Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1912-12-10
HOUSE AT CROssROAD
Priscilla Found Lots Of Friends
at Cid Home.
BY MARIE n. WHITING.

barely reached middle age, but the
years had not passed by her lightly, and
the lines OF her countenancein dicated a
temper not swoetening with the seas
ons As If shaking the dust of travel
forever from her feet, she stepped
briskly to the station door and looked
about her.
1t was not a pleasing prospect-the
low. one.room building, and about IT,
fields burned dull brown, while to
the south, the road leading to the
village shimmered In the summer
heat At the lower end of the plat
form was a carryall, harnessed to a
white horse. The driver. thin, wiry
man in blue overalls. met the new
comer's stare uneasily.
BE you Miss Baxter?" he asked
doubtfully.
"'Tain't written on me anywhere,
is it7" she returned
Il dunno but what tits written on
your face. The Bakers all have a
look alike. II you're Fannie Baxter
I'll drive you right down to the cross
roads. came down a-purpose for
that"
Some folks never know their bust
ness. Do you think you are here to
meet met" she returned.
I've been here every day for two
weeks. She asked me to. You just
make yourself comfortable and I'll
hand your trunk over"
srnEfrS 49,. A1-gk x.,ho Iaff
Of It," she called after him, as she
climbed stiffly into the back seat II
reckon Frances is as good name as
Fannie" she said to herself. "and If she
don't get around to ride In her own
carryall she must expect somebody
else Will"
AS they logged slowly down the
dusty road, Miss Baxter closed her
eyes and tried to rest. Her journey
half way across the continent had
left her nearly exhausted. and she
was too weary to try to understand
the drivers chatter.
VIII you stop talking nonsense and
drive me to respectable boarding
placer" she asked
Mr.. Slocum threw the reins over
the dashboard and turned about with
an injured air. This is free ride
he said with some dignity. "I'm do
ing 1t for her sake, and for her sake
won't take you further'n this house
for any amount of money"
II reckon we've got a weary spell
of sitting, then" and Miss Baxter
leaned back on the faded cushions, as
II prepared to wait the day of judg-
ment.
You're welcome to It," said Mr.
Slocum, making himself comfortable
on the front seat.
AS the afternoon shadows grew
longer, Miss Baxter had plenty Of
time to survey the house. 1t seemed
to her that she had never seen SC
pretty a cottage 1t surely was
shame to have It idle. To find a place
like that for herself had been her
dream coming east. II only she dared
but Mr. Slocums voice interrupted
her thoughts.
Here comes the minister down the
road. l know his colt. Suppose we
leave this difference to him. II he
says stay, why you get out, and If he
says drive on, I'll take you wherever
you want to 60"
I'm willing" agreed Miss Baxter.
TT does seem a pity for likely place
to go to ruin, standing empty"
AS the roam came nearer, Miss Bax-
ter sat up very primly. At last, she
told herself, her assertion that she
had no right to the house would be
regarded, but to her surprise the min
lister answered slowly; "Sister Baxter
your feelings do you credit, but holy
people at their death have Visions
and she said you'd surely come. She
wanted It above all earthly things
The whole village will be glad you've
taken the house"
Miss Baxter had never been dishon-
est but the allurement of the cottage
was strong upon her. For a moment
she hesitated. then she stepped brisk
out of the carryall 'T tell you what
I'll do" she said. Il hate to see
things going to ruin and I'll live in
lnO nOubc anu hSCp tAlC PAdOC up III
pay a fair rent to the minister and he
can put it in the bank against the day
when he thinks / have no right here
AS long as stay, / am to be let alone
and no questions asked"
IF you are as honest as that, you
must be some like her after all"
commented Mr.. Slocum. but amt It
a queer idea about the money!"
when l make bargain l mean 1t,
questions and all Does every one In
Prattville talk all the time? You can
fetch my trunk right in; I'll say good
evening to you BOTH" and the two
men were left alone. a trihe bewild-
cred by the turn affairs had taken,
Within the house, Miss Baxter went
slowly from room to room. Surely