Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-08-17

comprehensive to think of man llk'
yourself living always in such IN OUT
of-the-way corner"
Johns lips We're open to reply pu
Stephen once more interviewed.
"I.lfe means different thing to eacf
of Us, madam" he said sterny. There
are muny born with the lust for cities
and the crowded places In their hearts
born with the desire to mingle VIII
their fellows to absorb the convention
al vices and virtues, to become one OF
the Multitude. 1t has been different
with Us strangeweys."
Jennings, Mt sign from his master
removed the tea equipnge, evidently
produced in honor of their visitor
Three tall-stemmed glasses were
placed upon the table, and decanter
OF port revcrently 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
u row Of grim-looking men ana women
sralTllngly like her two hosts, seemed
to frown down upon her,
SIS that your father?' she asked,
moving her head toward one of the
portraits.
MY grandfather, John Strangewey,"
Stephen told her.
WAS he one Of the wanderers?"
'Ile 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 Strungewey Louise repeat
ed softly to herself. ~ was looking At
your family tree upstairs" She went
on. ut is curious how both my maid
and myself were struck with sense
of familiarity about the name, as II
we had heard or read something about
II quite lately"
Her words were almost carelesSly
spoken, but she was conscious of the
somewhat omnnus silence which en-
sued. She glanced up wonderIngly
and intercepted 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
"WilI 1t be disagreeabIe to you If my
brother smokes Il piper he asked, II
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"
40 lei me stay here with you" she
begged and hope that both of you
Nlll smoke 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
thc tobacco jar and pipe that his broth
or had brought him, and slowly filled
The bowl.
with your permission, then, ma
dam. he said, as he struck a match.
Louise smiled grucinusly. Some in.
>Iiut prompted her 10 stife her own
craving for d 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
tookin. portraits.
SO That Is your grandfather she
remarked q John, VINO had followed
her is your father not here?'
He Iool his head.
"Ml fathers portrait was never
paiuIed
"feA the truth. john stephen en-
jlined. rising in his place and setting
down hls pipe. we Strungeweys
were hiIfolk and farmers. by descent
and destiny for more than four hum
drel wears our place is here upon
the land almost among the clouds and
those III u~ Who have realized It have
led tha lives God meant US TO lead.
There haze been some Of our race who
hlvr been tempted into the lowands
ana the cities. Not one of them
brought honor upon our name. Their
pictures are not here. They are not
worthy to be here"
stephen set down the candlesticks
and returned to his place. Louise with
her hands elasped behind her back,
glanced toward John, who still stood
by her side.
Tell me- she asked him, have
none Of your people who went out into
the world done well for themselyesT
Scarcely one" he admitted
Not one Stephen interrupted. |
Madam" he went on, turning toward |
Louise, lest my welcome to you this
evening should have seemed lnhospita-
ble, let me tell you this Every |
Strangewey who has left our county.
and trodden the downward path Of I
failure, has done so at the instance of |
one Of your sex. That is why those Of !
US who inherit the family spirit look
askance upon all strange women. That
Is why 20 woman is ever welcome with
in this house,
--4.-y@-y>-4~----.-5
Continued next week