The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-08-14

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 alb
rupt turn in the road where a lane
trailed of to the north. a brilliant
thought struck him. Climbing from
his buggy he mounted the fence
where the old signboard solemnly
pointed the way TO Wellsville" and
with wrench swung it so it pointed
down the lane
There, he announced to himself.
maybe that will hold him until |
nave 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 1t went
to Wensyille. but | still believe in
signs; and this one points with such
a 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 it?" he muttered. Il
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 forested hollow, and around a
curve came a team attached to a
spring wagon. Each driver stopped
and surveyed the other. Each also
smiled cheeriy and they exchanged
greetings.
Good morning" he said gaily.
Would you like to pass?"
Il believe l would if 1t could be ar
ranged"
Are you stranger also in this
land Of single track roads"
No, I'm native, as they say
down here
Then perhaps you w
the custom is when
this suppose | sh
n S''f-es't sw'l~h 49, NO.
DO you see that lit. gap Just back
of you? believe you can back into
it and by lifting the buggy around
little can get turned the other way"
Yes, believe can do that II
succeed will be facing the right
way TO reach the Lowry farm"
The Lowry farm! Why, that's our
place. am Miss Lowry"
Il am Harry Westcote. here to in
spect the Lowry farm. believe
Jones < Brown Realty company own
it now"
Not yet They have offered to buy
it and We will probably close the trade
in a day or two"
What SO that's the deal, Ell?
How much are they Offering you for
the place."
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
out of it and were glad to get their of
fer"
Miss Lowry" said Henry quickly,
Il came down here to buy that farm,
for have found that it contains the
richest deposits of iron ore IN this
country. | sent an engineer here to
investigate and on his report | have
agreed to pay $4,000 for it, We tried
to keep it all quiet Jones & Brown
pretended to own it, They must be
scoundrels and are trying to beat you
out Of a small fortune. If you are the
owner | shall deal with you instead
make you the same offer"
What" was all Miss Lowry could
get voice TO say
Another thing. II you accept this
SHdli want ~ remain lOl d willie anu
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 1t all, but his sincerity
could not long be doubted. Quite as
difficult feat was the getting of
Harrys 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.
Now 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 mist have been an
inspired wag; and I'm firmer be
lever than ever that luck comes from
following signs, aren't you?''
Yes, indeed" she answered quick
~. If you had not met me this morn
ing, We might have sold the place
to Jones & Brown"
Within her heart she knew very
well it was something very different
that he had meant; and she also
knew it was to that something diff
ferent" that her heart responded