The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-09-28

hen0al. MY journey is not at all al III
teresting matter to talk about" she
went on. "Tell me about your life
here. 1t sounds most delightfully."- pas.
toral. Do you live here all the year
round?"
my brother" John told her, ''has
not been farther away than the near
est market town for nearly twenty
years."
Her eyes grew round with astonish-
ment.
But you 60 to London sometimes"
81 was there eight years ago. Since
then I have not been further away than
Carlisle or Kendall. I go into camp
near Kendall for three weeks every
year-territoria training, you know"
"But how do you pass your time?
What do you do with yourself" she
asked.
Farm" he answered. farming is
our daily occupation. Then for amuse-
ment we hunt, shoot and fish. The sea-
sons pass before we know it."
She looked appraisingly at John
Strangewey. Notwithstanding his sun
tanned cheeks and the splendid vigor
of his form, there was nothing in the
least agricultural about his manner or
his appearance. There was humor as
well as intelligence in his clear, gray
eyes. She opined that the books which
lined one side of the room were at
once his property and his hobby.
''It is very healthy life, no doubt"
she said; "but somehow it seems in
comprehensive to think of man like
yourself living always in such an out
of-the-way corner"
Johns lips were open to reply, but
Stephen once more interviewed.
Life means a different thing to each
of us, madam" he said sternly. "There
are many born with the lust for cities
and the crowded places in their hearts,
born with the desire to mingle with
their fellows, to absorb the convention
al vices and virtues, to become one of
the multitude. 1t has been different
with US Strangeweys."
Jennings, at sign from his master,
removed the tea equipage, evidently
produced in honor of their visitor.
Three tall-stemmed glasses were
placed upon the table, and a decanter
of port reverently produced.
Louise had fallen for a moment or
two into fit of abstraction. Her eyes
were fixed upon the opposite wall,
from which, out of their faded frames,
a row of grim-looking men and women,
like her two hosts, seemed
to frown down upon her.
SIS that your father?" she asked,
her head toward one of the
portraits.
"My grandfather, John Srrangewey,"
Stephen told her.
"Was he one of the wanderers"
"He left Cumberland only twice |
during his life. He was master of |
hounds, magistrate, colonel in the yeo-
many of that period, and three times
refused to stand for parliament"
"John Strangewey!" Louise repeat
ed softly to herself. 81 was looking at
your family tree upstairs" she went
IN. SIT is curious how both my maid
md myself were struck with sense
If familiarity about the name, as if
We had heard or read something about
t quite lately"
Her words were almost carelessly
poken, but she was conscious of the
omewhat ominous silence which en-
ued. She glanced up wonderingly
nd intercepted a rapid look passing
etween the two men. More puzzled
han ever, she turned toward John as
for an explanation. He had risen
omewhat abruptly to his feet, and his
and was upon the back of her chair.
"Will it be disagreeable to you if my Z
rother smokes piper" he asked. 81
RED to have our little drawing room
repaired for you, but the fire has not
cen lit for so long that the room, am Q
fraid, is quite impossible" v
do let me stay here with yeu," she t
egged, "and 1 hope that both of you b
ill smoke 1 am quite used to it." b
John wheeled up an easy chair for f
er. Stephen, stiff and upright, sat on
lie other side of the hearth. He took Il
lie tobacco jar and pipe that his BROTH
. had brought him, and slowly filled II
lie bowl. II
with your permission, then, ma II
im," he said, as he struck match. II
Louise smiled graciously. Some in II
met prompted her to stifle her own
aving for a cigarette and keep her L
tie gold case hidden in her pocket
i the time her eyes were wandering
und the room. Suddenly she rose
ID, moving round the table, stood ..
zee more facing the row of gloomy = =
oking portraits. n
$50 that is your grandfather" she O.
marked to John, VINO had followed +,
r. SIS your father not here"
He shook his head. q
''My fathers portrait was never ii
inted." In
''Tell the truth, john" Stephen en- IL
ned, rising in his place and setting
wn mis- pipe. "We Strangeweys I'll
re hillfolk and farmers, by descent
d destiny, for more than four hun ty
ed years. Our place is here upon
) land, almost among the clouds, and oil
,Sp of rs who have realized If have T