Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-27

Happily ere movement was late, business led him
down into the dale and the tongues of gossip at How
pen Croft made known him the ms and outs OF the
little romance.
"Im not saying it's true Brisco," good Mistress
Shelton informed him, "for ye ken for yourself how
servant asses talk, and the queer way they twist
straight tale but I'm told that Gaskells pride has got
the better of him, and that young Hugh Graham has
been forbidden the house."
"And what about the lassie?"
60, she's Gaskell you ken, and the oald Gaskell
pride has sealed her lips. Whinscarth they tell has
been turned into house of silence. You ken yourself
how she's been set on her father. There's just
been him an her for such long time, an she's not
likely to go agen him. But she's going about quieike,
with white face and pitiful look that wiln't be
hid" And pause and then the good wife added with
deep emphasis, give been thnkn that the right word
spoken by the right might the lasse fra the
loss of love and her father fra disaster. An l
think ken her hearts not far fra breaking. There
the who's got the power O. speech"
Thank YOU Mistress Skelton"-Brsco spoke gravely,
but his face carried light smile-its good of you to
tell me this think I'll be getting up the Gap toward
home"
A whistle for Ladde, CHEEKY good day, and Brisco
went swinging across the farmySrd, while Mistress
Shelton watched him from the doorway with look of
content Over the dale and through the rock-bound
gates of the pass the master of Garrowghyll his
collie we'll heel but instead of heading for home he
by-and-by scaled the wall, low and loosely built and
made Decline across the rolling expanse of fell
country. And and again, after his own pleasant
way he threw few odd scraps of talk to the dog, who
wagged his tail in silent Endorsement of all that
said.
Eth, Laddie, we're pair of busybodies, you and
me- Here we are, interfering in other folks
business again. But never mind, there are
mistakes in the making and we must bear hand, or
a asse will have her life spoit and couple OF men
be soured till the end of time"
A mile the heaher-spanged moorand Brisco
dipped into leafy lane, where the honeysucke filled
the air with fragrance and the dog hung full
bloom followed its winding track and halted when the
lane ran to an end in front of od-time home half
farm, half mansion, dwelling with diamond lights,
sharp-ponted gables Elizabethan front and uxuriant
of clinging foliage.
Short the shrift given ceremony in those homes
of the dale when Brisco the caller and the echoes
of the iron capper had scarcely filtered away ere he
found himself hand in hand with the man whom he
had made it his mission to
you're not so well, Caskel What have you been
doing with yoursef? he began, by of gently open
ing the attack
But the other pared the stroke and turned the con-
versation to cattle and sheep. Brisco that there
was case calling for strength well tact and his
reply drew a stare of surprise from his friend.
"Shaf to the sheep It's you I've come to see man,
and about you and yours I've to talk I'm glad
to hear you're in such grand health yourself and hows
Mary?"
ooh she's nicely, Brisco thank you-very nicely,
1 think"
"And I'm thinking I'll be sending the doctor up to
both of you" Brisco dryy retorted. I'D word with
Mary down the Croft the other day, and thought ia
never seen her looking frail and-and worried. l
tell Won bothered about her since. The