The Ozark spectator., 1916-09-01


 ing over the distant trees. After Scot land, the air smelled heavy and flat, but infinitely sweet, for the lines and chestnutS and lilac bushes were domes of blossom.
 Presently l came to a bridge, below which a clear, slow stream flowed be- tween snowy beds of water butter cups.
 \ little above it was a mill. and the lasher made a pleasant, cool sound in the scented dusk. Somehow the place Eoothed me and put me at my ease. fell to whistllng as 1 looked into the green depths, and the tune which cane to my lips was Annie Laurie
 A fisherman came up from the wa terside, and as he neared he, too, be- gan to whistle. The tune was infec tious, for he followed my suit He was a huge man In untidy old f1annels and wide hrimmed hat. with 6 can vas bag sung on his shoulder.
 He nodded to me. and l thought l had never seen Shrewder or better tempered face. He leaned his delicate ten foot split cane rod against the bridge and looked with me at the water.
 Clear isn't it?' he said pleasantly ''I back our Kennel any day against the Test. Look at that big fellow! Four pounds. if he's an ounce, But the evening rise is over and you cant tempt en-
 Il don't see him. said l.
 Look! There! A yard from the reeds, just above that stickle.''
 I've got him now. You might swear he was a black stone"
 So he said, and whistled another bar of Annie Laurie"
 ''Twisden's the name, isn't it?' he said over his shoulder, his eyes still fixed on the stream.
 "No," I said ''I mean to say yes" I had forgotten all about my alias.
 It's a wise conspirator that knows his own name" he observed. grinning broadly at moor hen that emerged from the bridges shadow.
 I stood up and looked at him. at his square, cleft jaw and broad lined brow and the firm folds of cheeks and be gan to think that here at last was an ally worth having. His whimsical blue eyes seemed to go very deep.
 Suddenly he frowned. 'I call 1t dis graceful" he said, raising his voice. "Disgraceful that an ablebodied man like you should dare to beg. You can get meal from my kitchen. but you'll get no money from me"
 4 dogcart was passing. driven by Il young man, who raised his whip to = Iute tne fisherman. When he had gone he picked up his rod.
 That's my house." he said, pointing to white gate hundred yards S4. Wait five minutes and then go round to the back door, And with that he left me.
 I did as 1 was bidden. I found pretty cottage with lawn running down to the stream and perfect jun gle of guelder rose and lilac Banking the path. The back door stood GRen and grave butler was awaiting me.
 Come this way. sir" he said. and ht itu paosh H back staircase to a pleasant bedroom looking toward the river.
 There l found complete outfit laid out for me-dress clothes with all the flxings. brown flannel suit shirts. collars. ties. shaving things and hair brushes. even a pair of patent shoes.
 Sir Waiter thought as how Mir. Reg gie's things would it you. sir" said the butler He keeps some clothes ere, for he comes regular on the week ends. There's bathroom next door, and I've prepared 'ot bath Dinner in alf an hour. s1T. You'll ear the gong"
 The grave being withdrew, anQ J sat down in chintz covered easy chair and gaped.
 It was like pantomime to come suddenly out of beggardom into this orderly comfort. Obviously Sir Walter believed in me, though why he did could not guess. l looked at myself in the mirror and saw a wild, haggaxd brown fellow with fortnight's ragged beard and dust in ears and eyes, col larless. vulgarly shirted, with old tweed clothes and boots that evidently had mot been cleaned for the better part of d month.
 | made fine tramp and fair drov- CT, and here I was ushered by prim butler into this temple of gracious ease. And the best of it was that they did not even know any name.
 l resolved not to puzzle my head, but to take the gifts the gods had pro vided shaved and bathed luxuri- ously and got into the dress clothes and clean, cracking shirt, which fitted me not so badly. By the time had finished the looking glass showed d not unreasonable young man.
 Sir Walter awaited me in q dusky dining room, where little. round ta- hle was lit with silver candles. The sight of him--so respectable and estab. Ished and secure, the embodiment of