Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-12-11
CHAPTER XIX.

length Walter determined to break the
Eilencs. which had become oppressive. 1t
did not seem natural for two persons to
bo In the same room so long without
speaking a word.
IL should think you would find 1t lone
ly living In the woods away from any
neighbors," he said.
II don't care for neighbors," said the
woman, shortly.
"Havs you lived here long7"
That's as people reckon tims," was the
snswsr.
"You don't have far to go for fuel"
was the next remark of our hero.
"Did you say you was book peddlsrr'
she inquired.
Il am book agent"
ia your business good one7" she ask
ed.
II have done very we'll so far. but then
have been at 1t only a week"
"It's q good thing to have money" said
the woman. more to herself than to Wal
ter.
yes" said Walter Its very conven-
iant to have money; but there are other
things that are better"
"such as what?" demanded the woman
abruptly.
Good health, and good conscience"
She laughed scornfully.
I'm tell you there's nothing so good
as money. I've wanted 1t all my life,
and never could get 1t. Do you think
would live here in the woods If / had
money! No, l should like to be lady,
and wear fine clothes, and drive about
IN a handsome carriage. Why are some
people so lucky, while live In this mis-
cradle hole7"
perhaps your luck will change some
day" he said, though he had little faith
10 his own words. He wondered how the
tall, gaunt woman Of the backwoods would
look dressed In silks and satins.
my luck never will change" she said,
quickly. II must live and die In. some
such hovei as this"
my luck has changed" said Walter,
quietly shut In different way"
''How?- she asked, betraying In her
tsne some curiosity.
"a year ago-six months sgo-my faith
&c was a rich man, or was considered So
He was thought to be worth over hun
dred thousand dollars. All at once his
property was swept away, and now l am
'OhHob W Vail MY oWn - JOu
see."
How did your father lose his money!"
by specializing in mines"
'Ths more fool he
MY father Is dead" said walter,
sraeely. Il cannot bear to hear him
blamed"
"Humph r. calculated the woman. 81
expect you are hungry"
"Yes," said Walter, II am; but 1 can
wait till your husband comes"
She took out from a small cupboard a
plate Of broad and some cold meat, and
laid them on the table. Then she steep
ed some tea, and. when It was ready, she
put that also on the table. Walter I'M
derstood from this that supper was ready,
snd, putting on his shoes, which were
now dry, he moved his chair up.
The woman poured him out soma tea
ia one of the cracked cups.
The FIRST sip of the tsa, which was
quite strong, nearly caused a wry sx-
preston on Walters face, but he man
aged 10 control himself 20 far as not to
betray his want of relish for thu bev-
ersge his hostess offered him. The only
redeeming quality it had was that 1t
was hot, and, exposed as he had been
to the storm, warm drink was agree
able.
There's some bread and there's some
meat" said the woman. "You can help
yourself"
Walter ate heartily Of the food, and
succeeded in smptying his cup Of tea.
He would have taken another cup il there
had boon milk and sugar, bat 1t wa stoo
bitter to be inviting.
Walter pushed his chair from thu table
and sat down again before the hre. She
rose and cleared the table. replacing the
bread and meat In the cupboard. There
was silence for another hour. Walter
wished II were time to 20 to bad, for
the presence Of such a woman made him
feel uncomfortable. But 1t was too early
yet to suggest retiring. At length the
silence was broken by n step outside.
That's Jack" said the woman, rising
hastily; and over her face there came a
transient CLEAN of satisfaction, the nrsi
Walter had observed.
Before she could reach the door II wss
opened, and Jack entered. Walter hook.
cd sp with some curiosity to zee what
sort of a man the husband Of this woman
might be. He saw stout man, with low.
sring eyes. and matter red hair and
beard.
They are ntly mated" thought our
hero.
The man stopped short as his glance
quickly to his wife.
"Who have you got here, Meg7" hs
asked, In a rough voice.
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