Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-03-27

4 ing away on either hand
through following level meadows. And
now. above the roaring undertone or
the cars, from far ahead foated back
the treble bell notes of the locomotive
There came a gritting vibration OF
brakes. Slowly, more slowly, the cars
glided to creaking standstill beside a
sun scorched platform gay with the
bright hutter of sunshades and sum-
mer gowns.
"Shotover! Shotoverw rang the far
cry along the cars, and an absent
minded young man in the Pullman
pocketed the uncut magazine he had
been dreaming over and, picking up
gun case and valise, followed q line
of fellow passengers to the open air,
where one by one they were engulfed
and lost to view amid the gay confu-
sion on the platform.
The absentminded young man, how
ever. did not seem to know exactly
where he was bound for. He stood
hesitating, leisurely inspecting the
flashing ranks of vehicles-depot Wag-
ons, omnibuses and motor cars-already
eddying around dusty gravel drive
centered by the conventional railroad
flower bed and fountain. The long
train moved out through the Septem-
Der sunshine amid clouds of snowy
steam.
The young man, gun case In one
hand, suit case in the other, looked
about him in his good humored, lei
surely manner for anybody or any ve-
hicle which might be waiting for him.
His amiable inspection presently
brought busting baggagemaster
within range of vision, and he spoke
to this official, mentioning his hosts
name.
"Lookin' for Mr.. Ferrall?" repeated
the baggagemaster, spinning a trunk
dexterously into rank with its fellows.
"Say, one of Mr.. Ferralls men was
here Just now. There he is over there
uncratin' that there bird dog"
The young mans eyes followed the
direction indicated by the grimy
thumb. A red faced groom in familiar
livery was kneeling beside dogs
travelling crate attempting to unlock
1t, while behind the bars an excited
white setter whined and thrust forth
first one silky paw, then the other.
The young man watched the scene
for moment.
"Are you one of Mr.. Ferralps men"
he then asked in his agreeable voice.
The groom looked up, then stood up.
"Yis, SORT"
"Take these. I'm Mr.. Siward-for
Shotover House. I dare say you have
room for me and the dog too"
The groom opened his mouth to
speak, but Siward took the crate key
from his fingers, knelt and tried the
lock. 1t resisted. From the depths OF
the crate a beseeching paw fell upon
his cuff.
Certainly, old fellow" he said
soothingly. II know how you feel
about it. I know you're in hurry,
and we'll have you out in a second.
Steady, boy! Something's damned, you
see. Only one moment now! There
you are!"
The dog attempted to bolt as the
crate door opened, but the young man
caught him by the leather collar, and
the groom snapped on leash.
BEG pardon, sorr," began the
groom, carried almost off his feet by
the frantic circling Of the dog-"beg
pardon, sorr, but I'll be afther SEEM If
amy of Mr.. Ferrall's men drove over
for you"
sob! Are you not one Of Mr.. Fer
rails men~
"Yis, sorr, but I hadn't amy orders
to meet amy wan"
Haven't you anything here to drive
me in?"
"Yis, sorr. I'll look to see"-
The raw groom, much embarrassed
and keeping his feet with difficulty
against the plunging dog, turned to-
ward the gravel drive, where now only
q steam motor and a depot wagon re-
manned. AS they looked the motor
steamed out, honking hoarsely. The
depot wagon followed, leaving the cir
Gle at the end of the station empty OF
vehicles.
Didn't Mr.. Ferrall expect me"
asked Siwsrd.
Jaw, yis, SORT, but the gintlemen for
Shotover House does ginerally always
COON by Black Fells, sorr."
20 Lordr' said the young man. II