The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-15
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Howard pressed her hand. He smiled
gently. Don't bother he said. 81
may, not see Craig again for long
time 1 won't look him up / prom
Use that. I won't put myself in his
way. so don't worry any more"
Leaving her mute and still at the
gate, Howard walked toward the town
Ia the clear moonlight Something in
Mary's talk had lifted him higher than
be had ever been lifted before. He
was beginning to realize what she had
been and was to him.
ahead of him, outlined in the moon
light, was the roof of Craig's farm
house. The house was unlighted.
Craig lived there alone, attended by
negro woman who occupied a cabin
sone distance in the rear. Howard
paused at the gate. What better OPP
portunity to demand satisfaction could
he have7 Craig was In the house
doubtlessIy asleep. why not rap on
the door, call him out and demand an
apologys But he had promised Mary
that he would not Intentionally meet
the man, and he must keep his word.
He heard step down the road. Some
one approached and passed on the 9TH
err side 1t was man carrying plow
stock on his shoulder. IN the dark.
ness Howard did not recognize him.
For few moments he stood In sharp
struggle with himself, through which
Mary's face. eyes and words were, with
him.
A rugged hill, deeply wooded, rose in
the moonlight near by. He had read
Of philosophers seeking such places in
spiritual stress, and it seemed to beckon
to him. Suddenly and by sheer strength
OF resolution he turned. sharply away
and, plunging into the wood, began the
ascent of the steep hillside. Higher and
higher he climbed among the stately
pines, p1unging through retardIn vines,
thorn bushes and briers, till the valley
in which the village nestled lay before
him Only here and there lights show
ed, for the hour was late The night
was progressively warm. A vast sense
of Dissatisfaction and unrest lay on
him Like weight. Throwing himself
down on heap of sweet scented pine
needless Howard gave himself up to
Keen even morbid, introspection. New
err had he felt so discontented One
moment he would be filled with rage
at the memory of Craigss bloated face
and snarIing insults, and the next
A1ary's suffering appeal would sweep
over him; like a cooling breeze from
inf1nity itself. Presently he grew calm
er. and drowsy feeling stole upon
HIM AS he was drifting into uncon-
seiousness the thought came to him
that he might as well spend the re-
1na1nder Of the night there as in his
stuffy room at the hotel, and SO he al
lowed himself to sleep.
He had many turbulent dreams. One
that seemed to stand out more yivtdly
|LH AE-s n
he heard horse trotting along the
road from barley to Craig's house. It
seemed TO be Craig returning home.
He thought be heard Craig cali out at
the gate in a drunken tone to some
one. A surly voice seemed to respond,
and then there was sound like the
sharp slamming of a door or the re-
port OF q gun This was followed by
the beating hoofs of riderless horse
aseit gallOped or down the road.
With a broom in his hand Sugart
was sweeping out the office the next
morning, and as Howard suddenly APP
peared before him he shrank back as if
alarmed. Indeed, he turned pale and
leaned on the counter, dropping his
broom to the floor and awkWardly
bending down to recover it.
.sWhat is the matter?" Howard ask
ed, with a smile. 'tDo I look as tough
as all thai?
seWhy-Wh y''-Sugart stammered as
be continued to stare open eyed-"I
tliought-we all thought that you
Some said you'd left on the midnight
train
Left? Where to?" Howard asked,
his establishment growing
II don't know" Sugart was still
pale and wore the disturbed air of a
man unable to meet a delicate situa-
ton. rsBut the report is out that the
sheriff said you'd left. Elm and the
town marshal was down here together
when I got up half an hour ago They
-6hey asked me if you slept here last
night, and when I went up ana looked
to satisfy them and found that your
bed hadn't been used and told them so
they said you must have taken train
here at midnight or gone through the
woods and mountains to get to the 9TH
er road
Towards indignation was rising
Ibid they think that / would actually
leave the country 90 he demanded. 'Ts
there a man in this town fool enough
to- think that would do all that to
avoid meeting Fred Craig? / refuse to
believe- it, Tom, Frs not a coward
I've never been accused OF it."
IT don't know anything about it,
Sugart was still quite bewildered, and
IN angry Impotence Howard assembled
the stairs to his room. Entering it, he
was about to battle his face and hands
when colored ehambernlaid suddenly
entered, and, seeing him in the light
from the window, she uttered a sharp
scream and beat a hasty retreat down
the corridor. What could it all mean?
he asked himself as he changed his
clothing. Surely they were acting
qneer1y.
Going down to breakfast at the first
sound of the gong, he was met by 9TH
er surprises. He saw Mrs. Langham
In agitated conversation with Sugart
at the dining room door. Seeing him
face to face. she started. bowed has