Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/254

 one, think as one. Unity would be gained. They could wind back on the spool the white threads of road that amble in and out through the country. They would not be needed. Then everybody would be satisfied."

As he spoke he walked over and threw himself at full-length beneath a maple tree. He raised his arms above his head and stretched luxuriously. Jethro Trent sat down beside him. He was interested in this chance passerby. Who he was, nor where he came from, he did not know nor did he care. It sufficed that he was there, an interesting companion to converse with for awhile by the roadside.

The stranger was tall, he gave the appearance of strength but he was inclined to be thin. His clothes were of the simplest blue-serge material. He wore no hat and his dark brown hair was rather long and curly. His chief distinction lay in his strong bronzed face, a face of intelligence and character, a rather good-natured face and at the same time a trifle sad. There was a suggestion of sadness about his lips even though he was almost always