Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-07-09

"Now's your chance to get at the
lookin'-glass, Mr.. Gwynne," said
Striker. Fright there In the sittin'
room. Go ahead; I'll manage this"
Seated in a big wooden rocker be-
fore the fireplace, Gwynne stretched
out his long legs one after the other; /;
Zachafiah tugged at the heavy, mud
caked riding-bOots.
"Dere won't never be any mo'nin',"
gulped the unhappy Zachariah, bend
ing lower to his task, which now had
to do with the boot-straps at the bot
toms of his masters trOuser-legs. Then
he pulled the trouser-legs down over
the boots, obscuring their upper glory /;
after which he smoothed out the
wrinkles and fastened the instep
straps. Whereupon, Kenneth arose,
stamped severely on the hearth sew
eral times to settle his feet In the
nug-fitting boots, and turned to the
looking glass. He was welding the
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 SOL" said he.
Kenneth, having adjusted his stock
and white roll-over 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 toilet, Mr..
Striker?" he inquired amiably.
II 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 shares?
Gwynne looked at him in surprise.
"You appear to know who / am, after
all, Mr.. Striker"
Striker grinned. II guess everybody
In this neck O. the woods has heerd
about you; lot Of the folks up In
town have been lookin' down the
Charlottesville road fer you ever since
your father died last August"
~ see," said the other reflectively.
"Were you acquainted with my father,
Mr.. StrikerW
"Much so as anybody could be. He
Cn't nnnh nf hond for Dnokin'
friends. l was jest wonderln' whether
you was plannin' to live on the farm
er up In town."
"Well you see, l am a lawyer by
profession. 1 know little or nothing
about farming. My plans are not ac-
tually made, however. A great deal
depends on how 1 find things. You
know the farm, Mr.. Striker?'
Eyes. It's not far from here-five
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
fine timber, plenty Of water, an about
the best stocked farm anywheres
around. Your father was one Of the
first to edge up this way ten er twelve
year ago, an he got the pick O. the
new land. I bought this sixty-acre
piece often him two year ago. Course,
there's small mortgage on the place,
but I en- take keef Of that, reckon"
"Ahem The mortgage, fancy, is
held by-er+the other heirs to his
property"
You're right. His widder holds IT,
but she amt the kind to press me-"
"Come to supper" called out Mrs.
Striker from the doorway.
"Just moment, if you please" said
the young man, laying his hand on the
settlers arm. "You will do me great
favor If 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"
Phtneas looked at him narrowly for
an instant, queer expression lurking
In his eyes.
Jest as you say, Mr. Gwynne. Not
q word In front Of strangers"
Bring in them two candlesticks,
Phin," ordered Mrs Striker. 1--WE got
to be able to see what each other looks
like, an goodness knows we CANT
with this taller dip I got out here to
cook by. Taint often we have people
right out o. the fashion-plates to sup
per, so let's have all the light we Rim"
Kenneths 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 knives,
huge four-tined forks and pewter
spoons.
"Come in and set down, Mr.. Gwynne,"
! said Mrs Striker nointino RI q stool