Part 15 (1/2)

”Two years makes a great difference in children,” said Mrs. Ashford.

”That's so,” Hiram a.s.sented. ”Well, I reckon we'd better be moving.”

”How I dread the steep hills,” said Mrs. Ashford as they were being helped into the wagon after the baggage had been stowed away. ”I do hope your horses are safe, Hiram. Now, Marty, be sure to hold on with both hands when we come to the worst places.”

”Don't you be 'fraid, Mrs. Ashford; there isn't a mite of danger,” said Hiram, gathering up the reins. ”Get up!”

”Get up!” cried Freddie, who had watched the process of getting started with the greatest interest, and who was now holding a pair of imaginary reins in one tiny fist and flouris.h.i.+ng an imaginary whip with the other.

Hiram laughed aloud. That Freddie could walk was funny enough, but that he could talk and make believe drive was too much for Hiram. It was some time before he got over it.

”How's Evaline?” asked Marty. ”Why didn't she come to meet us?”

”She's spry. She wanted to come along down, but her ma was afraid 'twould crowd you.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: They approached an open, level place from which there was a magnificent view. Page 113]

After a drive of about three miles among the mountains, the winding road gradually ascending, with here and there a somewhat steep incline, they approached an open, level place from which there was a magnificent view of what Marty called the ”real mountains.” For these wooded or cultivated hills they were driving among were only the beginnings of the range. Here was a cl.u.s.ter of houses and a white frame ”hotel” with green blinds.

”They've been doing right smart of building in Riseborough since you were up,” said Hiram to Mrs. Ashford. ”You see the hotel's done, and Sims has built him a new store, and Mrs. Clarkson's been building on to her cottage.”

”Is the hotel a success?” asked Mrs. Ashford.

”First-rate. Full all last summer, and Dutton expects a lot of folks this season. A big party came up t'other day.”

They had a chance to see the guests at the hotel, ladies on the piazzas and children playing in the green yard, while Hiram stopped to do an errand at the store, which was also the postoffice.

Nearly another mile of up-hill brought them to their destination--a brown farmhouse with its red barns and granaries standing in the midst of smiling fields and patches of cool, dark woods, while in the distance rose grand, solemn mountains.

There was Evaline, seated on the low gatepost, and Mrs. Stokes and her grownup daughter, Almira, in the doorway, all on the lookout and ready to wave their handkerchiefs the moment the wagon appeared.

”It's more like going to see some cousins or something than being summer-boarders, isn't it, mamma?” said Marty.

”Here we all are, Mrs. Stokes!” cried Mrs. Ashford from the wagon.

”Quite an addition to your family.”

”The more the merrier! I'm right down glad to see you,” said good-natured Mrs. Stokes, coming to lift the children down and kissing them heartily.

The travellers were very tired after their long day's journey. Mrs.

Ashford and Marty were ready to do justice to the good supper provided, but Freddie was only able to keep his eyes open long enough to eat a little bread and milk. The next morning, however, he was as bright as a b.u.t.ton, and took to country life so naturally that he was out in the yard feeding the chickens before his mother knew what he was about.

CHAPTER XIV.

A PLAN AND A TALK.

Marty so enjoyed being back at the farm, and there was so much to see and to do, that for four or five days she could think of nothing else.

She and Evaline raced all over the place, climbing trees and fences, playing in the barn or down in the wood, paddling in the little brook, riding on the hay-wagon, and going with the boy to bring home the cows.