The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-11-29


where water is less scarce an,
transport to market is easier ant
cheaper; so that though the gar
lens. in their overrun, semi-NilC
condition, remain, the district has
become for the most part a trif'ine
settlement of empty houses rapidly
falling into decay, which is the
way OF the mud-walled. coarsely
thatched houses of the Boer farmer.
In the heart of a large plantation
of peach and apricot trees stands
the ruin OF a large farm. The skel-
eton walls remain, but all wood
work and roof are gone, and the
tropical rains have already begun
the final destruction of the clumsy
brickwork.
And vet within these walls, cum
ningly contriyed so that the desert
ed external appearance shoulll not
be interfered with, Guy Chalmer
had constructed temporary home
A portion of the building had been
rooted in with corrugated iron a
little below the topmost brickwork,
and the rest formed a roofless sta
BILE for his two horses.
In this shelter Guy had settled
himself for the night An oil-lamp
threw its yellow light over a scene
of the rudest possible furnishings
| a pile of blankets and korosses oc-
cupied one corner. For a table he
used a large packing case, turned
upside down, and another, of small
er proportions, for a seat beside it,
On yet another were the scattered
remnants of meal, and beside
this, in cluster, stood a pail of
water, half a pumpkin, a few heads
of green mealies, sack of flour,
and some cooking pots and panni-
kins. The only other furniture was
cupboard-a packing case set on
end, with its lid serving as a door
and an old portmanteau, which
contained his wardrobe.
Guy was sitting a his table read.
ing letter. The room was very
still Now andl again the paper rus
tied in his hand, and an occasional
snort came from the horses out
side; otherwise the silence was un-
broken.
Suddenly his black eyes flashed
up from his letter There was a
look of the keenest attention on
his face. He was expecting no one,
but his ears, rendered supersensi-
tive by the quiet of his secret abode,
had caught sound they were unac-
customed to. 1t was only for a
moment he sat listening thus. The
door was secure and he had no fear
of intruders. Presently he went on
reading and the contents of the let
ter absorbed him once more.
Blu. his ears had served him truly.
Five minutes later he sprang to
his feet with a mutterd curse. Foot-
steps were approaching They be-
came distinctly audible, and were
swiftly followed by a loud knock
ing on the door. Hastily thrusting
his letter under the pile of blankets,
he answered the summons.
who's there?" he demanded,
while he unfastened the door AMI
flung it open.
you, Elwood?' he cried in aston
ishment, as the lamplight disclosed
the large figure of his visitor. Then,
his tone suddenly changing, Come
me out in this hole? Glad to see
you"
His greeting was intended to be
cordial, but there was a sharpness
in his voice which Jared and a
look in his black eyes which belied
the intention.
Ferman Elwooi stepped into the
room and nodded. His manner was
nothing unusual.
Il didn't have the least difficult
ty in finding you out" he said,
avoiding his hosts eyes. 'One of
my boys knew where you lived He
glanced round the room, and so
missed seeing Guys extended hand
"Ah! Won't you sit?'
Thanks"
Elwooi propped himself on the
cupboard. Guy sat on the pile of
blankets and pulled out his pipe.
Just for a second their eyes met.
In his quick, impetuous way Guy
scented unpleasantness. His thoughts
travelled rapidly. The first direction
they took was the letter he had
hidden in the blankets under him;
then they passed on to other mat
ters. 1t was he who shifted his