The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-24
CHAPTER XVII. Mail Day.

CHAPTER XVII.
 Mail Day.
 It was mail day. Kellerman's store in Mafeking had quite busy ap- pearance. People gathered about the doorway, lounging, chatting, and, in cidentally, watching the road in the farm.
 They were waiting for the post cart, the arrival of which was all ways an event in their lives. If il brought them no letters from distant homes, it, at least, brought them news of the world, and, to these peo- existence; it was the link that kept them in touch with the civilization they had renounced. It was the life line that held them safe from the drifting currents flowing towards the shoals of darkness and savagery be- yond.
 Once a week this gathering occur red; once week the longing eyes watched the same road at the same point; once a week the lighter spirit of pleasant anticipation stirred hearts that were mostly dulled by the mono tonous struggle of joyless life; once week thoughts of distant homes, oi parents and relations, freed the ima' gination and co4jured happy visions It was a pleasant interlude which few of the frontier folk would have foregone, although the majority were perfectly aware that it was mere sentimentality that prompted them pleasant shade in which to rest from their labors in the blistering daylight of arduous lives.
 Guy Chalmer was there, but it wa: doubtful if anything of this homins spirit touched him. He was not there for the mails, he was not there fol news; yet he was there for a very definite purpose, and his object kep1 his keen eyes upon the road, and il the same direction as the eyes o1 those others.
 Mrs. Verricker had just come uT from the location and joined a small group Of other women. Mrs. Keller man and the wife of Reuben Isaacs who did the butchering for the set. clement, were amongst these. The. were the two principal women of the place. next to Mary Elwood and the missionary's wife. The others were Afrikanders and half-castes, some oi them from various parts of the south, ern colony, and others bred in the settlement. They met on a common ground on mail day, and theil healthful, cheerful faces displayed their enjoyment of the opportunity The men stood apart. Kellerman ant Isaacs led here as their wives lei amongst the women.
 Guy Chalmer held aloof from ev erybody. He had nothing in common with these people. His residence a the Roof Grond brought him into contact with them, but that was all He was sitting on the long bench tha surroundings. indifferent to nil bu his own thoughts, which were fal from cheerful.
 He saw nothing of the furtiv, giances of the group of women tha found their way in his direction. H, heard nothing of the talk amongs the men. Had he been less absorbed he might have heard his name men toned, or detected the unfriendlines in some of the women's eyes.
 The post-cart was late. This wa. prolonged the pleasure os anricipa tion.
 Suddenly Guy rose from his sea and moved slowly away along tin, road. His movement was simultane ous with the appearance of Fermai Elwood leaving the stoep of hi house. He went to meet him, ant as he moved off meaning smiles wer exchanged amongst the women. Onl, in the shrewd eyes of the missionary wife there was no smile. Hers wer sparkling with an indignation whicl was as much for Elwood as for tn departing man.
 The two men met while Elwoo, was still barely hundred yards iron his house. He had seen Guy coming now and again to scan the horizon in the direction whence the post-car would appear. Nor was his reasol