The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-05-13
CHAPTER VII-Continued

Lucy did not take a taxi, as she
wasn't at all anxious TO make her
visit in any way conspicuous. She
got into a street car and went as far
as it would take her out of Newches-
ter and in the direction Of Edgestone.
She walked the rest of the way, keep
ing 10 the main road until she came
TO a lane which turned off to the left.
There, a very ancient signpost told
her that it was "Brady's lane" Along
one side Of this lane was a small wood,
and at the end of it she saw the cot
tage, standing in the open light of
stretch Of big fields.
Absorbed in her thoughts and with
futtered little feeling of excitement,
Lucy made quickly toward the cot
tage, until the sudden sound Of soft
footsteps among the cracking under
growth Of the copse, made her start
and stop. And when she turned
quickly she drew a breath of sheer,
downright fear. For coming toward
her out OF the cool dimness Of the
little wood was the strangest figure
she had ever seen.
A man, dressed In dark, shabby
clothes; immensely tall, and with big,
stopped shoulders; long arms that
hung before him in a rather monkeyish
way and slouching, loutish walk that
made extraordinary little sound among
the dry underground. His small eyes
were near together and squinted bad
ly; his nose was thick and short. and
his flabby, edgeless sort of mouth hung
open in silly way that gave her
creeps.
She stood, absolutely struck with
horror, watching the approach of this
man; wishing she could force her legs
TO run, but startled beyond the power
TO make them. He came slouching
toward her. nearer and nearer, and
when suddenly he stopped short, about
two yards from her, and smiled, it
came TO her just where the horror of
him lay: he was mad. Then she real
lied that he wasn't exactly mad; that
was too severe word; he was silly
a village idiot type She swallowed
respond to his smile
I'm Silly-Billy," he said, in a quite
amiable but rather husky voice.
Don't you know Silly-Billy? Every
one knows Silly-Billy."
Frantically, she wondered what she
ought to do. Ought she to humor
him? Or would ii be better to turn
and 90? No, that might offend him.
and there was something in those
squinting eyes Of his, which made her
think he wouldn't be a good person
TO offend. So she smiled again and
said:
"Of course I do. How are you?
Isn't it a lovely day."
Does yer want tsee the cottage?"
he asked. you must pay me a bob
if you want to Sc. the cottage"
81 I haven't time to see the
cottage today" she said hurriedly.
But I'll pay you the the bob
,. with pleasure"
IF you don't want to see the cot
tage. you must pay me two bob" he
said. and grinned at her more broadly
still. He seemed a fairly harmless
sort Of loon, and was certainly pos
sessed of the idiots traditional "cute-
ness"
That's the rule he added. silly
Billy's rule"
"a very clever rule, too," she said.
wishing her hands wouldn't tremble
so as she fumbled with the money in
her purse. Did you think OF it all
yourself?'
He nodded. Lucy saw that his eyes
were squirting down at her purse
with acute interest She offered the
coin and he took ii; but said:
You're got more in there" and he
pointed with his stumpy finger at the
purse. She was startled again. This
great, uncouth creature was limiting
very plainly that he wanted the rest
of her money. To her horror he came
a step nearer.
'Tn tell you something he said
confidentially. You gimme your
purse an I'll show you a clever
trick
She backed away from him. nodding
her head and saying, her voice
shaken with the humping Of her heart,
"An right I'll give it to you !.
or, at least, I'll give you all the money.
That's what you want, isn't itr'