The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-01-03


comb with extreme care and precision
when his host turned from the win
dow and approached.
"'Pears to me the worst is over,
don't you reckon so?" said he.
Kenneth. having adjusted his stock
and white Follower collar to suit his
most exacting eye, slipped his arms
into the coat Zachariah was holding
for him, settled the shoulders with a
shrug or two and pull at the flaring
lapels. smoothed his yellow brocaded
waistcoat carefully, and then, spread
Ing his long, shapely legs and at the
same time the tails of his coat, took
commanding position with his back
to the blazing logs.
"Are you referring to my 'oilet, Mr..
Striker?" he inquired amiabIy.
Il was talkin' about the storm" ex-
planned Phineas hastily. Are you
plannin' to work the farm yourself,
Mr.. Gwynne. or are you goin' to sell
er rent on sharesr'
Gwynne looked at him in surprise.
you appear to know who i am after
all, Mr. Striker"
Striker grinned. II guess everybody
In this neck o. the woods has heerd
about you; a lot Of the folks up In
town have been lookin' down the
Crawfordsville road fer you ever since
your father died last August"
II see." said the other refiectively.
Were you acquainted with my father,
Mr.. Strikerr
Much so as anybody could be. He
wasn't much of q hand fer maxim
friends. 1 was jest wonderfn' whsther
you was plannin' to live on the farm
er up In town."
"Well. you see, / am q lawyer by
profession know little or nothing
about farming. Ny plans are not &C.
tually made, however. great deal
depends On how ind things. You
know the farm. Mr. striherr
Yes. It's not far from here-nve
or six mile. I'd say, to the north an
east. Takes in some Of the finest land
on the Wea plain-mostly clear, some
hne timber, plenty Of water, an about
the best stocked farm anywheres
around. Your father was one Of the
hrst to edge mp this way ten er twelve
year ago, an he got the pick O. the
new land. bought this axty-aers
piece offen him two year ago. Course,
there's 4 small mortgage ON the place,
but I en- take keef Of that, 1 reckon"
"Aheml The mortgage, 1 fancy, IL
held by-er-the other heirs to his
property"
You're right. His widder holds 1t,
but she amt the kind to press me-"
Come to supper" called out Mrs.
Striker from the doorway.
"Just a moment, If you please" said
the young man. laying his hand on the
settlers arm. You will do me a great
favor II you refrain from discussing
these matters in the presence of your
other guest tonight My father, as
you doubtless know. meant very little
In my life. prefer not to discuss him
IN the presence of strangers-especial-
ly curious-minded young women.r
Phineas looked at him narrowly for
an instant, queer expression lurking
In his eyes.
Jest as you say, Mr.. Gwynne. Not
word In front of strangers"
Bring In them two capdlesticks
Phin," ordered Mrs. Striker. I'VE got
TO be able to see what each other looks
like, an goodness knows we CANT
with this taller dip / got out here TO
cook by. 'Tain't often we have people
right out o. the fashion plates to sup
per, so let's have all the light we kim"
kenneth's fellOw-guest was standing
near the stove, her back toward him.
as he entered the kitchen.
The table was set for four. In the
middle of the little kitchen; rude hand
made stools, without backs, were In
place. A figured red cloth covered the
board, Its fringe of green hanging down
over the edges. The plates, saucers
and coffee cups were thick and clumsy.
There were black-handled case-kniyes.
huge four-tiDed forks and pewter
spoons.
Come in and set down, Mr.. Gwynne,"
said Mrs. Striker, pointing to a stool
II can't help thanking my lucky
stars Mrs. Striker, that got here
ahead Of the Storm said he. moving
over to his appointed place, where he
remained standing. I'VE were Just In
t1me. too. Ten minutes later and we
would have been In the thick Of II.
cannot tell you how much i appreciate
your kindness"
"Oh, it's-it's nothing" said she, DIFF
hdeDtly. "Set down. everybody"
The young lady sat opposite Gwynne.
She lowered her head Immediately az
Phineas began to offer mp his estab-
lished form Of grace
rv,I.-
In the center Of the table, foot or two
apart. When Gwynne lifted his head
after grace" he looked directly be-
tween them at his vis-a-vis. For few
seconds he stared as II spellbound.
Never had he looked upon q face so
beautiful, never had he seen any one
so lovely as this strange young woman
who shared with him the hospitality of