Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-26
. THE BROAD HIGHWAY "a
Adventure and Spirit
BY JEFFERY FARNOL

CHAPTER XLII-(Concludedl.

1AAAH &NAaAA-AlOnNluNtuls
"IIBRE are all the things you left be-
IL hind you when you set out to-dig,
and-egadl-makey your fortune. couldn't
let 'em go with the rest-so 1-er-had 'em
brought here, to-er-to keep them Tor
you-ready for the time when you should
grow tired OF digging, and come back
| to me, and-er-oh. dammitl-you under
standard Grainger's waiting to see you
in the library-been there three hours-so
dress yourself In Heavens name, dress
yourselfl' he cried. and hurried from the
room.
II was with n certain satisfaction that
I once more donned buckskin and spurred
boots and noticed moreover how tight
my coat was become across the shoul-
ders; yet I dressed hastily for my mind
was already on the road, galloping TO
CHAIRMAN.
In the library I found Sir Richard and
Mr.. Granger, who greeted me with his
precise little bow.
II have to congratulate you, Sir Peter"
he began, mot only on your distin-
guished marriage and accession to for
tune. but upon the fact that the-ah-un-
pleasantness connecting certain Peter
Smith with your unfortunate cousins
by means OF the murderer's written con-
fession, placed in my hands some days
ago by the Lady Sofia"
"A written confesson--and she brought
II to your
"Galloped all the way from Tonbridge,
by Gadr nodded Sir Richard.
"It seems" pursued Mr.. Granger,
that the-ah-man, John Strickland, by
name. lodged with a certain preacher, to
whom, in Lady Nibarts presence, he
confessed his crime, and willingly wrote
out a deposition to that effect. 1t also
appears that the man, sick though he
was, wandered from the preachers cot
tage, and was eventually found upon the
road, and now lies in Maidstone gaol, in
a dying condition"
CHANGING, presently, to look from the
window, / beheld n groom who led n
horse up and down before the door; and
the groom was Adam, and the horse
I opened the window. and, leaning out,
called a name. At the sound of my voice
the man smiled and touched his hat, and
the mare ceased her paving and chafing.
and turned upon me n pair of great, soft
eyes, and snuffed the air and whinnied.
So / leapt out of the window and down
the steps, and thus 1t was that met
wings"
"She be in the pink o. condition. sir"
said Adam proudly; "Sir Richard bought
'er-" .....-
For a songw added the baronet, who,
with Mr.. Granger, had followed to bid
me good-by. II really got her remark
ably cheap he explained, thrusting his
fists deep into his pockets and frowning
down my thanks. But, when l had
swung myself into the saddle he came
and laid his hand upon my knee
''You are going to-fnd her, Peter?"
"Ycs, sir"
"And you know-where to look?"
'I think So"
Because, IL you don't-I might"
"I shall go to a certain cottage" said
/ tentatively. .
"Then you'd better go, boy-the mares
all excitement-good-by Peter-and cut
ting up my gravel most damnably-good
byr" So saying, he reached up and
gripped my hand very hard and stared
at me also very hard, though the tears
stood in his eyes. II always felt very
fatherly toward you, Peter - and - you
won't forget the lonely old man-come
and see me now and then-both of you,
for it does get damnebly lonely here
sometimes, and oh, curse It Good-by!
dear lad" So he turned and walked mp
the steps into his great, lonely" h6nse!uo'
80 Wings! with thy. slender grace, and
trelcss strength If ever thou didst gall
Iop before, do thy best today! Spurn,
spurn the dust meath thy fleet hoofs,