The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-01-03
CHAPTER .
Shelter for the Might.

Shelter for the Night.
Night was falling as two horsemen
drew rein In front of a cabin at the
edge Of clearing in the far-reaching
somber forest. man stood partially
revealed in the doorway. His left arm
and shoulder were screened from view
by the jamb. his head was bent for
ward as he peered intently through
narrowed eyes at the strangers In the
road.
who are you, and what do you
want?" he called out.
Friends. How far is 1t to the tav.
ern at Clark's Point?"
"Clark's Point is three miles back"
replied the settler. where you bound
fer?"
Lafayette. l guess we're off the
right road. We took the left turn four
or five miles back"
whats takin' you to Clark's Point
| There amt no tavern there"
MY name is Gwynne. / left Craw
fordsville this morning. hoping to reach
Lafayette before night But the road
is so heavy we couldn't"
Been rainin' steady for nearly tw,
weeks" interrupted the settler. Hub
deep everywhere. guess mebby we
en- find place fer you to sleep tonight.
and we en- give you somethin' fer man
an beast. If you'll jest ride around
here TO the harm wen put the hosses
| up an feed EN-, and-Eliza, set out n
couple more plates, an double the ra
tions all around. Where do you come
from?' he inquired. after moments
hesitation.
MY home is in Kentucky. live
at
Kentucky eh? Well, that's good
place to come from. guess you're all
right, stranger
The gaunt settler conducted the un
expected guests to the barn, where
after they had dismounted, he assisted
in the removal of the well-filled saddle
bags and rolls from the backs of theii
taded horses.
''Water?' he inquired briefly.
mo. suh." replied Zachariah, blink
ing as the other held the lantern VI
the better to look into his face. Zach
ariah was young negro-as black as
night, with cleaning white teeth which
he revealed in a broad and friendly
grin. Had all dey could drink, mars
ter, back yander at de crick."
I'VE can't offer you much in the way
OF entertainment, Mr.. Gwynne, but
what we've got you're welcome to-"
II shall be greatly indebted to you,
sir. The time will surely come when !
may repay yOu-not In money, but in
friendship. Pray do not let us discom
mode you or your household. will he
satisfied to sleep on the floor or in the
barn. and as for zachariah, he"
1.-THE barn is for the hOsses to SLEEP
in," interrupted the host, "and the floor
is for the cat 'Tain't my idee of fair
ness to allow human bein's to squat on
proppety that rightfully belongs to
hOsses an cats-sO l guess you'll have
to sleep in a bed, Mr.. Gwynne." He
spoke with a drawl "Zachariah en-
spread his blankets on the kitchen floor
an make out somehow. Now, II you'll
jist step over to the well yander, you'll
find a wash pan. Eliza-I mean Mrs
Striker-will give you towel when
you're ready. Jest sing out to her.
Here, you, Zachariah, carry this plum
der over an put II in the kitchen. Mrs.
Striker will show you. Be careful of
them rifles of your'n. They go of
mighty sudden II you stub your toe.
You'll find comb and lookin' glass in
the settin' room, Mr.. Gwynne. You'll
probably want to put a few extry
touches on yourself when I tell you
there's an ALFRED purity girl spendin
the night with us Go along, now. I'll
put the feed down for your hosses an
be with you In less'n no time"
81 am prepared and amply able to
pay for lodging and food. Mr.. Striker.
so do not hesitate to-"
Save your breath, stranger. I'm as
deef as post"
With that he entered the barn door
leading the horses. Gwynne and his
servant hurried through the darkness
toward the light in the kitchen window.
The former raped politely on the door.
II was opened by Mrs. Striker, tall,
comely woman well under thirty He
removed his tall. sorry-looking beaver.
Madam, your husband has instruct
ed my servant to leave our belongings
in your kitchen. fear they are not
overly clean Your kitchen is as clean
as pin. Shall instruct him to return
with them to the barn and"
Bring them in" she said. melting in
spite of herself as she looked down from
the doorstep into his dark, smiling eyes.
His strong, tanned face was beardless,
his teeth were white, his abundant
brown hair tousled and boyishly awry
and there were mud splashes on his
.hf ~ AL