Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-01-23
IT'S AN I'LL WIND"


to remain a member OF the exclusive
Back Bay set, with but two years Of
life to his credit, than to spend an
eternity alone in "the land that God
forgot"
With each revolution Of the wheels
which bore him away from his inter-
ests his hatred for the desolate coun-
try increased, and by the time he
reached Prescott he hadn't civil an
swer for any one unfortunate enough
to address him.
Several "Biddy Friendlies" (who
occupied the sections adjacent to
his) tried to become "chummy,@ but
when he stared absent-mindedly at
the landscape, totally ignoring their
witty remarks, they pronounced him
sphinx" and let him alone.
He reached his destination in the
gray dawn, and was welcomed by
William Benton, the engineer from
his fathers mine, located at Lost
Creek, twelve miles south Of Pres
colt.
Stephen climbed into the stage,
and during the drive gave monosyl-
Liable answers to Mr.. Benton's many
questions. He remembered but two
facts of the worthy gentleman's
conversation-namely, that a cabin
had been built for him high up on
the ridge and that he would have to
cook his own meals until some one
could be found to do it for him.
The next morning found him in
stalled in his hermitage, and rebel
! lion more bitter than NORWOOD
gnawed at his heartstrings. What
pleasure remained in life separated
from all that made it worth while?
His career was ended! He realized
this when he turned the key in his
office door. Obviously fate meant to
torture him with loneliness until
life became unbearable, and he would
welcome the journeys end.
Two months after his arrival he
stood at the door of his cabin and
watched the menacing gray-black
pail of clouds as it rose like heavy
smoke from behind the snow-cowled
peaks. Thunder beloved and light
ming zigzagged across the heavens,
while the wind dashed the patriarchal
trees until they groaned.
With this first storm came a more
forceful realization of his isolation.
Then fate spun another thread and
Stephens future was changed. Dur
ing a brief lull of the tumult he
heard the whinny of a horse and i'm
pulsiyely answered with the WHO'D
WHO'D call so frequently used in that
country.
Then he started down the trail,
and, aided by a vivid flash Of light
ming, discovered a girl astride a
horse For a minute they gazed
speechless at one another, and then
the girl stammered, "I-I-think
have lost my way, or does this trail
lead ITO Lost Greek ?"
"No; you should have taken the
other road two miles down the noun
tain. This leads to my cabin, no
further" Just then a few rain
drops, the advance guard of the tenn
pest, fell as warning, and Stephen
realized the full extent of her plight.
'You must dismount and we will
make for my cabin"
Grasping the horses bride, he
led the way, the girl following with
out comment. They entered the
cabin and Stephen lit the lamp, then
threw another log on the fire. The
rain descended in torrents, beating
against the door like frenZied fiend.
,, The girl shivered. "You cannot
imagine how relieved l was to hear
your call. felt instinctiyely that
this was the wrong trail, yet hoped
for familiar landmark to guide me.
You see, / teach school on the ridge
and live at Prescott. When Harry
and | started for home the storm
advanced SO rapidly / knew VIC
couldn't make it, so decided TO stay
with Mrs. Benton at Lost Creek.
Thank you so much for giving US
shelter"
During the narrative Stephen had
ample time to note that his guest
xuoo nroFft, ,,afffo onI t,k..,-t...1.