Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-01
The Road to
 Already. By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted. 1908 by Associated
 Literary Press.

yeyed the red covered cart drawn by a very plump pony hat had stopped by the side of the road.
 A girl in a 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.
 Well. of all things" said Christo- 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 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.
 "Its a picnic" the young man de- cided, and as the older lady lighted the alcohol flame and it 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 a stones throw of where be lay under the great oak were two ladies making tea as daintily as if they were in their drawing room.
 He laid down his book. Its a TO- mantle situation" he reflected, and 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.
 T am so glad" she said, 'to see some one who will tell me if there is place near here where I can get oats for my pony. gave him the last this morning."
 q was just coming" Christopher re- piled gravely, "to find if there was anything I could do for you. It is an unusual circumstance. I might say great treat, to see ladies up here. 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. 'I 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 irt- troduction genially
 You must stay and have tea with us," she said. T 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 a salad and make an omelet in the chafng dish"
 Then your picnic has been an all day affair."" was Christopher's ques- tion.
 Tt has been an affair of two months" Mrs. Ames said, with 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- flnable something that proclaims the sheltered woman.
 It 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. We lost everything" she said, fin 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.
 "We 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 1t bit dangerous Kent asked.
 eve were little scared at first' Eleanor admitted, especially at night There was always an owl to boot or a dog 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 az ricultural communities. But some of these men are very ignorant and very rough
 Please" the girl cautioned. please don't tell us about them. We want to reach the top of the mountain, and I am not bit afraid"
 She was making the omelet as she talked, turning it expertly with thin knife and taking 1t up when 1t was puffy and brown.
 Tt is food fit for the gods" Kent commented when she had served it with the salad and cream cheese and crackers.