Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-08-24

nigh, to show she was not frightened
but, /, being close to her, could heal
her heart thudding like hammer,
whilst the blood famed to her brows
under the foul gaze rowing over her
why do you ask :''
Just this, mum. VIII you be so good
as tell him that me and my pals off to
Hulton's Ranch for 4 short spell and
if he'd like to tramp over-why, It's q
mighty 'andsOme part O. the country,
and he'd be welcome that's all.
You must be in a hurry TO CO.
said, putting in my oar, if you're trudg,
| ing twenty miles for pleasure such Il
night as this.
miles for pleasure such a night as this
oh, we didn't know as you wos in
charge here with a british laugh; but
the walk is our Lookout; the lady can
deliver a civil message, | hope
| Il will give it." interpOSed Miss
Helen, as soon as my father comes in
Much obleeged, miss; then theer's
nothin' more to add: so Wen toddle
Goodnight, miss, and he flourished
his hat again.
She shut the door upon them, draw
ing a slot bar across it. Are those
the men he works with?' she cried,
fiinging up her hands, Heaven help
u.s.:
I tried to turn the subject, stirring
the fire into a blaze, and pretending
to do a lot of things for I didn't care
to leave her. Twas my belief the two
blackguards were still hanging about
AS for their invitation to the Squire
it was but a lie invented on the mo-
ment.
/ was casting around for another job,
when she stayed me by asking if I
would go to meet her father.
But YOU
Nay; [ do not mind The little
house is secure. Why with wistful
smile, I am always alone from day
break until dark.
| / knew it was the fact; so. bidding
her open to none until she heard me
or the Squire whistle, started on my
Grand
| Not very far had / to go, for I met
him in that same little ravine of which
his daughter had dreamed; it skirted
the pine wood. His pick was over his
shoulder. his right hand in his pocket,
feeling the nuggets, perhaps. He was
singing song in some foreign lingo
content than I had seen him more
at rest, nOdding to me in his patrOniz-
ing fashion. After q few stray words,
| related what had happened, advising
him to be on his guard
Thanks, I will he replied, haught-
lily amused at the scamps asking him
to pay visit in their company. But
I've a secret to tell you Ned he added.
I have done with Green Valley Creek,
and shaken off its crew. Luck has fav-
ored me beyond my hoqes I can afford
to turn my back upon it. 7 shall take
my daughter-She does not know it yet
with me to Gouldburn tomorrow,
where we shall remain for a short
time, then go on to Melbourne; I have
thoughts of settling there
AS he spoke, the little tie of COM
radeship between us shattered; in a
moment we were sundered as the
Poles. so quietly he brushed it away.
IF you to step round early in the
morning and see us off, you can. Why,
my good fellow, you look quite down
Well, it is kind to be sorry to lose me.
We shall meet the wagons at the end
of the wood If those scoundrels intend
to dog my steps-T agree with you their
trip to Hultons is only ruse-I should
find your company useful; also, you
could help to carry our few belongings.
I paid up my rent to Johnson at the
tavern last night; perhaps you'd kindly
give him the shanty key? Why,
Straightways,' with laughing surprise,
''has my news struck you dumb?"
I felt as if it had, as if T were shot
through and through; the earth swayed
under my feet. He was condescend-
ingly gratified at my troubled state.
| taking it all to himself: he was Just
the man to do it.
You We're always an honest fellow,
Media trusty creature! Be sure that
you come tomorrow; my daughter will
like to shake hands with you before she
leaves" and he went on gaily through
the rich, thick grass.
No rest was mine that night; evil was
in the air. So, as I could not sleep, /
got up and went out. Not being a fool
I knew I must keep my misery to my
self; but my life was empty! 1t held a
vGcant place that could never be filled
never again! never again You see.
/ was hard hit, mate, like the dOnkeys
stamped and stormed at myself for a
incoming idoit What was Miss Helen
to me? What could she ever have
been to me?-a numbering vagabOnd
chap, not worthy to kiss the dust she
trod ON.
But 7 must go back and watch the
house that covered her this last night
so I returned to the ravine. In it were
many little dells swarming with the
wild flowers of the grand Australians
springs. Now in one of these same
dells what do you think / saw?-a dead
mans face. Yes, I knew at once that
he was dead; but so easily the Squire
l had heard him singing might still
have been upon his lips. Raising his
head. - found blow aimed from be-
hind had killed him He had drop
ped and died at once. His pocket
turned lining outward. were empty
Snatching up his fallen pick, I tore
on to the log house. knowing well
whom 1 should find there-my long
sharp knife was in my belt. I reached
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