Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-01-07
CHAPTER IlI (Continued.)


 less upon this road when we came up on the first signs of life. The country was but sparsely peoplcd, but here, at any rate, was some remote and faith full settler. The inn-for such it was bore the name of the Woodman and was, aS I conceived, of the sixteenth century at least. It was small, but the 0utbuildings attaching 10 it rambled away into the forest behind The sign grass before the door. As we drew near, a man lounging in front of the inn suddenly drew his pipe from his mouth and touched his hat
 Good morning, Hood," said my con- panion quietly. pausing and leaning on his stick. "These are very pleasant days for us all"
 "They are, sir" responded the man. He was of middle height, with a great appearance of activity in his sinewy body, and his thin dark face bore ha bitual expression of polite deference. 1t was as if his air apologzed for not already Interpreting your unuttered wishes. 1 understood the reason the next moment.
 MT. kesteven, turning to me, nodded in a friendly way toward the man.
 You have heard me speak of uood,' said he, with d faint smile. ''iIe was the valet 1 mentioned, whom 1 lost q month back. 4 month, isn't it, Hood?'
 Yes, sir; just q month four weeks and three days, that iS,' replied the man respectfully.
 ''Ah, indeed; it's wonderful how long time tarries,'' said my host cheerfully. Business good, Hood? 1 hope you are not losing by the experiment. 1 sup pose" he said, turning to me again, "that it is d trying position to be in q subordinate state. Every one likes his independence"
 l assented conventionally, and Hood waited very cautiously until 1 had made my answer before he took up his to reply to his former masters ques- ton.
 "I can't complain, sir" he said. There's not much traffic in the Gwent, sir, but I do d certain business.''
 'Ah, I should have thought it wiser policy to have gone nearer civilization, Hood. Why not have taken a place at Llanellan?'
 A faint but respectful smile lowered on the mans nervous face Il don't hold so much with Llanellun, sir This is tidy house, and business will i'm prove, I hope
 'Well, well. let us hope so," was Mr. Kesteven's answer as his eyes wander ed toward the inn. "A pretty place. is it not, Mir. GreatoreX:" And then with Il glance of scrutiny at the land lord, You have had an accident. Hood?''
 "Ycs. sir" was the answer; "a slight accident. sir-=nothn% of consequence. I fell against the bar yesterday" and he put a finger apologetically to his clean shaved lip, which I now per eeived to be somewhat swollen.
 "A nasty fall, a nasty fall,' said Mir. Kcsteven, shaking his head. Ut is lucky it was no worse" He moved away with courteous nod of his head, to which the innkeeper responded with a salute. As he did so he turned and, taking my arm, smiled back at Hood. You see the GWent has it's visitors sometimes. Hood. Mir. GreatoreX is staying with me. So perhaps we may turn the Woodman ill time into q fash 5Onable resort of society,""
 He laughed as if at his own small jest, in which the innkeeper joined, and, pressing my arm, walked on. He seemed a very kindly master, 1 thought, and l had no doubt but that Hood had been an excellent servant. I remarked as much, to which he as sented cordially.
 "I have never come upon man who fell into my ways better and knew his work more efficiently" he said. An admirable servant-altogethcr admira blc"
 Our walk had eNh!lratel me and, what is more, had given me Il huge appetite. The result wos that l ate heartily of iincn, which was delicately served by tae ;l@.eeaA.e old housekeep- CT Mir. kestevcn also seemed t. rally his ar3ets.. 4 fat' be had eaten bat little the previous evening. and drank q good ,le:;i of brown sherry. in which he jest in@.y invited nc to join him. Hut l was for the sour or perfumcl tiarct, which found much to EN palate Whether t V':.s; tho sherry or nat. ElN hosts tonstle piled very coN;ieuausly (u::.ng the meal, but always iii the most possessed and civil manner. Ee spoke Of his house, of his ancient de scent (which was as ancient ;ls the castle) and finally of himself. The Kes. tevens had been people of note ill oth- er centuries, had hoarded gains and fulfilled the pomp even of courts, had tluttered briefly and very brightly and in various characters across the stage of history But now they were dwin dled to this one old feeble man. Ile race had lost its physical vigor. From contesting tournaments. fighting bat ties and intriguing against coaFts il had come to phiIosop opnlZing over I4e between four walks. And then failing