The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-24

fashioned cut, ana black stock, anu
he remained standing, without any
smile or word of greeting, until she
had taken her seat Behind his chair
stood very ancient manservant In n
gray pepper-and-salt suit, with white
tie, whose expression, at the entrance
Of this unexpected guest, seemed GU
riously to reflect the inhospltable In
stincts of his master.
The table was laid with all manner
Of cold dishes, supplemented by others
upon the sldeboard. There were pots
Of jam and honey, silver teapot and
silver spoons and forks of quaint de-
sign, strangely cut glass, and a great
Dresden bowl filled with flowers.
II am afraid" John remarked, that
you are not used to dining Mt this hour.
My brother and are old-fashioned In
our customs. If we had had a little
longer notice"
II never in my life saw anything
that looked so delicious as your cold
chicken" Louise declared. MAY l
have sOme-and some ham? l believe
that you must farm some land your
selves. Everything looks as If 1t we're
homemade or homegrown"
1--WE are certainly farmers" John ad-
mitted, with a smile, "and don't think
there is much here that isn't of our
own production. The farm buildings
are at some distance away from the
house. There is quite little colony
at the back, and the woman who super
| intends the dairy lives there. In the
house we are entirely Independent of
your sex. We manage, somehow or
other, with Jennings here and two
boys"
"YOu are not both woman-haters,
hope"
Her younger host flashed a warning
glance at Louise, but it was too late.
Stephen had laid down his knife and
fork and was leaning in her direction.
Madam" he intervened, "since you
have asked the question, will confess
that / have never known any good
come to man of our family from the
VI 1Nl NlNC VI Chh
family history. if ever you should come
to know it, would amply justify my
brother and myself for our attitude to-
ward your SEX"
"Stephen!" John demonstrated, a
slight frown upon his face. "Need you
weary our guest with your peculiar
views? 1t is scarcely polite, to say the
least of It,"
The older man sat, for a moment,
grim and silent.
perhaps you are right, brother" he
admitted. "This lady did not seek our
company, but it may interest her to
know that she is the first woman who
has crossed the threshold of Peak Hall
for a matter of six years."
Louise looked from one to the other,
half incredulOusly.
"DO you really mean 1t? Is that lit
orally true?" she asked John.
absolutely" the young man as
sured her; "but please remember that
you are none the less heartily welcome
here. We have few women neighbors,
and intercourse with them seems to
have slipped out of our lives. Tell me,
how far have you come today, and
where did you hope to sleep tOntght2"
Louise hesitated for a moment. For
some reason or other, the question
seemed to bring with 1t some disturb
ing thought.
II was motoring from Edinburgh.
AS regards tonight, / had not made up
my mind. I rather hoped to reach
Kendall. My journey is not at all an in
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
roundP
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 go to London sometimes?"
II was there eight years ago. Since
then have not been further away than
Carlisle or Kendall. 1 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 appralslngly at John
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.
ut is a very healthy life, no doubt"
she said; "but somehow it seems in
to think of a man like
yourself living always in such an out
)f-the-way corner"
JOHn HpS were opeh W leplJ' Dul
Stephen once more intervened.
Life means a different thing to each
If us, madam" he said sternly. There
ire many born with the lust for cities
md the crowded places in their hearts
,orn with the desire to mingle with
heir fellows, to absorb the convention ,
Il vices and virtues, to become one of
he multitude. 1t has been different ,
With us Strangeweys." {
Jennings, at sign from his master, {