Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-13
THE HOUSE OF THE
BLACK RING.
BY FRED LEWIS PATTEE.
Copyright. 1sos. BY Henry Holt & Coz


passed away for young Jim-at least, so 1t
seemed to bis brooding soul. What use to
tnink OF winning her from this contented.
prosperous money-bags. who basked in the
favor OF the old squire and who could offer
her all of comfort and luxury that her heart
might desire? As for him what had he
save neaitn' and youth, and pair of will
Ing hands? He had not the ghost of a
chance.
m on to the wars; to the wars must CO."
came the clear strains from the sled .'On
TO the wars "a wild impulse arose within
him to do something, to dare deed that
would thrill her and win her. But there
were no wars to go to. no field OF hazard
where q stout heart might all in a moment
snatch fame and fortuRe-more the pity.
The old days were best; there was a chance
then for all. But he must do something
to win her: something indeed he must do,
and at once. But what?
And thus he sat bumped up and dreamy,
and saw nothing of the moonlight and the
wild scenery of the gaps and the noun
tafns, ragged and picturesque, all about.
And he scarcely realized when at last they
arrived at the little mountain Inn and the
ride was over. AS he helped to unspan the
horses. he was still of to the wars" dar-
ing deeds that should make her turn in
disgust from the clod beside her and fly
to him-ah, to him
The inn had little stable room and they
were content to fasten the horses under
long shed protected on all sides save one.
The time would be short; 1t would scarcely
pay to go out among the farmers for better
accommodations.
Then they sought the house, great boys
that they We're. pushing and slapping one
another, joking and chatting, full to the
brim of animal spirits and laughter and
whole-soued enjoyment of the night. The
girls were already inside, taking of hood
and wrap. disclosing pink cheeks and spark
ling eyes, as full of life and spirits as the
boys themselves.
Then came the chicken and waffle supper,
with its wonderful accompaniment of
"spreads' and other good things - a re-
past to dream about. 1t was no colo,
correct dinner party with myriad courses
and noisefess walters and velvet voices;
where the diner in dress suit nibbles daint-
lily at this and that and exchanges epigrams
and soft nothings with the exquisite crea-
ture at his right Every one was com
pletely at home and wholly at his ease.
He had come to enjoy himself to the Ut
most, and that was the business Of the
hour. The stewed chicken. tender and
brown, swimming in gravy fit for gods.
came again and again Into the circle or
destruction, and still there was call for
more. Great brown piles of waffies, blis-
tering hot. were brought in steady stream
to the tables to disappear like water into
sink holes. They were pitched two at
time on empty plates, drenched with syrup
chicken gravy as from a hose cut deftiy
into quarters and eighths by swift shearing
OF knife and fork, and slowed away-one-
two-three. And all the time there was
laughter of boys and giggling Of girls. and
jokes and banter and clashing of knives
and forks and dishes. Cold Formally and
the Mr." and Miss of polite society
were miles away over the ridges. 1t was
"BilT and Dan and Hat and Liz.
VIII dared May to eat another waffle, and
she smeared one with apple butter on the
amid roars of laughter. Then 1t was her
turn to challenge him And thus the sup
per galloped to It's close
Up near the end of the table sat Karl
Keichlne and Rose. He was an imposing
looking man as Jim saw him from far
down the board-square and solid, with a
clean-shaven, eherub face. which had not
line shadow. "a man of pork" Jim
growled In his throat: yet he could not but
recognize the strength of his rival. A man
who through his own efforts has secured a
competency at forty. and who, moreover.
has gained ruling place in his native
county, Is not one to be ignored from any
standpoint. By every valley standard the
match was a perfect one, and Jim recog-
nized it, But, after all. what could girl
like Rose see in a mere tub of a man like
that?
How bewitching she was as she sat there
with the scarlet geranium in her hair! He
had never seen her eyes so deep and dark
before and he had never seen her in such
joyous mood. Her every movement, the
flash of her little hands the ripple of her
laugh, bewitched him more and more until
he was scarcely conscious that anything
existed in all the world save her-and him.
ah-h-h-hg! He ground his teeth. See she
was smiling up into his face actually BEAM
ing into that great full moon. He clenched
his fingers into his palms as IL he were
strangling something.
Then they cleared the room of its tables
and chairs, and danced with might and
main, even as they had eaten. The old
fiddler. scraDing away for dear life keep
ing time with head and foot and bow called
out the changes of the dance like he N
of a river crew loading a boat.
All salute your pardners! First couple
forward and back First couple balance
and swing. All-l-l-l-ll-shashay," and so
on and on, while the lusty dancers obeyed
orders with vfgor that threatened the
tavern floor.
Those elaborate mortals whose ideal of
the dance Is TO float languidly through
some dreamy waltz, scarce touching their
partners sleeve, would gain new concep-
lions of the terpsichorean art could they
but see whole souled, primitive dance like
this-the vigor and JUNCTION of those
bouncing girls. the pigeon-wings and
capers of those strappfng boys and the
muscular energy of the balance and swing.
In an hour the faces of the maidens were
glowing with the exercise
1t was midnight and time to start over
the mountains. The boys paid the bill and
hustled out for the horses leaving the
girls plenty of time to adjust their wraps
before the cracked mirror In the hall. Ten
minutes passed and no sign from without
Say. Relieve something has happened"
1t was Rose who spoke. I'm going out to
see."
"Oh, don't. They'll be right along" 1t
is womans place always to wait and won
der.
No, sir. I'm not going to stay cooped
up here another minute" She bounded
through the door and out into the dark
ness.
Say. what's the natter" she called
approaching the circle of lanterns
karfs lost his boss. Somebody's stole |
''Stole him?'
Yes; or else he's got away"
Was the halter broken?"
No"
Any sign of the halter draggingr'
Where's Karl?"