The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-05-01
"STRANCER,
WELCOME!"
By WALTER ]. DELANEY
Copyright. 1890. Western Newspaper GDienl

Pearce Dwinell expressed a sign of
ardent relief as lining a park-Iike
estate, he read the words in bold
letters. ''Stranger--Welcome.
He had left his law office in the
city planning 10 become q knight OF
the road for seven days. lie had
traversed q fair country. meeting with
more variety than adventure
Now Pearce Dwinell had no means
of knowing that Fairview was con
ti2uous TO the little town of Alton,
where a farmers institute had been
held. To advertise the same and ex-
! tend a genial Invitation TO the visiting
| public, the stranger, welcome" post
ers has been posted prOmlscuouSly
Dwinell, misunderstanding. passed
beyond the gates and came 10 an orna-
mental iron bench
"Ah my find back in the road" he
| observed after moments rest.
He drew from his pocket folded
sheet, blown across his path on the
highway. A cursory glance showed
1t to be an official legal document He
was examining ii professionally when
shadow crossed the page Turning
quickly he found himself face to face
with the most beautiful young lady he
had ever met. Her eyes were fixed
| on the sheet as if devouring its con
tents. She uttered a quick gasp. then
she turned and sped from the spot
! with the grace and swiftness of a
startled fawn.
Il lui
!. He watched the little figure until IL
n disappeared. He was filed with
n sense of mystery. He was about start
ing out to explore the strange fairy
land, when from a clump of bushes
there appeared two men suggesting
> conventional care keepers They
g looked grim and acted with force. His
arms were pinioned. he was forced
), forward and to his expostuations
Y and struggles his captors paid not the
least heed.
/ Nearing the house the two men
paused. The girl was in sight at a
distance. She waved hand. The
men started up again. entered the
=. structure at a rear door. forced their
prisoner up dark stairway and re-
leased him within an old lumber room
with strongly barred windows.
"Well!" breathed Dwinel In a
tremendous aspiration of wonder and
indignation.
In about half an hour the door was
cautiously opened. A server holding
4 a smoking meal was slid across the
threshold Dwinell was hungry and
.. could not resist the tempting collation.
:. spread before him. dainty cook
must have prepared it for all was per-
n. feet and exquisite.
O. Once more the door opened and
there appeared stern. hut handsome
M faced young man. evidently the brother
IN of, the airy sprite OF the garden and
that sparkling young creature herself.
he The former, was grim I'm manner,
IN fairly menacing.
go IF you please" spoke Dwinell
courteously, "Why am / detainedT'
"Be thankful you were not seen first
by some OF the hands on the grounds
who are instructed to shoot all tres
he passers." said the young man severe
III ly. Especially fntruders bent on your
or underhanded mission"
~ "Will you explain what that means.'
u denanded Dwinell with dignity. "oh
u1 that, you mean" as the young maH
pc Haunted The document that seemed
~. bobbing up everywhere. 81 found that
80 In the road
Hector" here whispered the girl
''can there be a mistake"
70
N You mean TO say you did not sneak il
n here to serve this paper on my invalid
u father.
II ST surely did not" replied Dwineli
81 am a lawyer-my name is Pearc,
II Dwinell. and here are my credentials
Brother and sister glanced over tn
II papers. The former began To look die
composed. the young lady seemed con
WINGED. She directed an apOIOseti.
A. glance ut Dwinell
lis TEL him-Oh! am sure he can =,
en- trusted" she murmured.
SIX 81 believe your representation" saif
ay, Hector Rhodes "Unfortunaaly W.
nit have treated you as an enemy. wher,
L.. you would probably prove friend
nh My aged father is being prosecuted b.
ser Matchmaking litfgant who hopes ",
of would pay him large sum rattle
uso than have him dragged into court a
ms the risk of his health. Our enem.
tile has vainly endeavored to serve paper
d on him. We have him in close hiding
tho viii you see II you can advise SOM
avo way of battling ones persistent foe?
ew Dwinell assented. and soon Learned
90 the details OF the case. He LETT Fair
nd view bent uDon the mission of prevent
ing further annoyance of the family
returning the next morning.
'Your father will be prosecuted n
further" confidently announced OWN
ay, Ell haNe e'.eieu "ppeai a".e !"
him under bond. but l am satisfied tina
your enemy will never dare to conn
'ee-l into court"