving colored porter.
'Yo'll fin the smokin' cab up f0'wu'd,
Sah," said the latter, firmly barring the
way.
"Its generally forward" answered
Thorpe.
This yeah's the sleepah," protested
the functiOnary. "Yo' pays extry."
81 am aware of it." replied Thorpe
curtly. "Gve me lower"
"Yes, sah," acquiesced the darby,
giving way, but still in doubt He fol
lowed Thorpe cautiously, peering into
the smoking room on him from time to
time A little after IL his patience
gave out The stolid, gloomy man Of
lower seemed to intend sitting up all
night.
"Yo' berth is ready sah," he delicate
ly suggested.
Thorpe arose obediently, walked to
lower and without undressing threw
himself on the bed. Afterward the
porter in conscientious discharge of his
duty looked diligently beneath the seat
for boots to polish. Happening to glance
up after fruitless search he discovered
the boots still adjoining the feet of their
owner.
well. for the lands sakeg' ejaculat
ed the scandalized negro, beating
hasty retreat.
Thorpe descended at Twelfth street
in Chicago without any clear notion of
where he was going. For a moment he
faced the long, parklike expanse of the
Lake front, then turned sharp to his left
and picked his way south up the inter
minable reaches of Michigan avenue.
Block after block he clicked along. the
ealks of his boots striking fire from the
pavement.
After an interval he seemed to have
left the smoke and dirt behind. The
street became quieter; boarding houses
and tailors' shops ceased; here and
there appeared a bit of lawn, shrub
berry and flowers. By and by he came
to himself to find that he was staring
at the deep carved lettering in a stone
horse block before a large dwelling.
His mind took the letters in one after
the other, perceiving them plainly be-
tore 1t accorded them recognition. FL
hally he had completed the word Ear
rand" He whirled sharp on his heel,
mounted the broad white stone steps
and rang the bell.
1t was answered almost Immediately
by clean shaved, portly and dignified
man with the most impassive counte-
nance in the world. This man looked
upon Thorpe with lofty disapproval.
els Miss Hilda Farrand at homer" he
asked.
Il cannot say" replied the man. "If
you will step to the back door will
ascertain"
1.-The flowers will do Now see that
the south room is ready. Annie" float |
ed a voice from within.
Without word, bat with a deadly |
earnestness. Thorpe reached forward |
seized the astonished servant by the
collar, yanked him bodily outside the
door. stepped inside and strobe across
the hall toward closed pOrtiere whence
had come the voice. The river mans
long spikes cut little triangular pieces
from the hardwood floor. Thorpe did
not notice that. He thrust aside the
portiere.
Before him he saw young and beau
tiful girl. She was seated, and her lap
was filled with flowers. At his sudden
appaFitiOn her hands flew to her heart,
and her lips slightly parted For
second the two stood looking at each
other, just as nearly year before their
eyes had crossed over the old pole trail
To Thorpe the girl seemed more beau
tful than ever The red of this vio-
lent unexpected encounter rushed to
her face, her bosom rose and fell in a
huttering catch for breath, but her
eyes were steady and inquiring.
Then the butler pOunced on Thorpe
from behind with the intent to do great
bodily harm.
Morris" commanded Hilda sharply,
what are you doingT'
The man cut short his heroism in
confusion.
you may GO" concluded Hilda.
Thorpe stood straight and unwinking
she portiere. After a moment he
SPOKE.
Il have come to tell you that you
we're right and was wrong" said he
steadily. you told me there could be
better than love. In the pride
Il my strength | told You this was not
%. | was wrong"
He stood for another instant looking
lirectly at her. then turned sharply ,
nd, head erect, walked from the room.
Before be bad reached the outer door