The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-12-14

me. Then all the curious, inhOspitable
folk OF the timber-land came out upon
their towers to denounce.
made my way over the rustlins.
brittle leaves, and soon found a trail
that led up over high land. | fol-
lowed it for a matter OF some minutes,
and came TO the road, taking my left
hand way. as they told me. There
was no traveller in sight walked as
fast as I could, passing a village at
sunrise, where | asked my way in
French at a smithy. Beyond there was
narrow clearing, stumpy and rank
with hriers. on the upside of the way.
Presently, looking over a level stretch.
l could see trees arching the road
again, from under which. as I was
looking, a squad of cavalry came out
in the open. Il startled me. began
TO think was trapped. thought of
lodging into the brush. But, no; they
had seen me, and would he a fool now
to turn fugitive. looked about me.
Cows were feeding near. l picked up
stick and went deliberately into the
bushes, driving one of them to the pike
went by at gallop, never pulling no
while in sight of me. Then l passed
the COW and went on, stopping an hour
later at a lonely log house, where
found French people, and a welcome
that included moose meat, a cup OF
coffee and fried potatoes. Leaving,
rode some miles with a travelling
tinker, a voluble. well-meaning youth
who took a liking for me. and went
far out of his way to help me on. He
blushed proudly when, stopping 70
mend a pot for the cook az a camp
of militia, they inquired If was his
wife.
mo; but she may be yet" said he;
who knows?"
knew it was no good place for me.
and felt some relief when the young
man did me this honor. From that
moment they set me down for a sweet
heart.
"She's too big for you. my boy"
said the general, laughing.
THE more the better" said he:
cant have too much of a good wife"
said little to him as We rode along.
He asked for my address. when l LETT
him, and gave me the comforting as
surance that he would see me again
| made no answer. leaving him at a
turn where. north of us, | could see
the white houses OF Wrentham. Kings
ton was hard by. its fort crowning a
hilltop by the river.
II was past three by a tower clock
at the gate of the Weirs when | got
there. A driveway through tall oaks
led to the mansion of dark stone.
Many acres Of park and field and gar
den we're shut in with high walls.
rang a bell at the small gate. and some
fellow in livery took my message
wait ere. my lass said he. with
an English accent. 4 II go at once
to the secretary"
sat in a rustic chair by the safe
side. waiting for that functionary..
"Ah, come in, come m" said he.
coolly. as he opened the gate a little.
He said nothing more, and followed
him--an oldish man with gray eyes
and hair and slde-whiskers. and neat
Iy dressed, his head covered to the ears
with a high hat. tilted backward We
took a stone path, and soon entered a
rear door.
"she may sit In the servants hail, {"
said he to one OF the maids.
They took my shawl, as he went
away, and showed ne to a room where,
evidently, the servants cid their eat
ing. They we're inquisitiye, those
kitchen maids. and now and then
was rather put to It for a wise reply.
I said as little as might be, using the
dialect, long familiar TO me. OF the
French Canadian. My bonnet amused
| them. II was none too new or fashion
able. and l did not remove IT,
Afraid we II steal IT," heard one
OF them whisper in the next room.
Then there was a loud laugh.
They gave me a French paper.
read every line of 1t. and sat looking
out of a window at the tall trees, at
servants who passed to and fro, at his
lordsh.p's horses. led up and down for
exercise in the stabie-yard. at the twi-
| HbnL biOOmauB the last plCtuieo " a
long day until they we're all smudged
with darkness. Then candle-light. a
trying supper hour with maids and
cooks and grooms and footmen at the
big table, English. every one Of them.
and set up with naughty curiosity. l
would not go to the table. and had a
cup Of tea and a biscuit there in my
corner. A big butler walked in bur
riedly awhile after seven. He looked
down at me as If l were the dirt of the
gutter.
They re waitin'." said he. CURLY.
AN Sir Chawles would like to know
II ye would care for a humberreller?'
"Ah, m'sieu'i he rains?" / inquired.
mo. num-"
"Ah! he is going to rain. maybe?"
He made NO answer. but turned
quickly and went to a near closet
from which he brought a faded UNI
brelia.
faThprp said no az he Tod me- IN