The Argosy, April 1916 — page 52: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

42 “Well, one grumbled about the road and the jolting. The other said that pretty soon we would be in the main road, and turn left, toward Trenton Falls and Rem- sen. I didn’t know Remsen, but Trenton Falls struck a half familiar chord. “T made up my mind to perform a circus trick right there, or die. I thought they might intend to kill me anyway, but couldn’t guess why. Well, the dear kind lady who was driving had a whip with which she belabored the poor horse. The other dear lady, having had her whisky, was relaxing. “IT made a jump to the front seat, snatched the whip, leaped over the dash- board on to the horse’s back, and raced him over rocks and ridges. Those women screamed something to scare devils out of their wits. First one went head first out of the surrey, and then the surrey itself was wrecked, and the other was dumped into the ditch I had chosen as her resting place. “T rode on a while, then unharnessed from the wreck, and kept on to find your house. Luckily I called it Mr. Yale’s farm, and your grandfather’s name was Yale. If he had been your mother’s father I would have had some difficulty. © “Well, you had described the place pretty well, and when I saw a vacant farmhouse and no animals, but an old stone mill, I knew it was yours. I put the horse out to grass, threw the harness up in a tree, broke a window, and got in. Very much to my surprise I found the house completely fur- nished.”’ “My grandfather was a very old man,” said Yale, “and when he determined to give up farming and live in the hotel at Trenton Falls he rented the place as it was, all furnished. He had no use for the furni- ture, and got more rent.” “Well, I was here. I—” “Why did you choose my house as a ref- uge?” Again she gave that long, inexplicable look, from darkening eyes. “Because I knew you would come.” “T am here, go on.” “There isn’t much to tell. After waiting till I felt safe I went on a tour of discov- ery. I found a little old cottage on the creek, with a funny little old woman, and Adolphus, her son, whom you have seen. I told them I was house hunting—farm hunting, rather, and wanted.to see Mr. Latimer Yale’s house, and asked where I THE ARGOSY. could get the keys. had them.” “Dolly?” “Adolphus, you know. That isn’t his real name. I don’t know what it is. The old lady can’t speak intelligible English at all. Dolly came with me, and I liked the place. Why note I went back with him, and he explained that I would take it. “Well, there I was now in a pickle. What would a lone girl want of a farm? I had to invent a husband. And I had no money, and was hungry. So I told them— Dolly acting as interpreter—that my hus- band would be along soon, and he would pay a deposit and also pay for what I wanted. “T bought some bread and eggs and but- ter and a little coffee and tea—oh, and some of the finest bacon! ‘Then with my key I came back. I spent the night very comfy. In the morning while I was cook- ing my breakfast what did I see but you stumbling out of the woods and falling flat on your face.” “Your husband.” “Temporarily, my husband of conven- ience. Otherwise—well, no need of going into that. I dragged you here, and went Sure enough, Dolly after Dolly. He’s a good soul, Dolly is. Like a big ox, obeys orders and asks no questions. He did look funny, though, when I said we’d bring you up here.” “And why did your There are other rooms more convenient.” “Plenty. But I didn’t know what had happened to you. And I—” “Yes,” he said, as she hesitated. “I was going to hide you if they came to arrest you—the police, I mean. To avoid unpleasant conjectures, I explained to Adolphus that you were my husband, and had enemies. “Fe took it all with his imperturbable face, and perhaps he believes, perhaps not. Anyway, he is awfully good. He undressed you, and when I had gone through your pockets and found your money, and my handkerchief—by the way, how ever did you—” “‘That’s my story,” he interrupted. on with yours.” “Oh, that’s about all. I sent Dolly to buy things, and his mother told us what to do. He did the man’s work, and I the woman’s, and now, thank God, you are go- ing to get well.” “Yes, I am going to get well. You might, “Co COMmiclboo S (©