The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-12-13
MARoEnY WILLIAMS

~
1T SEEMED the last house on the road,
! which had stretched nat and feature
less for the i've miles since he left
Birchville, edged by barren pasture
land ovsrgrown with brambles, and
with here and there a stunted tree to
break the monotony. He slowed his BIZ
cycle down as he drew near, looking at
the small square dwelling, with its
whitewashed fence and green shutters
and tiny unpainted barn at the back, and
little patch Of cultivated ground In
which, between rows Of bean poles and
cabbages. he could see the moving nut
ter OF . woman's' skirt She had her
back towards him, STOPPING to gather
something. She turned as he stopped at
the gate, and he could see her hands full
Of green leaves and earthly roots.
Can you tell me-" he began, dis
mounting. and then he paused a. he
saw her coming towards him. When
she moved, something about her struck
him instantly as incongruous; he could
not have told what 1t was. She was
young. and might have been pretty, but
that her hair was strained back toe
tightly from her thin face. giving her q
look Of plainness. She wore q pink cot
ton blouse washed many times and fad
ed, and a short cloth skirt that sagged
ungracefully at the back.
I'm going to ask you," he said, a
she came near, ito let me have Q drink
at your pump and then put me on the
right road to Allentown"
When she spoke, the incongruity re-
solved itself instantly. She had the
voice Of his own native city, clear-cut
educated.
This Is the Allentown road. !" she said
"And won't you come in, pleasef The
pump Is Just round at the side"
She held open the gate. and he leaned
bis bicycle against the fence and fol.
lowed her in. There was a tin dipper or
the pump; he filled It and drank. Ths
water tasted good after seven miles o.
dusty riding. While he was drinking h
-observed her again. There was Q curl
Gus restlessness in her face, Q look a
once eager and disappointed. It was tn,
expression Of those who have watched
empty roads for long time. He glanced
at her hands. They were earthstained
and squared at the finger tips by out
door toll. and they too had the sam,
nervous lines, the same tired wistful
ness.
IT suppose II is very hot riding" sh,
said. as he set the dipper down.
"Scorching!" He looked about hin
at the tidy garden patch with its lines o
beans and tomatoes. q few summer an
nuals blooming unobtrusively amonl
the sober green and brown; q garden es
sentiaily utilitarian.
you have . nice place here" b
said.
Yea It's very quiet" She droppe'
the lettuce she was holding into Q half
filed bucket that stood near. Her eye
met his. and there was something child
ish In her look. almost an appeal. Sh
hesitated q moment. then said. ALLEN
town Is six miles from here. Won
you come into the house and have som
tea before you go on? was Just goin
| to make It."
He looked at his dusty boots.
Il am alone just now" she said. sh
said. ''and it's so quiet there-no on
/ ever comes. One Is glad to zee any
body"
He murmured some vague thanks q
she turned abruptly, averting her head
and followed her up the little troddel
path to the open door, It was q two
roomed cottage with tiny lean-to she
at the back, built for kitchen. Sh
slipped past to It. and he could hear he
dragging the kettle across the stove
clinking cups and saucers.
Left to himself q moment he locke
about him with swift. observant eyei
Everything In the room was very plair
very simple. spotlessly clean; white
washed walls and bare floor and tn
scantiest Of plain-made furniture
There were one or two good picture.
oil sketches; some marigolds In Q bow
on the mantel-shelf. near an old pew
| ter jug; q row Of books on . long shel
| against the wall. A mans straw hat Ia
on a chair, frayed and shabby and burn
| by the sun, and he seemed to see intui
lively the man who wore it. The roor
seemed to speak OF him. its ascetic bare
ness, its uncompromising utility.
He moved to the bookshelf, KNOWN
In advance what books he would I'M
there. The whole house laid bare II
story to him frankly on entry. and th
story of the wistful, restless-faced won
an with the city voice. His gaze ira,
eled along the titles. some familiar an
some unfamiliar, and as he turned ava
again he caught sight of small frame
portrait, an engraving, hung on th
wall. His mouth curved curiously as b
looked at it.
The girl came in from the kitchen
carrying teapot and some cups.
There isn't any cake" she said. "I'l
SO sorry, but we don't have compan
often. And you can eat bread and bu
ter, can't you? And there's fruit"
She was making little journeys to an
from the kitchen while she talked.
81 know it's queer, asking you In lii
this, but you don't mind, do you? Ar
we're quite strangers. SO 1t doesn't ma
ter. One so seldom sees guests here, OF
likes to make the most of them!" 81
laughed, but he could read the nervol
restlessness In her voice, the hung
born Of monotony. Wont you pull Il
chair up?-that's right. Do you tai
sugarf It's an age Since poured Of
tea for anyone!"
There was almost defiance In b.
friendliness. her frankness. Q reckle
eagerness to make the most OF thl
chance hours companionship. She q