The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-07-03
CHAPTER !.
The First Wayfarer and the Second
Wayfarer Meet and Part on the
kiohwav


A solitary figure trudged along the
narrow road that wound its serpen-
tinous way through the dismal. forbid
ding depths of the forest-a man who,
though weary and footsore, Jagged not
in his swift, resolute advance. Night
was coming on, and with 1t the no un-
. certain prospects of storm.
He came to the pike" and there
was sgnpost. A huge, crudely paint
what was intended to be the sleeve of
a very stiff and unfinching arm these
words were printed In scaly white:
"Hart's Tavern. Food for Man and
Beast. Also Gasoline. Established
179S. 1 Mile.".
On the opposite side of the "pike,"
IN the angle formed by junction with
the narrow mountain road, stood an
hunybler signpost, lettered so indis-
tinct,y that 1t deserved the compass.
sion OF all observers because of its
humility. Swerving in his hurried pas
sage, the tall stranger drew near this
shrinking friend to the uncertain trav-
eler. and was suddenly aware Of an-
other presence In the roadway.
A woman appeared, ms II from no.
where, almost at his side. He drew
back to let her pass. She stopped be-
fore the little signpost. and together
they made out the faint directions.
To the right and up the mountain
road Frogg's Corner lay four miles and
half away; Pitcairn was six miles
back over the road which the man had
Travelled. Two miles and half down
the turnpike was Spanish Falls. rail-
way station, and four miles above the
crossroads where the man and women
stood peering through the darkness at
the laconic signpost reposed the vii
lage Of st. Elizabeth. Hart's Tavern
was on the road to st. Elizabeth. and
the man, with barely a glance at his
fellow traveller, started briskly Off 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 trnv-
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
steep climb that led into black and
sinister timberlands above the narrow
strip of pasture bordering the pike.
The fierce wind pinned her skirts ia
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 hend. and. even In the gathering
darkness. he could see a strand or two
of hair keeping them company.
Retraclng his steps, he called out tC
her above the gale:
"Can be Of any assistance to your
She turned quickly. He saw that
the veil was drawn tightly over hel
face.
"No, thank you." she replied. Hel
voice. despite certain nervous note
was soft and clear and gentle-tht
voice and speech of well-bred per
son who was young and res0lute.
Pardon me, but have you much far
ther to 60? The storm will soon bs
upon us. and--surely you will not con
slider me presumptuous-I don't lik'
the idea Of your being caught out In
'What Is to be done about 1T" sh'
inquired. resignedly. II must 60 on
can't walt here, you know, to b.
washed back to the place ! startet
from"
He smiled. She had wit as well Al
determination.
"If can be OF the least assistance
to you pray don't hesitate to comman,
me. am a sort of tramp. you nigh
saw. and l travel as well by night q
do by day-so don't feel that you ar
putting me to any inconvenience. Ar
you by any chance bound for Hart
Tavernf II so. I will be glad to lal
behind and carry your bag"
"You are very good. but am no
hound for Hart's Tavern. whereve
that may be. Thank you, just tn
same. You appear to be an uncom
monty gepteel tramp. and 1t isn't be
cause am afraid sou might make Of
with my Belongings" She added tn
last by way Of apology.
He smlIed--and then frowued - b