Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1910 — The Road Maker [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Road Maker

The speaker was a young man faultlessly dressed. He was speaking to a man some twelve years his senior, who was 'seated on a tree trunk, smoking a pipe. “I’m Lord Winstead, and this is my property.” “And a nice property, too. I congratulate your lordship." “I say, you’re a pretty cool hand. Who are you?” t “As you were kind enouglj to tell me your name I .will return the compliment. My name is Raymond, Basil Raymond.” He paused for a few seconds and then added, “Those are fine trees ahead.” “Do you * know anything about trees?” ' “I’ve ppent fifteen years among them in Canada.” “Did you ever cut roads through 'em?” “Several.” “I say, you’re just the man I want. D’you want a, job?” “Depends what the job Is.” "Why. I’ve always wanted to cut a road thrdtlgh those trees to the shore.” • “Well, if you’re anxious for me to do it, I will.” “Come,along to the house and we’ll fix things up.” Raymond went with him to the housß“aff(TTpßPßggHlly They "were deep In the plans for the new road. Suddenly the door burst open and a girl entered. "Come and play tennis, Jimmy,” she cried. Then she saw Basil Raymond and her pretty face flushed. "Let me Introduce you,” said Lord Winstead. “My cousin, Miss Constance Blaketon, Mr. Raymond.” “Mr. Raymond is going to make a road through the wood to the shore,’ Lord Winstead continued. The smile faded from the girl’s eyes, •he gazed frigidly at Raymond for a moment, and then turned to her cousin. "You won’t be coming, then?” she isked. “Sorry, old girl, but I can’t leave :i_ this.” Miss Blaketon bowed to Raymond and left the room—she did not smile this time. * Work was commenced on the following morning. During the early Bvening, Basil Raymond strolled' up to the wood and sat again on the tree trunk where Lord Winstead had found him. “It’s a queer state of affairs,” he murmured thoughtfully. "By Jove! What a lovely girl Miss Blaketon is.” The next instant'he heard the object of his admiration speaking. "Fancy introducing me as you did; I thought he was a friend of yours.” “So he Is,” replied Lord Winstead; "or I hope he will be.” “But you told me he was only a backwoodsman, Jimmy. He’s a fine, manly looking fellow, but he’s hardly a suitable friend for a man of your position.” “Oh, dry up, Con, don’t rot so much.” The voices died away as they passed beyond Raymond’s hearing. “So I’m an outsider,” he said. “I am beyond the pale in my lady Constance’s eyes.” Oh the first morning of the tree felling, Miss Blaketon walked along with Lord Winstead. Basil Raymond raised his hat as he saw her, but only re-

ceived a somewhat curt nod in reply. / He\flushed to the roots of his hair, but continued to Issue directions In calm, level tones. Constance Blaketon did not notice the flush; as a matter of fact, it was lost in the tan. She had meant to crush this man who apparently did not know his place, but evidently she had failed. "Raymondl” she called suddenly, “I want you to look for my glove.” ' She had dropped it on purpose —so that she might call Raymond. To her surprise, Basil did not move. He was directing the felling of a large elm, and he did not turn bis head until the work was finished; Constance Blaketon grew angrier each second. She could not tell why this man affected her eh, "why she had such a passionate desire to humble him. “Why did you not come when I sailed,” she demanded Indignantly, when at length Rayfnond walked across, to her.

had my work to do. Miss Bladeton,” he said calmly. Constance gave him a few curt directions, at the conclusion of which he. returned to his work and dispatched a couple of men to hunt for the glove, which they speedily found. Two days passed without Raymond seeing Constance, and then he received an invitation to dine with the Winsteads, which he readily accepted. Constance was much annoyed with her cousin for issuing the invitation. "Have you invited the other men as well?” she asked. “Oh, dry up. Con. Raymond’s a gentleman, anyone can see that.” "Is heft I dare say he'll open your eyes to-night, Jimmy* You’ve only worked with him so far, remember. - I suppose I shall be expected to sit down with him.”

