The National tribune., 1893-06-01

more snperstitious believing that the presence
| of the man of God would eondone for whatever
unftness there might he in this nocturnal
meddling With affairs they could not under.
I stand.
! Accordingly the anxious party moved swiftly,
yet silently. toward the sacred spot, led by their
| spiritual adviser. whose thin hands were elasped
nervously over the Good Book he bad not neg
lecled to take with him, while his gaze was
| turned alternately upward in reverence and
ahead in mingled curiosity and trepidation.
| Upon nearing the place il was seen that
| someone was still lying on the grave mound,
while to their further surprise a second person
was busily engaged in uprooting the tiny
blades Of grass that formed the unhappy notice.
The last mentioned was Reuben Falconer.
who at sight of the unexpected procession
started up with alarm, and he would have fed
the place but for Squire Almont's stentorian
command to remain.
What do you want Of me2" demanded the
startled man.
Pray, what business have you on this hal
lowed ground and at this uuseemIy hour?"
asked the parson, who felt in duty bound to
say something
- calculate my errand here is as good az
yours" replied Reuben Falconer, recovering
bis selfpossession. THAT plaguey boy will
persist in spending half Of bis time here. and
came to get him home. Seeing that grass
there / pulled it up, and think you would
have done the same under similar ciEcum-
stances"
At that moment Jimmie arose from his re-
eumbent position to stare vacautly upon the
crowd.
Some explanation Is needed of this singular
state OF affairs" said Parson Venerable and
we have concluded that you are the proper
person to make it. Mister FaIconer."
Ne make an explanation" replied the
other and if he were assembling he was good
actor. i should think / was the one to de-
mand an explanation. l have been treated
outrageously, and if / can find out who the
perpetrator is will punish him to the extent
of the law"
Come, Jimmie, let's go home'
Let the boy tell what he knowsI" ex-
claimed one of the spectators
Yes" retorted Falconer. showing some
temper suppose you would let an idiot
swear away an honest mans life aud honor
defy one OF you TO find an act of mine which
will not bear judgment But if the boy has
anything to say, | want him TO speak. Jimmie
II you have any complaint To make, tell it,
Il want to go with poor fatherI I don't
want to stay here any longer" was Jimmies
simple reply.
see but one way to settle this puzzIing
leave it with Him who has thought best to
bring forth these perplexing accusations Sure
ly, lie will not stop here if there be truth in
what has been done. Go home. Mr.. Falconer,
and rest assured that our faith i'm you shall
remain mistaken If no further Developments
of this kind follow. But if there are further
manifestations -
The parson did not complete his sentence,
but his meaning was understood by all.
Them's my sentiments" affirmed the
Squire. The parson has hit the nail right on
the head, and / am sure t'others are willing to
let the matter be decided in that way"
The parties separated with this understand
ing and All agreement that q faithful watch
should be kept over the place. though for what
reason the last should be done no one could
have told to his own satisfaction.
An anxleus week followed without any
craven revelation to break its suspense. Reuben
Falconer appeared uncoucermed, whatever his
real feelings. while the l0olxers-on grew inn
patient as those who have nothing at stake
will. for something to happeni
Their morbid desires seemed answered when
it was told that another symbol had appeared
OH the guarded grave! This time it grew into
the sembIance of a cross
The news spread like wildfre, until it seemed
the entire town had lost its senses Firm in
their convictions of Reuben Falc0ner's guilt
his arrest was demanded by all in terms not to
not to be found.
Jimmie was at the house, however suffering
from raging fever, and while the Sheriff and
his posse pursued the fugitive others cared for
the sick boy. The latter was rational by spells.
when his lips were sealed over the secrets of
his heart. At intervals his mind would uu-
burden itself in wild, inceherent rawlings, of
which the following examples are sufficient to
explain the whole mystery:
saw you put the poison in his cup-ohI
don't strike. uncle! will never-never tel!D
Then, the haggsrd look of fear succeeded by
mournful expression, he continued: II wanted
them to know, fatherl I felt I must tell
somehow! l had seen you make the grass
grow on the sand by sowing on plaster and then
The seed. l have done tin the shape Of let
tiers! No one saw me. / will not tell-never!
But they must kuuw-somehow
The officer and his followers returned later
without their victim. and that night horse
returned without its rider!