The Elbert County tribune., 1917-10-05


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
roundT'
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"
81 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 appraisingly at John
Strangewey. Notwithstanding his sun
tanned cheeks and the splendid vlgor
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 oplned that the books which
lined one side of the room were at
once his property and his hobby.
"It is a very healthy life, no doubt"
she said "but somehow it seems in
comprehensive to think of a man like
yourself living always in such an out
of-the-way corner"
Johns lips were open to reply, but
1Stephen once more intervened.
Life means 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 a 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 decanter
of port reverently produced.
Louise had fallen for moment or
two into a 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,
startlingly like her two hosts seemed
to frown down upon her.
"Is that your father2' she asked,
moving her head toward one of the
portraits.
my grandfather, John Strangewey,"
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-
manry of that period. and three times
refused to stand for parliament"
John Strangeweyl Louise repeat
ed softly to herself. 81 was looking at
your family tree upstairs" she went
on. "It Is curious how both my maid
and myself were struck with a sense
of familiarity about the name, as If
we had heard or read something about
it quite lately"
Her words were almost carelessly
spoken, but she was conscious of the
somewhat ominous silence which en-
sued. She glanced up wonderingly
and intercepted a rapid look passing
between the two men. More puzzled
than ever, she turned toward John as
If for an explanation. He had risen
somewhat abruptly to his feet, and his
hand was upon the back of her chair.
"Will it be disagreeable to you if my
brother smokes a piper" he asked. 81
tried to have our little drawing room
prepared for you, but the fire has not
been lit for so long that the room, am
afraid, is quite impossible"
DO let me stay here with you," she
begged, land 1 hope that both of you
will smoke. I am quite used to it."
John wheeled up an easy chair for
her. Stephen, stiff and upright. sat on
the other side of the hearth He took
the tobacco jar and pipe that his broth
er had brought him, and slowly filled
the bowl.
with your permission, then, ma
dam," he said, as he struck a match.
Louise smiled graciously. Some in
stinct prompted her to stifle her own
craving for cigarette and keep her
little gold case hidden in her pocket.
All the time her eyes were wandering
round the room. Suddenly she rose
and, moving round the table, stood
once more facing the row of gloomy
looking portraits.
$50 that is your grandfather?" she
remarked to John, VINO had followed
her. "Is your father not heref"
He shook his head.
My fathers portrait was never
painted"
'Tell the truth, John" Stephen en-
Joined. rising in his nlnce and settinr