Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-11-11
CHAPTER Continued


p
had forgotten my surrounding
forgotten the dlngy cobbles OF Mincin
lane, forgotten the strange clrcun
stances under which / had met thi
strange person who seemed so int
mately versed In my family history.
lived over again the brave days a
FOxcroft when Charles had been mas
ter and I his lieutenant But the mo
ment passed, the memories faded. an
my eyes saw again the drab building
OF the alley and the odd figure OF m,
dellverer-whom had first delivered
"And you. sir" said May | ash
how II happens you know so much con
corning the fortunes of a plain Dorse
famlly7"
He seemed not to hear me. standing
there In a brown study. and spoke
10 him again sharply.
Eyes. yes, heard" he answered. al
most impatiently. Il was But this
is no place for discussion. Come with
me to my house. 81
Some trace OF my feelings mus
have been revealed in my attitude
my face he could not have seen in the
darkness-fOr he continued:
"You need not fear me. Master Or
merod. ! mean you no harm. could
not do harm TO your fathers SON"
but your" asked. "Who are you.
sir7"
He chuckled dryly.
you know my name" he, answered,
"and you heard the watch acknowl-
edge my civic dignity. For the rest
If you have spent much time in Dorset
you should know Dorset voice"
81 do that" l assented heartily. "and
tits grateful to my ears"
"Then be content with that, sir for
a few minutes Come. let us be on our
way. have reasons for not wishing
to invite a second attack upon us"
He set of at a great pace. his head
walked beside him. puzzled exceed
ingIy.
Ten minutes later we stopped before
a tall, gabled house of brick and TIM
Der on the near side OF HolbOrn. My
companion produced a key from his
person and unlocked a heavy door
which opened upon staircase leading
TO the second story The first floor
was occupied by a shop.
ENTER, Master Ormerod." said Jug
gins. "You are right welcome. hope
you have none OF the country gentle
mans scorn for the home of an honest
merchant"
"A beggar must not be a chooser." /
answered. But II were not indebt-
ed to you for my liberty should still
be glad to visit a Dorset man who
knows how to fight and who remem-
bers the woods Of Foxcroft-"
"Wel spoken" applauded JuggIns
as he fastened the door behind MS.
$50 might have expected your ia
Tiers son to speak"
ssThat Is the second time you have
called many fathers son on. :. / said
.Prlthee, Master Juggins, had you ae-
quaIntance with my fatherT
''BIde. bide," he replied enigmat-
lcally. 1--WE shall settle all that anon.
After you, Sir
And he ushered me up the stairs,
which were hung with the skins OF
many kinds Of animals, some Of which
| did not even know. The stairs gave
upon large hall. similarly decorated.
md through this we passed into a com.
'ortabIe chamber which stretched
across the front Of the house
Master Juggins relieved me Of my
.Ioak and hat and motloned TO a deep
hair IN front OF the fire.
REST yourself, Master Ormerod
'resentfy we shall have provender for
he inner man as web. Ho. GoOdy
Lrt abed, after all7"
aAbed7 AbedY' answered a thin.
Id voice that was inexpresslbly sweet,
nth a Dorset burr that made Master
.obert's sound like the twang OF
,ondoner. -Abed? says he. When did
ever feel the sheets, and not know
X he was warm and safe and his Z
osset-cup where II belongs-which is {
HIS stomach7 Abed Didst ever
nd .
She stepped into the room. a quaint
tile figure In hOdden-gray. a dainty -
10 perched on her wispy white hair. .
sr brown eyes cleaning In the candle
zht. the criss-crossed wrinkles OF her
leeks shining ike network OF fine
ee. In her hands she held a tray
Ipporting steaming dagon and d. :,
RS covered dishes Of pewterware !
Juegins favored me with a humor {
IS glance -
@Sure, grow more troublesome !,
ar by year. granny" be said AZ she Q
used at sight Of me Here am O
me home later than ever. bringing
est with me. Who think you he ls7- "
She looked at us inquiringiy- z
= IT'S Master OrTnerod." II
''Ormerodg Not
Aye Master Harry Al
sBut he IL IN Fmncef~ IA
Nay he Is here 30
ms drnw closer. and studied mo fna- %