The Democratic advocate., 1908-11-27
The Road to
Already.
R'v TEMPLE BAILEY.
conyrtghted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

{ Annnnnn~nnn>>>n>>~r/\>~<s
auow very extraordinary! said
cbristonher Kent He sat up and sur
lor.od the red covered cart drawn by
,.nrv plump pony hat had stopped
br the side of the road.
rirl In a smart costume of tan
.ororr climbed down from the front
.oot and led the pony out Of the
sbofts tied him with a long tether so
thot he might crop the juicy sod and
tLon returning once more to the cart
ho,nad n somewhat fragile but smiling
lady TO descend. -
swell of all things" said Christie
pher helplessly.
Rur words failed him as he watched
tho 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
Mace screened from the gaze of pass
mo folk by hedge of wild honey
suckle.
On the table the girl set shining
CONNER kettle, two cups, two plates, a
small teapot and various tin boxes and
little glass jars, whose gay labels pro-
claimed the deliciousness within.
"Its a picnic" the young man de-
cdpd. and as the older lady lighted the
alcohol fame and it burned beneath
tbe copper kettle Christopher sighed.
In ten minutes he was due at the
Sunset inn for his supper. He would
car # with the rest of the surveying
marty 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 We're
two ladies making tea as daintily as II
they were in their drawing room.
He laid down his book. cts ro-
mantle situation" he reflected, ''apd
far be 1t from me to evade it," With
that he stepped jauntily 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
place near here where can get oats
for my pony l gave him the last this
morning"
81 was just coming" Christopher re-
9
anything I could do for you. 1t is an
unusual circumstance, I might say a
great treat, to see ladies up here. I
felt that l must offer you the hospitali-
ty of the mountain road-the keys Of
our city, as it We're"
The girl gave him quick glance,
noting the strength of the tall figure
and his air of good breeding. 81 am
sure" she said, 'that you are very
kind, and now if you will tell me your
name l 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. II am afraid we can't
offer you much but timed things. But
they are really good, AMI Eleanor was
able to get some eggs and some lettuce
this morning, so she is, going to have
salad and make an omelet in the
chatting dish"
Then your picnic hes been an all
day AFFAIR."" was Christopher's Ques-
tiOn
ut has been an affair Of two
MONTHS Mrs. Ames said, with a smile.
We live in the cart"
You live Words failed the
young man as he looked at the two
graceful women, each with the inde-
Enable something that proclaims the
sheltered woman.
1t seemed incredible that they should
trust themselves alone in the mountain
wilds with their pony and their frail
little cart.
But the daughter was explaining
smilingly. 1--WE lost everything" she
said, I'm 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 trip of adventure.
I'VE have been on the road two
months and haven't had single un-
comfortable experience. Mother has
gained ten pounds, and we have had a
lovely time"
But isn't it a bit dangerous?" Kent
asked.
I'VE We're a little scared at first,
Eleanor admitted, especially at night.
Inere was always an owl to hoot or a
uoe to howl or a 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 ag.
ncultural communities. But some of
tnese men are very ignorant and very
rough"
Please" the girl cautioned, "please
uch tell us about them. We want to
reach the top Of the mountain, and
am not bit afraid"
she was making the omelet as she
@lked, turning it expertly with a thin
mile and taking 1t up when it was
pufy and brown.
IL Is food fit for the GODS" Kent
commented when she had served il
fh4 L.