The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1909-05-03

so on his way. He remembered fairly
well the road which he had traversed
road and somewhat serpentine as it
followed the windings of the Ken and
the Dee. 1T was SO far eaSv to follow
that there We're no bifurcations and
few cross roads. And so with resolute
heart-for there was something to
overcome here-and difficulty meant to
MIN distraction from pain-he pushed
on into the growing obscurity of the
fog.
On the high ground above Shirmers
he felt the wind driving more keenly
in his face; but he did not plause. He
trudged on hopefully; every step he
took was bringing him closer to Eng
lanG-and to Joy. Now it was that
he felt the value OF the stout walking
cudgel that he had purchased from a
passing drover. For in the fog he was
like a blind man: sight needed the
friendly aid of touch.
But it was dreadfulIy slow work and
at the end of a few hours he was
wearled out with the overwhelming
struggling with the tiniest details of
hampered movement. Being on foot
and of slow progress he had one adj
vantage over travelling on horseback
or in vehicle: he was able to take
advantage of every chance opportunity
of enlightenment. From passing ped
estrians and at wayside cottages he
gathered directions for his guidance. 1t
was IIllOLlEuC-Cne town CLOCK was
striking-when he entered Castle Doug
las and began to inquire his way to
the Walter Scott hotel.
After repeated knocking the door
thick-headed. sleepy. tousled man, sur
ly and grudGing of speech. Athlyne
pushed past him into the hall way and
said:
Aye. 1t KEN a'recht. But that was
all them KEN. Ye was expectit. an the
missis KEEP the rooms for We till late;
but when We didna come she gied We
up an let anither parity that was lost
/ the fog haze the bedroom. ALI that's
left is the parlour. an that we can
hae an We will. F'orbye that yell haze
to sleep on the Sofy. Am thinkin' it's
weel it's DER long than ordinair', for
wee no a ween yersel. Bide wheer y
are. an All fetch We a rug or two an
a cushion. Ye maun put up WI them
the NIGHT for yen git name ither here"
He left him standing in the dark: and
Shuffled away down a dim stairway.
to the basement.
In few minutes he re-appeared
with n bundle Of rugs and pillows I'M
der his arm; in his hand was a bottle
of whiskey, with the drawn cork part
ly re-inserted. With the dizziness of
an accomplished servitor he carried in
his other hand, together with the can
die, pitcher of water and a tumbler.
AS he went UP the staircase he said
in a whisper:
Man. walk saft as We gang; an
dinna cough nor sneeze or max
soond in the room or yell maybe wax
en- til ither body. Joost gang like
man at a carrin'. An mind we dinna
snore! Lie We like a BARN. What time
shall A cal YEP"
II want to catch the morning train
for the SOUTH
'That'n be a 'recht. All ca We
Draw an airly!'
Good night said Athlvne as he
softly closed the door.
He spread one rug on the sofa. which
supplemented by 9 chair. was of suf-
ficient length; put the other ready to
cover himself, and fixed the cushions.
Having stripped to his hannels he
blew out the candle, and. without
making a sound. turned in. He was
wearied in mind and nerve and body.
and the ease of lying down acted like
a powerful narcotic Within a minute
he was sound asleep.