The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1908-12-24
The Road to
Already.
BY MPLE BAILEY:
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press

~VNVVVVA
How very extraordinarily said
Christopher Kent. He sat up and sur
veyed the red covered cart drawn by
u very plump pony hat had stopped
by the side Of the road.
A girl in smart costume Of tan
covert climbed down from the front
seat and led the pony out of the
shafts, tied him with long tether so
that he might crop the juicy sod and
then, returning once more to the cart,
helped a somewhat fragile but smiling
lady to descend.
We'll, of all thingsw said Christie
pher helplessly.
But words failed him as he watched
the further proceedings Of the girl in
tan.
From the depths of the cart she
brought forth little folding table,
which she proceeded to set up in a
place screened from the gaze Of pass
ing folk by hedge of wild honey
suckle
On the table the girl set a shining
copper kettle, two cups, two plates, a
small teapot and various tin boxes and
little glass jars, whose gay labels pro-
claimed the deliciousness within.
It's a picnic" the young man de-
cided, and as the older lady lighted the
alcohol flame and 1t burned beneath
the copper kettle Christopher sighed.
In ten minutes he was due at the
Sunset inn for his supper. He would
eat it with the rest of the surveying
party Of which he was the head. They
would have fried ham and boiled pota-
toes and pie, and the only woman
would be the girl who waited on the
table and who was big and frouzy and
stupid.
And here within stones throw Of
where he lay under the great oak were
two ladies making tea as daintily as IL
they were in their drawing room.
He laid down his book. TITS ro-
mantle situation" he reflected, land
far be it from me to evade it." With
that he stepped jaunt1ly into the open.
He saw the girl lift her head and
look at him. and as he went toward
her she rose and came forward.
Il am SO glad" she said, ito see
some one who will tell me if there is a
place near here where l can get oats
for my pony. l gave him the last this
morning"
II was just coming" Christopher re-
piled gravely, Ito find If there was
anything I could do for you. 1t Is an
unusual circumstance, 1 might say a
great treat, to see ladies up here. l
felt that must offer you the hospitali-
ty Of the mountain road-the keys Of
our city, as it were"
The girl gave him quick glance
noting the strength Of the tall figure
and his air Of good breeding. Il am
sure" she said. that you are very
kind, and now if you will tell me your
name will present you to my mother,
Mrs. Ames."
The older lady acknowledged the in
PRODUCTION genially.
You must stay and have tea with
u.s." she said. Il am afraid we can't
offer you much but timed things. But
they are really good, and Eleanor was
able to get some eggs and some lettuce
this morning. so she Is going to have
Il salad and make an Omelet in the
chatting dish"
Then your picnic has been an all
day affair." was Christopher's ques-
lion.
1T has been all affair Of two
months" Mrs. Ames said, with a smile
I'VE live In the cart"
You live Words failed the
young man as he looked at the two
graceful women, each with the indie
Unable something that proclaims the
sheltered woman.
1t seemed incredible that they should
trust themselves alone in the mountain
wilds with their pony and their frafl
little cart
But the daughter was explaining
smilingly. I'VE lost everything" she
said lin the panic last fall. And
mothers health failed at the same
time The doctor said that she must
have the mountain air, and we had the
pony-he was pet from my little girl
days-so we bought the cart and start
ed on a trip Of adventure.
I'VE have been on the road two
months and haven't had single I'M
comfortable experience. Mother has
gained ten pounds and we have had a
lovely time
But isn't 1t bit dangerous?' Kent
asked
I'VE were a little scared at first,
Eleanor admitted, especially at night.
There was always an owl to boot or
dog to howl or frog to croak. but
after we got used to it we slept like
babies
Kent shook his head. There's a
pretty tough class among the miners
up here. It's different lower down,
where you come in touch only with az
ricultural communities. But some OF
these men are very ignorant and very
rough"
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