Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20

the second day the girl left me alone in the hut
and descended to the plain, where, after ask
ing at many cottages for physician, she was
forced to be content with an old woman re-
puted to be amazingly well skilled in herbs and
medicines, whom after days. trial she turned
out of doors. On the fourth day, fearing for
my life, she made another descent, and, com
ing to a wayside tavern, purchased pint Of
aqua Vita, carried it back and mixed a po-
ton that threw me into a profuse sweat.
The same evening | sat up, a sound man.
Indeed, SO thoroughly was | recovered,
that, waking early next morning and finding
my sweet nurse asleep from sheer WEAKNESS in
n corner of the hut, staggered up from my
bed of dried bracken and out into the pure
air. Rare it was to stand and drink it in like
wine. A footstep aroused me- Twas Mis-
tress Della and turning, held out my hand.
"Now this is famous" said she; "a day or
two will see you as good man as ever"
"a day or two2 Tomorrow, at latest
shall make trial to start" l noted a sudden
change on her face and added, "Indeed, you
must hear my reasons before setting me down
for an ingrate;n and told her Of the kings
letter that | carried. 81 hoped that for a
while our ways might lie together" said l.;
and broke off for she was looking me earn
estly in the face
"Sir, as you know, my brother Anthony
was to have met me-nay, for PHYS sake
turn not your face awayl | have guessed
the sword you carry-l marked it. Sir, be
merciful, and tell mel"
led her little aside to the foot of tall
pine; and there, though it wrung my heart,
| told her all, and left her to wrestle with this
| final sorrow. She was SO tender a thing to be
Ictr hi that I ba1 ha
crept back to the hut, covering my eyes. In
an hours time looked out She was gone.
At nightfall she returned, white with grief
and fatigue; yet was glad to see her eyes
| red and swollen with weeping. Throughout
| our supper she kept silence; but when twas
over she looked up and spoke in a steady
| tone:
Sir, have favor to ask, and must risk
being held importunate"-
From you to me-" put in, "all talk OF
favors had best be dropped"
| "No-listen If ever it befell you to lose
father or mother or dearly loved friend, you
| will know how the anguish stuns- Oh, sir
| today the sun seemed fallen out Of heaven
and l, a blind creature, left groping in the
void. Indeed, sir, it's no wonder; l had g
father, brother and servant ready to die fol-
me--three hearts to love and lean on and to
day they are gone"
| would have spoken, but she held up heI
hand.
Now when you spoke Of Anthony dear
| ad!-I lay for some time dazed with grief
By little and little, as the truth grew palmer
the pain grew also past bearing. | stood W
and staggered into the woods to escape it.
went fast and straight, needing nothing, fol
at first my senses were all confused; but in
while the walking cleared my wits, and
could think, and thinking l could weep; enc
having wept, could fortify my heart. Her
is the upshot, sir-though it's held immodes
for maid to ask even tar less of man. W
are both bound for Cornwall-you on al
honorable mission | for my fathers estate o
Gleys, wherefrom las your tale proves SOM
unseen hands are thrusting me. Alike w
carry our lives in our hands You must g
forward; l may not go back. For from
king who cannot right his own affairs Their
is little hope and in Cornwall have sure
friends than he. Therefore take me, sir
take me for a contradict Am l sadl Do yol
fear weary journey will snile--laugh-
sing-put sorrow behind me. | will contriv
a thousand ways to cheat the milestOnes. A
the first hint of tears, discard me, and G
your way with no prick of conscience. Onl
try me-oh the shame of speaking thus!"
Her voice had grown more rapid toward
the close; and now, breaking off, she put bot
hands to cover her face that was hot wit
bushes. / went over and took them in mine
"You have made mo the blthest ma
alive" said l.
She drew back a pace with a frightene
look, and would have pulled her hands away
Because" went on quickly, 'you hav
: paid me this high compliment, to trust me
Proud was l to listen to you; and merrill
will the miles pass with you for comradt
2 And so l say-Mistress Killigrew, take m
for your servant"
!, To my extreme discomposure, as l droppe
! her hands, her eyes were twinkling Wit
! laughter.
a Dear now; see a dull prospect ahead
/ we use these long titles"
! "But"--
"lndeed, sir, please yourself. Only as
! intend to call you Jack, perhaps Della wi
i be more of piece than Mistress Killigrew.
/ She dropped NE mock courtesy. IAN
now, Jack, be good boy, and hitch me til
o quilt across the hut bought it yesterda.
' at cottage below here'--
+ She ended the sentence with the prettie
!, blush imaginable; and SO, having fixed HI
r screen, we shook hands on our comradesh
and wished each other good night.