The Red Cloud chief., 1911-11-30

the fiat punctured tire of his autOmo-
bile and then around at the thickly
wooded section in which he was
stranded.
The road ran through tall woods and
all along its length 1t was perfect for
motoring: Laurence had never been
on the Cross highway before and he
had been an ardent admirer of the
quaint little villages and picturesque
farm houses scattered through this
New England country. Once In q
while he came upon the river and
crossed II through echoing covered
bridges. He had Just passed through
the wood when q tire burst beyond all
repair. Laurence slipped It on and
applied tho emergency tire he had
carried and had barely gone another
hundred yards when a rear tire ex'
ploded loudly. ruinously.
Talk about disasters at seal"
grumbled Laurence as he pushed the
light roadster into an open space
among the trees beside the road and
gathered branches Of autumn leaves
to heap over It until It was quite hid.
den under October foliage. III ever
a mariner was marooned at sea-this
landlubber is wrecked on dry land! ]
wonder how many miles from civilixa-
ton I am?"
He pulled out his road map and
studies It closely. -Four miles to
repair shop-whew!" He pocketed
the map and tucked his long dust
coat into q locker with his heavy fur
coat. and with cap tilted on the back
OF bis head set forth to tramp the
four miles into the next village. Mel.
ton.
At last he emerged from the woods
into . more open country and there.
temptingly ON his right hand lay .
long. low. white.painted farm house
whose great square chimneys denoted
hospitality a. we'll a. did the roomy
front porch furnished with comfort.
able chairs and tables. Laurence could
see large barns In tho distance and
on rolling meadows in the background
Iwero dotted dozen COWS.
| THAT looks like glasses Of butter
milk and hunks Of cold Johnny cake. "
murmured Laurence wistfully looking
backward as he passed the place.
A quaint signboard swinging from a
tall elm tree near the gate arrested
his attention and sent his feet speed
ing in the opposite direction and up
the path to the inviting front porch.
Refreshments Served to Travellers.
II stated plainly.
Laurence lifed the polished brass
knocker and made known his pres
ence there.
Light. footsteps sounded and there
was the click Of high heeled shoes
on bare polished floors and the dool
swung open revealing girl clothed
in q chine blue pinaiore that envelop
er her from neck to heels. She wal
. pretty girl-nay . beautiful girl
with mist Of fine dark hair breaking
into tendrils around her rose.tintet
face and with delicately arched blacl
brows above large hazel eyes. There
was . dab of -four on her nose o.
which she appeared unconscious. Sh,
looked inquiringly at Laurence. for q
absorbed was he In contemplating th'
charming vision OF her that he auitl
forgot his errand.
He whipped on his cap and stuffet
It In his pocket. Good afternoon
-er have had q breakdown with m!
car back here In the woods and ! an
on my way to Melton for q mechanic
I happened to be mighty hungry ant
! saw your signboard--so came righ
IN. Is that right?"
Certainly" said the girl gravely
''If you will sit down In the porch
will bring you whatever you wish. !
is 80 warm and sunny out there peo
pie seem to prefer It. but II you't
rather we have q room inside"
"Out here by all MEANS" protested
Laurence dropping gratefully into Z
comfortable rocking chair. II dream
ed of buttermilk and cold Johnny
cake" he smiled.
"Your dream will be realized. only
the Johnny cake is hot from tn,
oven-I have just made It." Sh,
flashed out and in. the door agail
leaving In his hand q small card OF
which was set forth list Of viandl
served at Elm Farm. The handwrit
ing was angular and the Ink was o
old.fashioned violet hue.
Laurence ate his hot Johnny cak,
and drank glass after glass OF COLI
buttermilk In addition to various 9th
er delectable viands. all served by tn,
beautiful girl In the blue pinafore. Sh,
went about the business Of servinl
him with a quiet gravity that charme,
him, He could have remained hour
and would willingly have eaten u
and down the bill OF fare severa
times over II he had not feared th'
grave inquiry OF her eyes
"She must think I'm glutton." b.