Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-01
ably also in tue culininating tragedy of

ably also in tue eliminating tragedy o | his death
 When I was rid of my visitor SC forth upon stroll in the woods. I was 4 in the afternoon, and the SUI
 shone very fercely upon the whit
 roads, throwing black shadows iron
 the trees. dropped from the roadwa,
 into rude moss grown track that raj
 into the heart of the valley, and pres
 ently, leaving the more open parts O the forest, struck into the deepel brakes and tangles below. The littl, stream ran here in the bottom verJ
 pleasantly, sometimes brawling ovel
 shadows and at other parts more si
 lently ill eddies and drifts over darker
 and deeper pools As I followed its
 course l came shortly upon a spo,
 where the channel made an elbow al
 most at right angles with its former
 direction, and here deserted the form
 of Captain Sercombe A sound oi
 voices reached me, and, cheered by the
 prospect of companion with whom
 to exchange sentences, I uttered short
 Hello" and dived through the under growth toward him. When emerged upon the open space upon which the captain stood my attention was caught by rustling among the branches, and
 had glimpse of some one just dis appearing into the wood. I stopped with my eyes fastened upon the point. for something familiar in the incident struck me all of sudden. That lean. slim figure, that swift, precipitate rush these were as impressions recovered from some past experience Captain Sercombe was lazily whipping deep pool, pipe between his teeth. and, turning his head. he hailed me:
 You have frightened my fish. sir" said he
 I begged his pardon somewhat ab- stractedly, and. raising himself, he looked at me. following the direction of my glance.
 "Oh. that's my worthy and very ob- sequious host" said he. with a smile, taking his pipe from his mouth. T wish he would let me alone. but he's so awfully offieions. Thought he knew the likeIiest spots. and would insist on showing me As if I hadn't fished be- fore he was bornr'
 I joined him on tho bank.
 Any lrck:'' asked.
 He opened his basket. "A couple of smauish oDes.' he returned. But there's big fellow here. if your noise hasn't frightened him.
 He threw q cast very neatly and. bending over his line. was wholly ab- sorbed by his occupatio But nothing would tempt the trout to rise. and the captain soon gave me his attention again.
 There's nothing equal to an obsti- nate fish" he remarked thoughtfully. i T envy you. Mir Greatorex. If lived i in this spot could ask no better than to spend my life on the banks of this . brook
 .Ah, you have the proper spirit" { said I.
 All the same he declared. its a 1 mighty hot tramp through those brakes, and I've earned my dinner
 We left the stream in company ana to the highroad
 Come in said the captain as we { cached the WoodInan. and the invi- {. ation was so natural, issued as so much a matter of course. that I en- cred behind Him almost unconsciously You will excuse me if have little efreshment, Mir Greatorex," he said. \ I have been out since 10 o'clock and m only held together by few sand yiches. Besides. I have always an ap- 'etite. Hood, Hooir' be called
 The inkeeper entered and received is orders. Now. sir. take seat. I think you'll ind that apology for a sofa at least comfortable" continued my host, and e flung himself. breathing hard. into n armchair and famed his face with is handkerchief
 How is the new inheritance? he sked presently.
 There was no shadow of offense in is voice. and should have been surly 1deed 10 have taken for liberty what ras clearly friendly interest in my fairs. I said I hoiied that he would ay me visit and see for himself.
 Thank you very much" said he, Tith a delicate bow of acknowledg- lent. ''I shall be delighted. had a ight of the old place yesterday as I asse1 the gates'' |, Hood entered with tray of refresh lents, and Sercombe drew himself up } the table and began upon his untine- ' meal. '.I don't know what digestion is. Mir. he explained. T believe ,