Part 33 (1/2)

Mr. Strout's disgust was shown in both voice and manner when Abner Stiles came in.

”Say, Abner, is it true that Sawyer boy licked Bob?”

”I should say so,” said Abner. ”He must have got an all-fired trouncing, for his face looks like a raw beefsteak, an' one of the fellers said he'd been spittin' blood.”

”Them Sawyers is brutes,” was Mr. Strout's comment. ”I hope to the Lord that he is the last one of that brood to come to this town. Their money's the best part of 'em, but it ain't any better, when you come to that, than other folkses.”

CHAPTER XX

MARY DANA

Quincy and Tom spent one more year at Andover. When they parted from the old school it was with feelings of deep regret.

”I could be happy here for ten years more,” said Quincy.

”So could I,” replied Tom. ”But, after all, this is only a narrow path in the world of knowledge. Harvard is but a street and when we get out into the world I suppose we shall find a boulevard.”

”I'm going to look down upon the world before I investigate its thoroughfares,” remarked Quincy.

”What do you mean?”

”I shall visit Fernborough for only a short time this summer, a few days in which to see the folks, and then I shall go to the White Mountains.

I'm going to stand on the top of Mount Was.h.i.+ngton, and look down on the busy hives of men.”

Tom knew Quincy had received a letter from Mary, saying that she and her aunt intended spending the summer at Fabyans, and he felt that Quincy, being near Mary, would probably be on a higher pinnacle than any mountain could supply, and the ”eternal hills” would become objects of secondary importance. But, Tom wisely refrained from mentioning these thoughts, for lovers do not seek confidants unless help is needed.

Quincy found Fernborough but little changed, During the fourteen years that he had been a resident of, or a visitor to, the town there had been but little to disturb its serenity. Goldsmith's ”Deserted Village” could not have had a better record for unbroken placidity. The wrestling match between young Quincy and Bob Wood had been an incentive to some animated conversations at meal times and at the grocery, but the ”locals” in the _Fernborough Gazette_ had never risen above the usual level of,

Hal Prentiss has bought a Jersey cow,

Strout and Maxwell have a new wagon,

William Jones has painted his fence green,

Sol. Peters cut twenty tons of hay from his lot on the Center Road,

Mrs. Jerusha May is visiting her daughter Hannah at Westvale,

And more of the same kind, interesting to a rural community but considered inconsequential by those conversant with more exciting intelligence.

But Fernborough was destined to have its share of important events, which incidentally interfered with the well laid plans of both Quincy and Mary for the vacation in the mountains.

For the first time in the town's history newsboys went through its streets, calling out ”All about the Murder at Cottonton,” and offering for sale copies of the _Cottonton Journal_. The boys held up the papers so the headlines in large type could be seen. The word ”Fernborough”

caught the eyes of those attracted by the word ”Murder” and the copies were soon disposed of, obliging many intending purchasers to share the news with those who had been fortunate enough to obtain copies.

Quincy was in Mason Square when the newsboys arrived and he purchased a paper. He glanced at the headlines and saw a name that caused him to utter an exclamation of astonishment. He did not stop to discuss the matter with any of the large crowd that had been collected, but whipping up his horse soon reached Mary's home. Leaving the animal standing in the yard he burst into the sitting room crying loudly, ”Mary! Mary!”

”Why, what is the matter, Quincy--are you hurt?”