The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-02-21

tieularly as the chance of its contain
ing valuable Information WAS so re-
mote Mrs. Beasley went into the
house to dress for the ride The
schoolmistress went with her as far as
the sitting room The perturbed Bal
ley stalked off, muttering. to the black
smiths
In little while he returned. leading
Henry by the bride. Debby. adorned
with the bef1owered bonnet she had
worn when she arrived at the Cy
Whitaker place and with black cloth
cape over her lean shoulders. was wait
ing for him by the open door of the
barn The cape had a fur collar, "cat
fur" so Mr.. Bangs said afterward in
describing it.
pull the sulky right outr' command
ed the widow.
Bailey stared into the black interior
of the barn
(Which is it?'' he shouted.
Mrs. Beasley pointed with her ear
trumpet
"Why. that one there, Of course
Tother's a truck cart You wouldn't
expect me to ride in that. would your"
Mr. Bangs entered the barn. seized
the vehicle indicated by the shafts and
drew it out into the yard. He inspect
ed it deliberately and then sat weakly
down on the chopping block near by.
Apparently he was overcome by emo
ton.
The "sulky" bequeathed by the late
doctor had been built to order for its
former owner. 1t was Of the carry
ALP variety, except that it had but a
single narrow seat. Its top was
square and was curtained, the curtains
being tighL-. buttoned down. Alto
gether Il was something of curiosity
Miss Dawes, who had come out to see
the start, looked at the "sulky," then
at Mr.. Bangs face and turned her
back Her shoulders shook.
ut used to be a real nice carriage
when Ezra had it." commented the
Wldow admiringly st needs lin and
sprucin' up now. but guess twill do.
Conner to Bailey, who had not risen
from the chopping block. Hurry up
and harness or we'll never get started.
Thought you wanted to get back for
dinnerY'
Mr. Bangs stood up and heaved a
sigh
81 did" he answered slowly. but"
with a glance at the sulky, ''somethin'
seems to have took away my appetite
Teacher, do you mean to-
But Miss Dawes had withdrawn to
the corner of the house, from which
viewpoint she seemed to be inspecting
the surrounding landscape. Bailey
seized Henry by the bride and back
ed him into the shafts.
Back upr' he roared. Back up,
tell you! You needn't look at me that
way" he added In lower tone 81
can't help it. You amt any worse
ashamed than l am. Therel The ark's
of the ways. All aboardw
Turning to the expectant widow. he
boosted her. not too tenderly. up to
the narrow seat. Then he climbed in
himself. Two on that seat made a
tight fit. Bailey took up the reins.
Debby leaned forward and peered
around the edge Of the curtains.
you" she shouted. You. Miss
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.! Come here
a minute want to tell you some
thin"
The schoolmistress. her face red and
her eyes moist, approached.
II just wanted to say" explained
Debby, that I amt real sure as that
diary's there. burnt up lot Of my
old letters and things a spell ago. and
too, but maybe that want one Of 'em.
Anyhow. can get them Arizona pa
pers, and ] do want you to see 'em.
They're the most interestin' things
Now" she added, turning to her COM
panton on the seat, you can git dap
just as soon as you want to-"
Once out on the open road the sulky
received the full force of the wind
Mrs. Beasley clutched her drivers
arm 49,
Another gust tilted the carriage top
Debby clutched the arm still tighter.
why, It blows awful hard!" she
cried. "rd no idee it blew like this"
want to bout ship and go home
agin?' whooped Bailey hopefully.
mo. mol" she answered II guess
If you folks come all the way from
Bayport can stand 1t as fur's the
Center. But hurry all you can. won't
your I'm kind Of 'fraid Of the
springs"
The widows stop at the Atwood
house. which was In the immediate
rear Of the Atwood store. was Of
half hours duration. Bailey refused
to leave the seat Of the sulky and sat
there, speaking to no one, not even
replying to the questions Of q group
Of loungers who gathered to inspect
the ancient vehicle and protested to
be In doubt as to whether 1t had been
washed in with the tide or been "left''
TO him in a will. -