Evening star., 1907-09-01

cajoe Dick Ryder,
though maybe he might daily with her so that she
deemed so For are like some breed of dogs
that the quarry by their nose and without
using eyes or wits-the Lord pity theml Yet It's
women that oft betray man into a predlcanent
without any participation on his part, and some
times on theirs.
Thus it with at the Dun Cow, tavern
with comfortable hostess in Wiltshire. Twas
place that | had come upon by chance, refuge off
the man road in a pretty village grit with trees.
You might think this Stoke Fanton was at the
tarthest end of the world; SO quiet and ignorant
II of what went forward beyond its borders.
was in Jarnt from Bath, when there was hue
and cry raised my heels, that first to earth
there one dark night; and l had ever and anon
afterwards visited the inn and the 1andlady when l
was IN those parts. The Dun Cow was rckety
house, with oak beams showing in its face, the
which was as tlpsy tinker S. But twas COM
Portable within, and the woman had way with
her. | doubt not she had suffered of rough hus
band in her time; but she was quit of him now,
and well liking, and toasted her toes Also
she had good hand for business r,lstics go, and
her face and figure were engaging, though she was
past her homage.
Well, this the witch that must needs set her
self down to charm me. Not that | wanted much
for encouragement; for, look you It's idle place,
the country, and leaves mort of mischief calling
the ears. But Mrs. Battle was comey and
further, she had done we'll by me, that was not
indsposed to put up my bags and chatels and drink
OF good ale upon occasion. And all the while twas
d convenient hole in which to lie hid
Twas a summer evening the last time | laid
there, very and clear and bright, with the
wind purrlng IN the west, and the odOrs of these
zephyrs over the countryside Says Mrs. Battle
when she sped me at the door, dropping her broom
La It's the Captain!"
SO It's, my pretty said !, and glad to see a
friendly light kinde those beaCons.
" "Tls your fine London manners, sir, said She
1--WE do not trust 'em here" But she brded and
gave me welcome all the
And conceive me set there within two minutes
Jug of ale to my hand, and pipe twixt my teeth
,gling of Mrs Battle, and watching her spryly
dance about the room she smiled and sniggered
and giggled and continued of cooking tasty
supper Thinks |, It's earth this fox will rest in
awhile, till his breath be come again. Buo presently
through the windows, that were open to the
mer evening, perceived the figure of a stand
ing with an arm upon eglantlne that crept about
the lattice; and then he leaned the sill with
slow movement, and says he in a harsh voice, very
creaky, like rusty saw, and without stirring of his
face more than ruffe:
II give ye good even,' he says.
Twas squeak like hen he said good, ;"
as If he were shying mincingy at 1T like mare with
the WITNESSES.
Robert Maxwell" says Mrs Battle without
turning her head, " tbs no way to enter by VIM
dow. Folks should know more manners than that,
even If they be foreigners"
Twas spoken pleasantly enough with hint of
airlness IN it; and the mans broad face stretched
in a grin. He was lump of creature, very hairy
to look on.
in his barbarous voice. :" 1t should ha been cut
back to the young shoots last summer
Lord! | cannot give you any notion of how
earthly this monster talked nor of his accent,
yet of the ginger hair his face, and his walk
that was waddle. He entered the doorway upon
his speech, and came in siding
Il doubt, Mary" says he very deliberate, eff
yon will serve by the wall without. 'Ts an
aspect that likes em not
The great oaf sat there in a chair too little for
his g1rth, and you would have laughed to hear him
talk thus of flowers and trees and trash of that
sort, If twas of any account. Damme! a man
well Ira n IL