The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-12
THE VAGABOND
BY PHILIP KEAN.

BY PHILIP KEAN.
Copyright, 1911, by the Associated
Literary Press.)
Balfour had intended to propose
before the days trial was over; but
his car stopped In the middle of a
dusty road. When he had tinkered
for half hour. and had brought no
results. he said TO the lady of his
heart
Il am afraid cannot do anything.
VIII you walk TO town with me, or
stay here alone %
1t looks SO hot" Louise respond
ed, lazily. and I am not afraid You
had better leave me here while YOU
go and hunt someone"
Well, at least, I'll move the car
where the shade viii make il cooler. -
said Balfour. Surely nothing can
happen To you while 7 am gone"
"of course not" Louise answered
she did NOT feel SO secure. however.
when her escort disappeared over
the hrim OF the hill. Leaning back
against her comfortable cushions. she
pondered over the situation 1t might
ba an hour two hours, before Bal
four came back. She was tired and
hungry. In a hamper strapped to
the side OF the ear there was food.
she was not sure, however, that she
should open 1t before Balfour came
back.
Suddenly she opened her ewes an "a
voice near her said, Can / be Of SER
vice %
A tall thin man in shabby clothes
stood close 10 the car. His hat was
off, and showed his hair curling close
about his white forehead.
No" Louise said ooIdly, there II
nothing You can do. Mr.. Balfour has
gone to town for assistance | expect
him back at any moment"
He was not rebuffed, however, by
her deelination Of his offer Il know
something of motors" he said. Pre-
haps / might help out"
He made an examination deity
and found and repaired the trouble.
If You will let me. / will drive you
to town" he said
"oh. no." Louise said. II had bet
ter watt
The vagabond looked IN at the
sky ITS going TO rain
In the west the clouds were black.
shelter"
Louise looked at him steadily.
Where would sou. take uae 90 she
asked.
You need not be afraid" he said.
'If you please then" she con-
sented, you may drive me-"
Before they had gone half mile
the rain was upon them, flashing In
at all sides.
There's an old barn at the end
of this lane" the vagabond- said. Il
passed ii this morning. We might
make a run for it,
AS they gained the shelter the
storm burst in all its fury.
Well" said Louise, resignediy, 81
don't know whether anybody win
you could make a run for ii and get
the hamper. We could have our
lunch"
He brought the big basket back
and they sat in the open door and
ate OF the good things.
Louise noticed that her companion
had the manners OF gentleman
Her curiosity getting the better of
her, she asked; "How--does 1t happen
that you are heree''
II like it," he said. Then he lean
ed toward her and sang to an air OF
Schubert's:
"'Give to me the life I love.
Let the lave go By me,
Give the jolly heaven above
And the byway nigh me.
Bed in the bush with stars to see
Bread I dip In the river
There is the life for man like me,
There the life forever"
you have not always lived like
this she said
NO: back in my boyhood there
were school and college. and some
years of study for profession. But
] couldn't stand it am a rover by
nature"
He spoke Of his travels after that,
and she listened, fascinated. Balfour
ed OF himself. while this man talked OF
places, Of theories.
When the storm had passed, they
met Balfour struggling back over a
muddy road. He eyed the Vagabond
with suspicion. and glared at Louise,
when at parting she asked her road
side acquaintance to como and see her
Hes a tramp" said Balfour, stern
ly
Tie isn't" said LOUISE
She was sure that he had been mas
querading when he called upon her
several days later, Immediately ar
ever. she accused him. ne shook his
head. Now and then I take to the
road" he said. II was not made to
stay In one place."
He came often, and as the months
went on Louise found herself torn by
conflicting emotions. Balfour had Of
fered her his hand ana fortune. Louise