Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-04-19

ehc AdCoAAC SiSnhos Q ue VII
lage Of st. Elizabeth. Harris Tavern
was on the road to st. Elizabeth, and
the man. with barely a glance at his
fellow traveller, started briskly of in
that direction.
He knew that these wild mountain
storms moved swiftly; his chance of
reaching the tavern ahead Of the del
uge was exceedingly slim. His long,
powerful legs had carried him twenty
or thirty PAGES before he came to a
sudden halt.
What Of this lone woman who trav-
ersed the highway? His first glimpse
Of her had been extremely casual
indeed, he had paid no attention TO
her at all, so eager was he to read
the directions and be on his way.
She was standing quite still in front
of the signpost, peering up the road
toward Frogg's COrner-confronted by
a steep climb that led into black and
sinister timberlands above the narrow
strip of pasture bordering the pike.
The fierce wind pinned her skirts to
her slender body as she leaned against
the gale, gripping her hat tightly
with one hand and straining under the
weight of the bag In the other. The
ends of a veil whipped furiously about
her head, and, ever in the gathering
darkness, he could see a strand or two
of hair keeping them company.
Retracing his steps, he called out to
her above the gale:
Can l be of any assistance to your
She turned quickly. He saw that
the veil was drawn tightly over her
face.
mo, thank you" she replied. Her
voice, despite a certain nervous note,
was soft and clear and gentle-the
voice and speech of a well-bred per-
son who was young and resolute.
"Pardon me, but have you much far
Their to go? The storm will soon be
upon us, and-surely you viii not con-
slider me presumptuous-I don't like
the idea of your being caught out in"
"WhNt is to be done about it?" she
inquired, resignedly. 81 must go on.
l can't wait here, you know, to be
washed back to the place 1 started
FROM"
He smiled. She had wit as well as
determination.
"If l can be Of the least assistance
to you pray don't hesitate to command
me. l am a sort of tramp, you might
say, and l travel as well by night as
/ do by day-so don't feel that you are
putting me to any inconvenience. Are
you by any chance bound for Harris
Tavern? If so, 1 will be glad to lag
behind and carry your bag"
"You are very good, but / am not
bound for Harris Tavern, wherever
that may be. Thank you, just the
same. You appear to he an uncom-
monty genteel tramp, and it isn't be-
cause l I'M afraid you might make off
with my belongings" Sire added the
last by way of apology.
He smiled-and then frowned as he
cast an uneasy look at the black
clouds now rolling orlinOusly up over
the mountain ridge.
"By Jove, we're going to catch it
good and hard" he exclaimed. Better
take my advice. These storms are ter
rible. l know, for I've encountered
half a dozen of them in the past week.
They fairly tear one to pieces. You
are a stranger in these parts2'
. Eyes. The railway station Is a few
miles below here. / have walked all
the way. There was no one to meet
me. You are a stranger also, so 1t is
useless to inquire if you know whether
this road leads to Green Fancy"
Screen Fancy? Sounds attractive.
I'm sorry l can't enlighten you" He