The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-09-05
A BELIEVER IN SIGNS.
BY HENDERSON WELSH.

| ~ Ao"h ieSadLy COupdny CudJ ne
would inspect Lowry farm on the fif-
teenth, but finding he could get away
on the first decided he would visit the
place without warning.
When he stepped from the train at
the little town he did not suspect that
Brown of Jones & Brown happened to
be on the depot platform at the time
nor that the latter parsonage read
with some alarm the name on the
strangers handbag.
Westcote had never been in this
community before, but the liveryman
assured him the place would be easy
to ind. All he needed to do was to
keep right on the WellsviIle road I'M
til he reached a big white house sur
rounded by tall lombardy poplars.
That was the Lowry farm.
Westcote did not know that Brown
had followed him to the livery barn,
and had heard announced his destina-
ton, and then had FASTENED to his
own rig and was then some distance
In advance and making good time.
Brown, however, was greatly per-
turbed in mind until, reaching an abb
rupt turn in the road where a lane
trailed off to the north, a brilliant
thought struck him. Climbing from
his buggy he mounted the fence
where the old signboard solemnly
pointed the way ITO Wellsville" and
with wrench swung it. SO it pointed
down the lane.
'There!" he announced to himself,
maybe that will hold him until
have time to get that Lowry girl out
of the way and get the papers signed.
Then let him come on.
When Westcote few minutes later
came to the altered signboard, he
turned obediently down the lane as in
dictated
That other road looks as if it went
to Wellsville, but 1 still believe in
signs; and this one points with such
confident, solemn air there is no
mistaking it, so here goes"
A half mile further on the lane
narrowed until two vehicles could pass
with difficulty, If at all.
What kind of a place can Wells
vile be if this be the kind of road
that leads to jt?" he muttered. 81
wonder what would happen if should
meet another team"
He had scarcely finished the thought
before he was face to face with that
very predicament. The lane dipped
into a forested hollow, and around
b
spring wagon.
Good morning!" he said gaily.
'WoHld you like to pass?
Il believe l would if it could be ar.
ranged"
Are you a stranger also in this
land of single track roads?"
No I'm a native as they say
down here"
Then perhaps you will tell me what
the custom is when people meet like
this. / suppose 1 should back to the
nearest switch, should l not?"
do you see that little gap just back
Of you? 1 believe you can back into
1t and by lifting the buggy around a
little can get turned the other way"
Eyes, believe l can do that If
succeed will l be facing the right
way to reach the Lowry farm"
'The Lowry farm! Why, that's our
place. 1 am Miss Lowry"
81 am Harry Westcote, here to in
spect the Lowry farm. 1 believe
Jones & Brown Realty company own
it now?"
Not yet. They have offered to buy
it and We will probably close the trade
in day or two"
What! So that's the deal, Ell!
How much are they offering you for
the placer"
The question surprised her, but the
look showed no impertinence was in,
tended.
Twelve hundred. You see it is not
very good land and now that father
is dead we are not able to make much
cut of it and we're glad to get their of.
fer
Miss Lowry" said Henry quickly,
Il came down here to buy that farm.
for I have found that it contains the
uCpOOlIo VI llOl OlC III Illia
country. l sent an engineer here to
investigate and on his report 1 have
agreed to pay $4,000 for it."
What" was all Miss Lowry could
get voice to say.
Another thing. II you accept this,
shall want to remain for a while and
oversee the development of the mines,
have no use for the house, and you
and your mother may retain that and
some Of the land near it If you will
board me while / am here"
1t took some repetition of this prop
osition before Miss Lowry could grasp
the reality of it all, but his sincerity
could not long be doubted. Quite as
difficult feat was the getting OF
Harry's buggy about, and by the time
it was accomplished good fellowship
had been firmly established.
When they came to the signboard
Harry pointed to it triumphantly
Nov you see was right about that
road. Read what that says"
We'll, of all things! That should
point the other way. Some wag has
changed that for a trick"
Perhaps, but it must have been an
inspired wag; and I'm firmer be
lfever than ever that luck comes from
following signs, aren't your"
Yes, indeed" she answered quick
ly. IF you had not met me this morn
ing, We might have sold the place
to Jones & Brown"
Within her heart she knew very
urnll IL was snrnnfhinp very different