The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-12-03
The Road to
Already.
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted. 1903. by Associated
Literary Press.


veyed the red covered cart drawn by
Il 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 tcther 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.
We'll. of all things said Christie
phcr 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 a little folding table,
which she proceeded to set up in
place screened from the gaze of pass
ing folk by a hedge of wild honey.
suckle.
On the table the girl set a 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.
It's a picnic" the young man de-
cided, and as the older lady lighted the
alcohol flame and ii burned beneath
the copper kettle Christopher sighed.
In ten minutes he was due at the
Sunset inn for his supper. He would
eat 1t with the rest of the surveying
party of which he was the head. They
would have fried ham and boiled pota-
toes and pic, 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 he 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 ro-
mantle situation" he reflected, land
far be 1t from me to eyade it, With
that he stepped jauntiy 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.
II am so glad" she said. ito see
some one who will tell me If there Is
place near here where l can get oats
for my pony. 1 gave him the last this
morning"
81 was just coming" Christopher re-
piled gravely, ITO find If there was
anything l could do for you. 1t is an
unusual circumstance, l might say
great treat, to see ladies up here. |
felt that | must offer you the hospital-
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. Il 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 Il 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
chatting dish"
"Then your picnic has been an all
day AFFAIR."" was Christopher's ques-
ton.
at has been an affair of two
months" Mrs. Ames said, with smile.
I'VE live in the cart"
"You live Words failed the
young man as he looked Mt the two
graceful women, each with the indie
Unable 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
smilngly. I'VE lost everything" she
said "in 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 "a 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 I'M
comfortable experience. Mother has
gained ten pounds, and we have had
lovely time"
But isn't 1t bit dangerousY' Kent
asked
I'VE were n little scared at first"
Eleanor admitted, especially at night,
There was always an owl to boot or
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 ag-
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 l
am not a bit afraid"
She was making the omelet as she
talked, turning it expertly with a thin
knife and taking 1t up when IL was
puffy and brown.
at is food fit for the gods" Kent
commented when she had served 1t
with the salad and cream cheese and
crackers.
"If you only knew" he continued,
show good It seems to eat once more