The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-22

- impossible for him to be Mrs. Beasley's charioteer was a credit to the resources of his invention. The blacksmith might be back any min ute; it was dinner time, and he was hungry; Henry, the horse, was tired; it wasn't a nice day for riding and he would come over some other time and take the widow out: he But Debby had a conclusive answer for each protest.
 "You said yourself the blacksmith wouldn't be back for an hour," she ob- served. And you can leave word with the boy what he's to do when he does come. AS for dinner, I'll be real glad to give you and Miss Dorcas a snack soon's we get back. I don't mind if it ain't pleasant day. A little fresh air'n do me good. I been shut up here housecleanin' ever since got back from out west Now hurry right along and fetch your horse. I'll un- lock the barn.
 "But Mrs. Beasley," put in the schoolm1stress, ''why couldn't you give us note to Mrs. Atwood and let us stop for the diary on our way home? could return 1t to you by mail, or you might get it yourself some other day and mail 1t to me"
 ''No, no! Never put of till tonor- Ter what you can do today. My hus- band was a great hand to put of. and put off For the last eight years of his life I was at him to buy a new go-to-meetin' suit of clothes. The one he had was blue to start with, but 1t faded to a brown, and toward the last of it I declare if it didn't com mence to turn green Nothin' I. could say would make him heave 1t away even then; seemed to think more of it than ever; said he wanted to hang to 1t a spell and see what 'twould turn next But he died and was laid out in that same suit, and was so mort- ded at the funeral I couldn't think of nothin' else. No; I'll go after them papers and the diary while they're fresh in my mind. And, besides. do you s'pose I'd let Sarah Ann Atwood rummage through my trunks? guess not!''
 Phoebe began to be sorry she had thought of sending for the diary, par ticuiarly as the chance of it's contain ing valuable information was so re- mote. Mrs. Beasley went into the house to dress for the ride. The schoofmistress went with her as far as the sitting room. The perturbed Bai- ley sta1ked off, muttering, to the black smiths.
 In a little while he returned, leading Henry by the bridle. Debby, adorned with the be1owered bonnet she had worn when she arrived at the Cy Whitaker place and with a black cloth cape over her lean shoulders, was wait ing for him by the open door of the barn. The cape had fur collar, t'cat fur" so MT. Bangs said afterward in describing it.
 Pull the sulky right outi" command ed the widow.
 Bailey stared into the black interior of the barn.
 (Which is tt3" he shouted.
 Mrs. Beasley pointed with her ear trumpet
 'sWhy, that one there, of course. T"other's a truck cart. You wouldn't expect me to ride in that, would you ?'' MT. Bangs entered the barn, seized the vehicle indicated by the shafts and drew it out into the yard. He inspect ed 1t deliberately and then sat weakly down on the chopping block near by. Apparently he was overcome by emo tion
 The "su1ky" bequeathed by the late doctor had been built to order for it's former owner. It was of the ~carry- alp' variety, except that it had but a single narrow seat. Its top was square and was -curtained, the curtains being tightly buttoned down. Alto getfler it was something of curiosity. Miss Dawes, who had come out to see the start, looked at the 'ssulky,'' then at MT. Bangs face and turned her back Her shoulders shook.
 'eIt used to be real nice carriage A. AE.- widow admiringly 'Tt needs Hiu' and sprucin' up now. but I guess twill do ComeP' to Bailey, who had not risen from the chopping block. Hurry up and harness or we'll never get started. Thought you wanted to get back for dinner?''
 MT. Bangs stood up and heaved a sigh.
 CT did," he answered slowly, 'sbut,'' with glance at the sulky. "somethin' seems to have took away my appetite. Teacher, do you mean to-
 But Miss Dawes had withdrawn to the corner of the house, from which viewpoint she seemed to be inspecting the surrounding landscape. Bailey seized Henry by the brtdle and back ed him into the shafts.
 Pack upG' he roared. ''Back up, tell you! You needn't look at me that way,'' he added in a lower tone. sI can't help it. You ain't any worse ashamed than am. There! The ark's off the ways. All aboardI''
 Turning to the expectant widow, he 'eboosted' her, not too tenderly, up to the narrow seat. Then he climbed in himself. Two on that seat made a tight at. Bailey took up the reins. Debby leaned forward and peered around the edge of the curtains.
 Your she shouted. You, Miss What's-y your-name-Dorcas! Come here a minute want to tell you some thin'.''
 The schoo1mistress. her face red and l her eyes moist. approached. To be Contfnued.)