“You can jolly well please yourself, Con," said Winstead angrily. “I dare say he’d be better pleased If you didn’t" “No doubt, there would be one less to watch his agonies in that case.” “Rot!" Winstead flung himself off to the billiard room, but was too annoyed to make any decent shots. Despite Miss Blaketon’s sarcastic comments, she appeared that night in a ravishing dinner gown. Constance wore an air of affected calm, really she felt nervous, for she knew she had severely snubbed Raymond, although the fact did not seem to have worried him. “You ought not to have dressed, Jimmy. Your foreman will feel very much out of place in his tweed suit.” Just then the door opened. “Mr. Raymond,” announced a footman. In walked Raymond, garbed in immaculate evening dress and looking so distinguished, that a beaming smile took the place of the usual placid expression on the face of the duchess. Lord Winstead absolutely glowed with delight at his protege’s .appear'ance, and he could not resist the temptation of grinning Joyfully at his cousin.

As dinner Basil bore himself as though he were In' hi# accustomed pla6e, and conversed freely with Winstead and his mother. Constance had very little to say, the complete overthrow of her predictions seeming to

have rendered her dumb. However, she knew she was looking her best, and Constance Blaketon at her best was very delightful to see. Next morning Raymond was the roadmaker again, and when Constance visited the scene’of operations she was the daughter of Lady Blaketon. Consequently. she nodded only slightly in response'to Raymond’s bow. A sturdy old oak was being rooted up, and Basil was eyeing anxiously Its far-reaching branches. “Miss Blaketon,” he cried at length, “you had better move farther back.”

Constance perked up immediately and flashed a withering glance at Raymond. \ “Miss Blaketon, it Is dangerous to stand where you are. Will you please go farther back?”

Constance took not the slightest notice. From overhead came a sudden harsh cracking noise and she gazed up in a fright to see a huge branch hanging menacingly over her. Raymond raced up to her side, gathered her up in his strong arms, and carried her out of danger. "Silly little girl,” he muttered as he had taken hold of her. He had spoken the words more to himself, but Constance had heard them. This, with the fact that he had preeumed to carry her, brought the hot, angry blood to her face. “How dare you?” she cried. "I beg your pardon if I have offended you," Bald Raymond. Then he turned on his heel and left her. Directly he left her Constance was bitterly repentant. How she detested herself, detested the wretched pride which made her behave to Raymond as she did. But although she strove against her feelings, she found herself constantly going down to the new road. She humbled herself sufficiently to thank Raymond for what he had done, but those words, “Silly little girl," constantly rang in her ears. Gradually, however, she ceased to find objection to them, and they took on a sort of guarding expression that was almost a caress. Presently, she found herself repeating them as though she treasured them. And she wondered. She became intimate with Basil, until It grew to be a recognized thing for him to leave the road and walk through the park with her. “Is it true you are to marry Lord Winstead?" he asked one evening. “It has always been understood,” she replied. "Do you care for him?” “Tell me, Constance,” he whispered. "Do your No word passed the girl’s trembling

lips, but her head drooped; he are* her to him. and ebe did not resist. Bending, he kissed her tins. “But, Basil,” she said presently, "X must marry my cousin. We oug>* . not.. .1~. ~ —..... ‘tjour cousin came into the title because there was no direct male descendant, didn’t he?" "Yes, and aunt has the title of ducM ess by courtesy. The late duke had one son, but he has not been heard of for thirteen years, and the law has accepted his death. He and his father had a very bitter quarrel, and Gordon —that was his name—left home and has never been heard of since.” “Never?" The girl started and then peered Intently into Raymond’s face. “You?” she whispered. “Listen, Constance. J made a large fortune in Canada, but I never had any desire to he a duke. I wanted to be free. Had your cousin been a waster I should have declared myself; but he is a good lad and will make a better duke than I ever should." “You tell him.”

“No, dear; it would break the )ad!s heart." “But, Basil, what a sacrifice!” “Not at all, dear, it’s myself I’m pleasing. You’ll still be marrying Lord .Winstead if you marry me, Constance.” *"What will they say, aunt and Jimmy?” “We must brave it out, you and I, dear. Are you ready to?” "Yes, Basil, with you I’d brave anything.”—Cassell’s Saturday Journal.

“WHY DIP YOU NOT COME?”