The Maid-At-Arms

We drew bridle at the cross-roads; he stretched his legs in his stirrups, raised his arms, yawned, and dropped his huge hands upon either thigh with a resounding slap. "Well, good-bye," he said, gravely, but made no movement to leave me. "Do we part here?" I asked, sorry to quit my chance acquaintance of the Johnstown highway.

He nodded, yawned again, and removed his round cap of silver-fox fur to scratch his curly head. "We certainly do part at these cross-roads, if you are bound for Varicks'," he said.I waited a moment, then thanked him for the pleasant entertainment his company had afforded me, and wished him a safe journey. "A safe journey?" he repeated, carelessly. "Oh yes, of course; safe journeys are rare enough in these parts.

I'm obliged to you for the thought. You are very civil, sir. Good-bye."