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 at hand and a local livery stable contained an ancient vehicle and dilapidated horse which might be hired for two days upon payment of an exorbitant fee in advance. They learned too that the railroad took a roundabout route through that part of the country and the next few stations could be reached direct by the public highway in a comparatively short space of time. It all seemed too good to be true.

The day was beautifully mild and balmy, and as they drove along the country road there seemed to be a soothing gentle hush in the atmosphere. The wheels of the carriage rolled softly over the sandy road, the leaves of the trees were unfolding silently, stirred by a tiny breeze which lifted them tenderly now and then to see that they were being properly aired and sunned on all sides, the birds hopped almost under the horse’s Rh