The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-09

I l5 n4 the passengers who same by rail. But Mr.. Ransom
t to p eocj PLANNED d& to &c e. BY coach That would be to risk a Prema-
ieTTed to hire a team, and be driven there by some Indifferent livery
all night and babe fair to rain all Jay. The river river %a IS" r Lahn9
witt mist; the hills. which are the glory of the place YER obFf.
road, all little pools and mud. ~
.m HoWegeT, there was no help for it. The journey must be made
securing the CONVEYANCE he h. n nsn dG''SS me road, lost no time in
The rain drove So Eercer So ~, ~ u mG o CLOCK ne started out
ton IN winch they were traveHng,-that enjoyment OF the scenery
ton with the man who drove him. Rain, rain. ffs V was . an Co a%f tb-
cpmfn - T Hnd over W the wheels which turned all too slowly for his
turned to his thoughts and they were all Of her "9 nc
WHY. had he not known her better before linkino his fato
herself and her early Ifes Had he but "d 5on no al %N b5.9 hmm MIN more about
some clew to the mystery devourinr him, He miob X" Emon now nave
inh and independent a woman had chosen this remote town on \ n
a mysteTy. Why could not the will have been signed in New YORK
What She seemed" "{p5 nntrsm IN ehoSe days. lie had taken her for
au D ms happy wife and lifelong companion; and he had been
probing. And now,-this brother whom all had thought dead conc
but this sister ' he J6rdn NJ ms bs acts and G2nveTsationl Also a sister,
imgy out Of nature Tor him to accept a brother and a sister too. A
brother or a sister; but not both. Not even Mr. Harper's assur-
&c Isl should ht mtuSnee his credqlty to this extent Money money!
- " Thna mr VIII a a possible protection. But why come here?"
veIoped the whole mstter She had onS ~n%n a hHnert9 n
early life. She had mentioned a place where She used to nlay a "s
mo mac mentioned 1t lovingly, longngly. There were hills, she
had said; hills all around. And woods full Of chestnut trees. safe
woods where she could wander at will And the roads-how she
Owe 10 walk the roads; No automobiles then, not even bicycles.
heavhyladen cart would go by drawn by a long string Of oxen; but
tWy we're picturesque and added to the charm. Oxen were Gees
sry where there was no railroad.
AS he repeated these words to himself, he looked up. Through
the downpour his eyes could catch a glimpse of the road before him.
winding up a long hillside. Down this road was approaching "a
dozen yoke OF oxen dragging a wagon piled with bales of some sort
OF merchandise. One question in his mind was answered. This spot
was not a n unknown one to her. 1t was connected with her child
hood days. There was reason back of her choice of it as a place of
meeting between her and her lawyer, or if not reason, association,
and that Of the tenderest kind. He felt himself relieved Of the ex.
IRENE weight of his oppression and ventured upon asking a ques-
tion or two about Sitord, which he took pains to say he was visiting
for the first time.
The information he obtained was but meagre, but he did learn
that there was a very fair tavern there and that the manufactures Of
the place were sufficient to account for a strangers visit. The
articles made were mostly novelties.
This knowledge he meant to turn to account, but changed his
mind when they finally splashed into town and stopped before the
tavern which had been so highly recommended by his driver. The
house, dripping though it was from every cave, had such a romantic
air that he thought he could venture to cite other reasons for his
stay there than the prosac one of business. That is, if the land
lady should give any evidence of being at all in accord with her
quaint home and picturesque surroundings.
She showed herself, and he at once gave her credit for being all
he could wish in the way of creduliy and good-nature, and meeting
her with the smile which had done good execution in its day. he
asked if she had a room for a writer who was finishing a book, and
who only asked for quiet and regular meals before his own cosy
fire This to rouse her imagination and make her amenable to his
wishes for secrecy.