Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-09-13
CHAPTER XIII
our HEROINE.

OUR HEROINE.
Oakhurst found a carriage for Mrs. Nor
cross. and accompanied her to a private
boarding house, where she took lodgings; he
then sent the driver back for her trunks, aud,
having seen her comfortably provided for,
returned to his own rooms, but not to remain
there. He desired only TO cave a message
on his door, explaining his absence. IN less
than an o he was in a Tailway-train, on
his way to Ralston. It seemed to him a train
never before went SO slowly. At each station
where coal and water were to be taken, ii
seemed to him the delay was interminable
His eager desire shot along the track like cleo
tricity and when at last he reached the
place where he was to leave the train, he had
gone through a year of ordinary hopes and
fears. He mounted the stage-box and took
his seat beside the buffalo-clad, coarse
bearded and grim driver. The road lay
through a billy country, with many roman
tic views on either hand. 1t was late in the
season to see the full glories of autumn; but
the trees were not yet bare, and IN many
places the contrasts Of color were exquisite.
For once the driver found his match; he had
a passenger as taciturn as himself. For the
first few miles not a word was spoken, saving
a few brief threats to the horses; but at last
Jehu could hold out no longer; his reputation
was in danger, if he allowed any one TO be
more silent than himself, and he cautiously
commenced a skirmish.
"From New YorkE'
A nod was the only reply.
Belong about hereE'
"No," with a shake of the head.
ben up here afore though, / guess9"
"Yes.p
Thought 1 remembered. Year or Sc
aso."
ayes"
"Had a great white cotton umbrill, a box
like a shoe-kit, and suthin' like a pair 0
clo'es framesN
Oakhurst could but smile at the description
of his easel and artists outfit; still he con
tented himself with a brief assent.
"Keeps tight as the bark to a white oak,
muttered Jehu to himself. "Guess I'll try
him on t'other side, SEEM he's so ofish."
Then aloud
"Knowed Square Field, | blieve!r
Eyes" Numbered Oakhurst, looking furi
ously at the questioner.
The glance frightened Jehu's soul from til,
red curtained windows, where il had beer
peeping out, back to its h~iding-place, wher
ever that might he.
well, yer needn't bite a feller's head of,
muttered he, in the same undertone as be
fore. "And if we a to keep to yerself
shet up yer darned oyster-shell, and see how
much you make by it. Not more'n -four ant
sixpence, l guess. Maybe you'll come bach
bouts wise as ye come"
Thenceforward Buffalo Goa was grim
his admonitions to the horses were a trin,
more emphatic; once he whiStled a fragment
- :, 4.s,,. at.rn l,A .wal.. -. - a.
the coach reached the tavern door.
%You can drive to Mr.. Fields house" saif
Oakhurst.
"Want to so where he is" replied Jehu
with a sardonic grin. oval, Tn goin' 1as
the meetin'us, and III set We down at tb,
graveyard
"What do you meanT' asked Oakhurst
between anger and terror, at this brutal jest
"Why, he's dead, you know, and ben layin
there ON the side hill a fortnight"
Take me TO the house, nevertheless
"Field's housel 'SLah Stebbi"s. the lam.
.hoemaker, he's jest moved into't. Miss
Stebbins, she can't 'commodate We, most
shove nea., nuther."
"Where is Miss Field-Agnes-his dargh-
arT'
sWal, can't say-gone of, 1 bTieve.p
sShe has relatives here, has she potF'
Guess not; never heerd of any
With a heavy heart Oakhurst alighted al
the tavern. Mr., Field dead Agnes left
alone without friends, and now gonei The
thought stunned, overpowered him. While
be had been treading the paths of ~dalliance,
torgetful of his obligations, the poor girl had
passed through the great trial of her life, the
loss Of her only parent and protector-had
met the awful hour alone. Hardly c~onsciou: