The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-02

/ bracken In a few minutes he reached
the top, and then he looked around
/ dim.
/ \ look of recognition came into mis-
eyes. He saw the cottage al which he
had stayed after he had been driven
out Of Taylton; away in the distance
was the pool which the country people
said vas haunted by the devil He re-
membered it when he saw II last as
dark and iorbidding. but today it
CLEANED in the sunlight, Below him
not much more than mile away, was
the farmhouse in which he had shell
tered himself from storm, when he
WAS planning what he Should do with
his life.
Scarcely without knowing why, he
turned his footsteps towards the farm
II wonder if the woman lives there
still, he said to himself. Let me see
what was she called. Yes, Mrs Peth'
lex, | remember now, and she talked
religion to me. She believed in it,
too"
He cast his mind back over the
years again, and remembered what
,ne woman had said to him
Il wonder, | wonder if there's any
thing in il. after all?" no said with =
Ugh
Everything was quiet at the farm
yard when he came to it, \ sheep dog
lifted his head sleepy and prepared
to growl, but, seeing a well dressed
man, decided that all was well. The
chickens crouched beneath the shade
OF tree; evidently the day was too
warm for them to seek for food Moth
ing was to be heard save the occa-
sional chirp of bird. 1t was far warm
er there in the farmyard than up
among the moors where he had been
walking.
Leicester walked up to the kitchen
door and knocked.
Come in," said voice, which, in
spite of the years which had elapsed,
Leicester rememered.
He opened the door and walked in.
He recognized the kitchen at once
the cool slate floor, the huge chimney
place at the end, and the long deal
table. Then huge fire leaped up the
chimney. Now there were only a few
red embers, on which a kettle sang
merrily.
Mrs Pethick appeared as he enter
4 ed she was but little altered; the
six years had sat lightly upon her
and she looked the same healthy, buX
ON countrywoman that she had looked
then. And yet Leicester thought he
saw a sadder look in her eyes, and he
wondered why it was.
Il wondered if you would sell me
glass OF milk, ma am he said, by way
OF introducing himself.
Glass of milk" she replied. you
en- ave so much milk as you mind
to, but | shaan't zeil drap a milk
'Twud dn be witty"
You mean that you won't take any
money" said Leicester.
"To be sure | wa'ant. shud be
ashamed to look zee in the face, ef
| wos to taake yer money fer a drop
O. milk
Leicester laughed at the woman's
vehemence.
Hive 'ee come from far, then, sur;
you do look ot and tired?" she con-
tinued.
Yes, | have walked good many
miles-frOm Vale Linden. Have you
ever heard of it?"
"Iss, I've 'eerd ov it, but I've never
been there Why that must be more n
twenty miles"
Very Likely. I've walked from
there"
And how be zee goin' back
I'm going to walk"
Good gracious. Wlhy--but "udden
'ee ruther ave a cup OF .ay, sur
II am afraid it would he troubling
you"
Trouble? Nothing of the sort. Be-
sides. be goin to ave on2 :uy1elf.
r. yoI1' jist wait two or three MIN
it,. i'll be ready. There. yoA go and
set in the armchair there, while | d
git ct"
For the first time he realized that
he was tired. He accepted the womans
invitation, and sat down. How quiet
and peaceful everything was. Not Q
sound save the ticking of the eight
day clock and the kettle singing on
the glowing embers. A little later Mrs.
Pethick laid a snowy cloth on the end
of the table nearest Leicester. and