Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1910 — The Road Maher [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Road Maher

'‘D’ you know you’re trespassing?” The speaker was a young man faultlessly dressed. He was speaking to a man some twelve years hlB 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?” * “As you were kind enough 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 spent fifteen years among them in Canada.” “Did you ever cut roads through iem?” , “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 through those trees' to the shore.” “Well, if you’re anxious for me to do it, I win.” "Come along to the house and we’ll fix things up.” / Raymond went with him to the house and presently they were deep in the plans for the new road. Suddenly the doctr bijrst open and a girl entered. "Come and play tennis, jimmy,” she cried. Then she saw Basil Raymorfd and her pyetty 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, she gazed frigidly at Raymond for a moment, and then turned to her cousin. “You won’t be coming, then fr” she - asked: - ; “Sorry, old girl, hut I can’t leave this.’*

Miss Blaketon bowed to Raymond and left the did not smile this time. Work was commenced on the following morning. During the early evening, Basil Raymond strolled up to the wood and sut 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 13,” replied Lord Winstead; "or I hope he will be.” . “But you told me he was only a backwoodsman, Jimmy. He’s a fine, OLanly 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 beyon'd Raymond’s hearing. “So I'm an outsider,” he said. “I dm beyond the pale in my lady'Constance’s eyes.” On 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 received 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 mot 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. "Raymond!” 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 his head until the work was finished. Constance Blaketon - -grew angrier each Second. She could not tell why tills man affected her so, why she had auch a passionate desire to bumble — him.--' . —*** —— ~ - ■ “Why did you not come when I tailed,”' she demanded indignantly, when at length Raymond walked across to her.

I *1 toad my work to do, Miss Blueton,” toe’said calmly. Constance gave him a few curt directions, at the conclusion of which he returned to his work and dispatched a couple oi men to hunt for the glove, which they speedily found. Two days passed without Raymond ,see!ng 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 he? I dare Bay he’ll open your eyes to-night, Jimmy. You’ve only worked with him bo 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 might 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 appearance, and he could not resist the temptation of grinning joyfully at his cousin. As dinner Basil bore himself as though he. were in his accustomed place, 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 sed. ’ 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 presumed 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,” said Raymond. Then he turned on his heel and left her. Directly he left her Constance was bitterly repeptant. 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, & “Ib « true you are toraarryLord Winstead V he asked one evening. “It has always been understood," she replied, . "Do you care for him?” “Tell me, Constance." he whispered. "Do . yon?” ** ... ... „ No word poosed the girl's trembling

lips, but her head drooped: toe are* ber to him. and aha did not resist. Bending, he kissed Her llos. "But, Basil,” she said presently, “I must marry my cousin. We ougk* not ” "Your cousin came into the title because there was no direct male descendant, didn’t he?" "Yes, and aunt has the title of duel* 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 ants his father had a very bitter quarrel, and Cordon —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. I made a large fortune in Canada, but I never had aqy desire to be 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 lad’s heart.” “But, Basil, what a sacrifice!” “Not at all, dear, it’s myself I’m pleasing. You’ll still be marrying Lord Winsteali 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 DID YOU NOT COME?”