Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-26


Ike to have mastered me before the task was
ended. But managed to lower the body
softly into the hole and to cover it reverently
from sight, and afterwards stood leaning on
my spade and feeling very light in the head,
while the girl knelt and prayed for her IA
theirs soul
And the picture Of her es she knelt is the
last 1 remember, till 1 opened my eyes, and
wss amazed TO find myself on my back, and
staring up az darkness.
what has hAppenedI"
''I think you are very ILL.," said a voice;
"can you lean on me, and reach the hutr'
why, yes-that is, think so. Why Is
everything darkp
THE sun has keen down for hours. You
have been in a swoon first, and then talked
oh, such nonsensei Shame on me to let you
catch this chillF'
She helped me to my feet and steadied me,
and how we reached the hut I cannot tell
you. It took more than one weary hour, as
now know; but at the time hours and min
utes were one to me.
In that hut lay four nights and four days
between ague fit and fever, and that is all the
account can give of the time, save that on
the second day the girl left me alone in the hut
and descended to the plain, where, after ask
forced TO be content with an old woman re-
puted 70 be amazingly well skilled in herbs and
medicines, whom after day trial she turned
out Of doors. On the fourth day, fearing for
my life she mnde another descent and, COM
iHR to n wayside tavern, purchased pint OF
aqua Vita, carried it back and naked a po-
ton that threw me into a profuse sweat.
The same evening l sat up, sound man.
Indeed, 50 thoroughly was l recovered,
that, waking early next morning and finding
my sweet nurse asleep from sheer WEAKNESS in
. 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. footstep aroused me- Twas Mis-
tres Delia; and, turning, held out my hand.
Now this is famous, said she; "a day or
two will see you good man as ever"
"a day or two! Tomorrow, at latest,
shall make trial to start" noted a sudden
change on her face, and added, Indeed, you
must hear my reasons before setting ME down
for an ingrate;" and told her.of the kings
letter that l carried. II hoped that for q
while our ways might lie together" said 1;
and broke of, for she was looking me earn
sstly in the face.
''Sir, as you know, my brother Anthony
was to have met me-nay, for PHYS sake
turn not your face awayI have guessed
the sword you carry-I marked it. Sir, be
merciful, and tell meln
led her a little aside to the foot of a 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 thing to be |
stricken thus that l, who had dealt the blow,
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 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-listcn. If ever it befel you to lose
father or mother or dearly loved friend, you
will know how the anguish stuns- Oh, sirl
today the sun seemed fallen out of heaven |
and l, blind creature, left cropping in the
void Indeed, sir, tits no wonder; / had a
father, brother and servant ready to die for
ne-three hearts to love and lean on; and to-
day they are gone"
| would have spoken, but she held up her
hand
snow when you spoke Of Anthony-a dear
By little and little, as the truth grew palmer,
the pain grew also past bearing. stood up
and staggered into the woods to escape it.
went fast and straight, needing nothing, for
at first my senses were all confused; but in q
while the walking cleared my wits, and
could think, and thinking / could weep; and
having wept, could fortify my heart. Here
is the upshot, sir-though tits held immodest
for a maid TO ask even far less Of a man. We
are both bound for COrnwall-you on an
honorable mission, l for my fathers estate of
Gleys, wherefrom tas your tale proves some
unseen hands are thrusting me- Alike we
carry our lives in our hands. You must 90
forward; may not go back. For from
king who cannot right his own affairs there
il little hope; and in Cornwall | have surer
friends than he Therefore take me, sir
take me for a comradel Am Sadi Do you
fear weary jOurneyl | will smile-laugh-
sing-put sorrow behind me. | will cOntrive
q thousand ways to cheat the milestones At
the first hint of tears, discard me, and go
your way with no prick of conscience. Only
try mech, the shame of speaking thusln
Her voice had grown more rapid towards
the close; and now, breaking off, she put both
hands to cover her face, that was hot with
bushes. l went over and took them in mine
"You have made me the blithest man
alive said l.
She drew back pace with a frightened
look, and would have pulled her hands away.
Because" went on. quickly, ''you have
paid me this high compliment, to trust me-
Proud was to listen to you; and merrily
STill the miles pass with you for comrade
And 50 l say-MistresS Killigrew, take me
for your servant"
To my extreme discompoSure, as dropped
her hands, her eyes were twinkling with
laughter.
''Desr now; 1 see dull prospect ahead If |
We use these long titles"
But
Indeed, sir, please yourself. Only as
intend to call you jack, perhaps Della will |
Be more Of q piece than Mistress Killigrew.'"
She dropped me a mock courtesy "And |
now, Jack, be good boy, and hitch me this |
quilt across the hut. l bought it yesterday, |
at cottage below here
She ended the sentence with the prettiest |
blush imaginable; and so, having fixed her |
screen, we shook hands ON our comradeship |
and wished each other good night.
CHAPTER VIII
I LOSE THE KINGS LETTKR
Almost before daylight we were afoot, and |
the first ray of cold sunshine found US step |