Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-10

tho,, marched along the mountain
road that led along the quarrles, ana pas,
cheerful prospect of blast holes ana ueii''N''
back to the house. - ,,,,,ob
The girls hated this walk almost as mueh
as the trigonometry lesson that preceueu ~,
for they were not allowed to pick up even d
pebble; and Miss Eliza kept up uii''i'"'
ter's watch on them all the time
Heads up. Young ladies; shoulders back;
little brisker there in the rear; twenty lines
of Latin dictation to Miss Morris for swinging
her arms" ~
But. despite her argus-eyed keeper. Ink de-
termined that this walk should be her oppor
tunity for escape. So she took up her place
in the column that evening, with hale H'e
dollars in her pocket and a large canvas Dag
to hold her purchases folded under her cloak
There was one particular bend in the road
where the rocks were heaped IN rough,
broken ridge, and the passers-by had to walk
single file Miss Martha was nearsighted ana
absent minded, but even sharp-eyed MISS Ellz
had to look to her footing here. 30 IL was
not a very difficult matter tor active 1riA to
slip quietly behind one OF the great ooulders
and drop down on her knees until the col
umn passed. She waited until the last tiutter
of Miss Marthas veil disappeared, and then
sprang up, with long breath of relief She
was free for the first time in long, weary
weeks-free True, it was a strange world
cold sky bent above her; they were bleak
heights on which she stood. But she felt like
some wild thing loosed from its cage, and
bounded along over the rocky path, her eyes
bright and her cheeks flushed with the hight
and color she had almost lost since her com
ing to Northwood.
The very desolation Of the place interested
Trix. and more than once she paused on her
way to peep down the blackened depths of
some blast hole, glance over the sides OF the
quarries, climb some great rock to take
wider view of the strange, wild scene.
c hl-n nj
in Lima Groot's story book, where only the
wicked dwarfs have power and nothing sweet
or wholesome grow. Ii 1essle were here
she would begin to believe the old German
legend of Sangprechel true-Sangprechel who
lives in the heart of the mountain and turns
all he touches into stone. My own little les
sic! | wonder if she misses me as | miss her
or is Aunt Prue turning her against me- too!
1t was a hard thought, and Trx tried to
drive it away by starting off with redoubled
speed for the Gap.
The wintry afternoon was already drawing
to its close. The sun, shining like a great
yellow ball through the mists, was low in the
horizon. She must make her purchases and
hurry home.
But. despite her haste. it was nearly dark
when she reached the Cap which was the
had cut though notch in the mountain; and
store" accommodated travellers and resi-
dents with everything, from a barrel of Hour
to roll of tape.
But the railroad, three miles distant, had
damaged business at the Gap very seriously,
and the store had fallen from its dignity a,
postoffice, and not very reputable place
now.
So Trix found herself in rather a rough
crowd when she made her way to the counter,
for it was Thanksgiving Eve, and everyone
had some purchases TO make Tor the morrow
Trix's order was quickly filled by brisk
young clerk, and she packed up her lemons
and sugar, cakes and caramels in her canvas
bag quite unconscious that eyes, both evil and
greedy. were watching her every movement
and noting everything, from the ruby ring
grandmas bequest-on her ungloved hand to
the pretty silver-clasped purse she took from
her pocket.
Granny Muldoon wants credit for a pint
of gin and a paper of tobacco!" called cut
the assistant clerk, as a bent and wrinkled old
woman, with a red shawl about her head, hob
bled up to the counter.
'No credit for Granny Muldoon-here, d
was the brief reply.
"No, no, Master Drake. you don't mear
that, surely" whined the old woman, "You'r,
not refusing poor, lone creature like me he
drap and her smoke"
"Yes / AMI was the decided reply 4"
know you. granny. You'd better make track
out Of this establishment as quick as YOU can
or I'll find score against you that You won
like to settle SO clear out while you can"
Granny binkcd across at the speaker will
eyes that were sharp and cunning as an ole
"Ah, you're a hard man, Jim Drake!" sh
mumbied. Maybe the day will come whel
you'l want bit and sup yourself