Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1912-12-28
HOUSE AT CROssROAD
Priscilla Found Lots Of Friends
at Old Home.
by MARIE p. WHITING.

obcppeu OUT on the rear platform as III
eager to finish her Journey. She had
barely reached middle age, but the
years had not passed by her lightly, and
the lines Of her countenanceindicate a
temper not sweetening with the seas
ons- As II shaking the dust of travel
forever from her feet. she stepped
briskly to the station door and looked
about her.
II was not pleasing prospect-the
low, one-room building. and about It,
Holds burned a 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 q
white horse. The driver, thin. wiry
man in blue overaiis. met the new
oouacr's stare unsasily.
BE you Miss BaxtSsf- he asked
6oAbtfulIy.
'Tsin't written on mo anywhere.
n III" sA4 returned
I dunno but what tbs wYitteu on
yoar face The Baxters ali have a
look alike. II you're Fannie Baxter,
I'll drive you right down 10 the cross
roads. I came down a-pxpose for
that"
Some folks never know their busi-
nsas- Do you think you ara hare TO
meet mef" 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"
Mind you don't smash what's left
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 IL sha
don't get around to ride In : own
carryall she must expect SOMEBODY
elae 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.
"Will 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 a free ride"
he said with some dignity. "Tm 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 weary spell
of sitting, then" and Miss Baxter
leaned back on the faded cushions, as
If 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 so
pretty a cottage. 1t surely was a
shame to have 1t idle. To find place
like that for herself had been her
dream coming east. If only she dared
but Mr. Slocum's voice interrupted
her thoughts.
Here comes the minister down the
road. / know his colt. Suppose we
leave this difference to him. If he
says stay, why you get out, and If he
says drive on, I'll take you wherever
you want to CO."
'I'm willing" agreed Miss Baxter !
1T does seem a pity for likely place |
% 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
ster answered slowly: Sister Baxter.
your feelings do you credit, but holy
people at their death have visions.
md she said you'd surely come. She
wanted it above all earthly things.
The whole village will be glad you've
AIKEN the house."
Miss Baxter had never been dishon-
sst but the allurement Of the cottage
vas strong upon her For a moment
he hesitated, then she stepped brisk
tut Of the carryall Il tell you what
II do" she said Il hate to see
hings going to ruin and III live In
he house and keep the place up I'll
Jay fair rent to the minister and he
an put 1t in the bank against the day
Vhen ne thinks have no right here.
IS long as / stay / am to be let alone
nd no questions asked"
IF you are as honest as that you
lust be some like her after all"
ommented Mr.. Slocum. but amt It
queer idea about the money!"
When ] make bargain l mean II.
uestiong and all Does every one In
rattvilie talk all the time? You can
'tch my trunk right m; III say good
Vening to you BOTH" and the two
len were left alone, a trifie bewild-
ed by the turn affairs had taken.
/