The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-08
CCoutinued.)
CHAPTER n.

TlHERE are two antiques" In
 Bayport which have not yet
 been sold or even bid for. One - is Gabe Lumley's depot wRg- on." and the other is "Dan1 Web ster," the horse which draws it. Both are very ancient, sadly in need of up- hoStery and 1erky of locomot1on-
 Gabe was. as usual. waiting at the station when the down train arrived on the Tuesday or Wednesday of the selectmen's meeting. The train was due. according to the time table. at HAS. A cloud of white smoke bil- lowed above the clump of cedars at the bend of the track Then the loco motive rounded the curve and bore down upon the station
 The conductor stepped from the pas senger coach Following him came brfskly a short. thickset man with a reddish gray beard and grayish red hair
 "Goin' down to the village, mister?'' inquired MT. Lumley. Carriage right here"
 the depot wagon, inspected him delib- erately from top to toe. Then he said:
 Down to the village? Why, yes, I wouldn't wonder. Say. you're a Lum- ley. ain't you?'
 why. why-yes, bel How'd you know that2 Ain't ever seen you afore, have I?''
 Guess not" with a quiet chuckle I've never seen you either, but I've seen your nose. I'd know a Lumley nose if run across it in China.''
 The possessor of the ''Lumley nose'' rubbed that organ in a bewildered fashion Recovering in a measure, he laughed rather half heartedly and begged to knowrff the trunk, then be Ing unloaded from the baggage car, be- longed to his prospective passenger. As the answer was an affirmative nod, be secured the trunk check and de parted. still rubbing his nose
 When he returned with the trunk on The truck the stranger sprang into the
 sot wagon with a bounce that made the old vehicle rock on its springs.
 ''JerushyF' he exclaimed 'She rolls some, don't she? Never mind; my bal- last 'n keep her on an even keel Trunk made fast astern2 All right Say. you might furl some of this spare canvas so's can take an observation as we go along Don't go so fast that the scenery gets blurred, will you? It's been some time since I made this cruise. and I'd rather like to keep a lookout"
 The driver "furIed the canvas"-that is. he rolled up the curtains at the sides of the carryaIl. Then he climbed to the front seat and took up the reins.
 '-Git upI" he shouted savagely. Dan1 pricked up one ear, then hoof, and slowly got under way As the equipage passed the Baker homestead
 
 the gate. staring at the occupant of the wagon. The stare was returned.
 "who lives tn there?" demanded the stranger. "FWho are those folksT'
 "Ceph Bakers tribe.' was the sullen answer.
 Baker. hey7 HumphI New folks, I presume likely. Used to be Seth Shows house. that did. Where'd Seth go toT'
 Gabe grunted that he did not know. He believed Mr. Snow was dead, had lied years before.
 .HumphI Dead. heyf Then know where be went"
 Finally the newcomer leaned from the carriage and gazed steadily up the slope ahead And his gaze, strange to say, was not directed at the i'm posing Atkins estate, but at it's op- NJO@AAE AG4&100AS NAG OA0 NJ w AALb1ASB place
 Slowly. laboriously, DanT Webster mounted the hill. At the crest he would have paused to take breath, but the driver would not let him.
 'Gft along, youI" he commanded, Tapping the reins.
 And then Mfr. Lunley suffered the Bhock of 6 surprise. The hitherto cool and self possessed occupant of the rear seat seemed very much ex- cited His big red hand clasped MT. Lumley's over the -reins, and Dan1 was brought to an abrupt standstin.
 "Heave top he ordered sharply. and The tone was that of one who has giv- en many orders and expects them to be obeyed "Belayi Whoa, therei Great land of love, look at thati Look at Itl Who did that7''
 The mate to the big red hand point cd to the front door of the Whitaker place. Gabe was alarmed
 "Done what? Done whichY' he gasped. What you talkin' about? There ain't nobody lives in there. That house has been empty for''-
 Where's the front fencer' demand cd the excited passenger. Whats be- come of the hedge? And who put up that-that darned pdazza2"
 The piazza had been where it now was almost since MT. Lumley could remember. He hastened to reply that he didn't know; he wasn't sure; he presumed likely twas them New Hampshire Howeses'' when they ran . summer boarding house.
 The stranger drew a long breath ~Wen, of all the''- he began. Then he chcked. hesitated and ordered his driver to heave ahead and run along side the hotel as quick as the Almighty would let him Gabe hssteped to obey.
 Mrs. Bangs opened the door of the perfect boarding house and stood ma 1est1calIy waiting to receive the pro- Bpecf1ve guest. Over her shoulders %S.-