The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-04-10
A C0WARD'S EpITApH.

turned from them in bitter disap-
pointment.
At last he got wind of sailor who
had been on boat of which he had
previously heard nothing. He trav-
eled to Hull to see him, learned
there that he had started to tramp
to Newcastle, where he had relatives,
He walked doggedly, inquiring of
such folk as he met whether the
man had passed that way. Evening
fell apace, and found him on long
stretch of lonely road, conscious for
the first time in all that day of the
distance he had travelled, and the
weariness which was weighing him
down.
He was footsore, and he limped a
good deal, aware of a blister on his
left heel. To go on for any distance
was impossible. He must find shell
ter-an inn, If possible; If not, the
first dwelling place he could find.
Half a mile further along the road
the lights of small cottage shone
out from plantation. They glowed
cheerfully, inviting him to rest He
paused irresolutely at the gate, then
threw it open, and went up the path.
Raising the knocker of the door he
raped slowly three times, and await
ed an answer from the inmates.
There was an appreciable pause,
and then steps became audible in the
passage. The door opened, and an
elderly man appeared, holding lamp
high above his head, and looking out
curiously-
Railsford noticed that the some
what severe cast of his hosts coun-
tenance was deeply craven with lines
of suffering, and that his hair and
pointed beard were grey. He no.
ticed something further also; for a
second man had looked out with a
strange air of cagerness, which had
in it something of fear. The express
sion lasted but moment, and then
vanished, giving place to one of cour-
teous interrogation.
Il beg your pardon, SIR" said
Railsford, "but l have walked far
and am lame, and can see no sign
of an inn. l saw your lights and
wondered whether you would give
me shelter"
The man looked at him gravely.
God forbid that we should turn
any one from our DOORS" he said,
but l fear we shall be a somewhat
cheerless company for you. You
come to a house of mourning"
"The better-if l do not intrude
upon you," replied Railsford, grimly.
81, too, have cause for grief"
Come in, sir, come in," said the
man. He stood aside to permit his
visitor to enter, and ushered him into
room which opened from the right
of the passage.
Railsford looked about him. The
place was simply but comfortably
furnished. The large table in the
centre was covered with crimson
cloth, and a lamp standing upon it
shed it's soft radiance about the walls.
Two large horsehair chairs flanked
the fire. One of them had been
pushed back, as though his host had
risen from it.
Close beside the lamp sat a gentle,
refined looking woman with scanty
silver hair. She was knitting indus
triously, and the ceaseless clicking of
her needles paused butyfor moment
at his entrance, and then went on
again. In that moment she had
glanced at him with the same air
of half fearful expectancy which he
had observed in her husband. Then
she glanced at an open Bible which
lay before her on the table, sighed,
and continued her work.
my dear" said her husband,
"here is a stranger who has walked
far and who asks our hospitality" 4"
He turned to Railsford. Let me
introduce you to my wife, Mrs. Fos-
ter. l am Captain Foster, at your
service"
my name is Railsford," replied
Arthur; Il must apologize for my in
trusions but l really cannot go fur
ther tonight"
The woman put down her work
and rose.
1--WE are glad to be of service to
you," she said gently. IF you will
excuse me, will see that you have
some food"
His host indicated a chair; the
woman left the room, and returned
in few moments with cold meat,
bread, and jug of beer. She set
these before him on the table. Rails
ford was too hungry to make fur
ther apologies. He set to work upon
the victuals, and soon began to feel
more satisfied. All the time he was
busy with the meal the elderly couple
watched him in silence, the woman
knitting nervously, the man, leaning
back in his armchair apparently lost
in thought. The silence began to
oppress Railsford, and he spoke.
II do not wish to be intrusive" he
said, but l imagined as / came in
that you had been expecting some
one."