"
Soon they reached a broad, level plateau, and, a little way off, could
see the lights coming from a low-lying group of buildings. Several dogs
came rushing down with barks of welcome, and a couple of men lounging
near one of the corrals removed the bars of a huge gate, from which the
path led up to the largest of the buildings. It was a rambling structure
only two stories in height, but covering a vast extent of ground and
suggestive of homely comfort and hospitality. A broad veranda extended
along three sides of the house, and in front a well-kept flower garden
bordered the path that led to the door.
As they approached, heralded by the noisy greeting of the dogs, the door
was thrown wide open and Mrs. Melton appeared in the flood of light that
streamed from within.
She was a pleasant-faced, motherly-looking woman, and she welcomed the
boys with open arms. There was no mistaking the warmth and sincerity of
her greeting. They felt at home at once and in a few minutes were
chatting and laughing as easily as though they had known her for years.
Perhaps the memory of her own two boys, dead long since, but who would
have been just about the age of the newcomers had they lived, added to
the hearty cordiality with which she took them under her wing.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43