CHAPTER XIAriel Custer and Judson Granniss left the trolley at Copple’s Crossing and walked down the country road silently. Jud carried a square box neatly wrapped, tied and fitted with a wooden handle, and Ariel swung a grape-basket nervously. There was about them in spite of their gravity a little air of suppressed excitement, as if there were a holiday somewhere lurking about under difficulties.
At the foot of Copple’s Hill they paused and Ariel took the box, Jud searching the high ground above him for a familiar landmark.
“There it is, Ariel that old hemlock with the big rock in front of it. That’s a good place to wait. You can see the whole town, and not be seen by people passing in the road. I hope you won’t have long to wait, for whatever comes we’re going to have the day at the o
