Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-04
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII
1--WE must bring him here and at
once. 1t is the only thing to do" Vance
said to Major Ovcrton as the struggling
daylight fell full ON the tall, dead man,
SO straight and stock and still. The old
man nodded, saying:
Eyes. 1t will take half day to get
out Of this wilderness. Besides we could
never carry him, and to come back
he stopped with half shudder-"is i'm
possible and impolitic," Vance finished.
Even az they spoke came anoise of pick
and shovel outside. Dozens of rusty tools
lay under the rotting sheds about, and
willing hands were plying them to put
out Of sight tho poor, reckless creature,
who had paid the fullest penalty of his
sins. BY time tho sun was above the
tree tops long grave had been scooped
in the little glade back Of the old house.
Dare at the springside, her face, her
hands, refreshed and spotless, turned to
Allen, saying softly:
ASK them, please, grandfather and
Mr.. Hildreth, if wo may line the grave
with boughs and put others above him. 1"
Surely we may, Allen said, pressing
her soft palm to his cheek MY Dare,
1t is like you thus to do good to them
that despitefully use you. We will
mako together for our enemy green
bed and give him pillow of flowers"
Hand in hand thoy went about the
wood pluclling sheaves Of goldenrod,
stalks of cardinal flower, Of iron weed
and early asters. Allen had spoken a lit
tie apart with tho gravediggers. AL
ready they had torn flat, leafy boughs
from the thicket and covered with their
green all the dank cold clay. Across the
western end Of tho narrow yawning pit
Allen laid the flower sheaves fresh from
Daro's hand. And down in that cool and
flowery darkness they laid Royal Cleve,
his two hands folded peacefully under
moro green leaves, TO await the summons
% which I'LL life Inust answer for the
deeds done in the body
Thea. Vii houen weight had been
l5ftoG frWuall souls, tho ctyalcado made
it way GAG Of tho wilderness Major
Ovcrtnn's horse had boon left behind, so
precipiiate was tAe flight of his captors
Dare rode npon all improvised pillion
behind her lovor when the steep hill
road did not make it necessary for both
to dismomt. They said little, those two
The silence of overful hearts lay between
them. But Major Overton talked and
smiled with his friendly lawyers in a
fashion none had ever seen before.
"Oh, for an hour of Hawkins now"
Il II, 10, g.
themselves nearly Mt the outer edge of
the iron land.
"You will hardly over enjoy it,
fear" Vance returned. plague ON that
storml But for it / meant to try to
get at him before he learned the miscar-
riage of his scheme AS it is, he has no
doubt heard it in timo to quit the coun-
try"
''Do you think so?" Hildreth asked,
with an odd smile. "Man alive, there
is no think about it. Hawkins is as far
from being fool as from being an hon
est man. After this--why, it's a hang
ing matter with the proofs we have.
mo doubt, if wo don't use them,
Hildreth said. You forget he had a
partner in all this--one, too, who will
make it possible for him to go scot
free"
'Do you mean--it cannot be Mrs.
Townley?" Vance said.
Major Overton leaned from his saddle
to say very low:
Gentlemen, good friends, please for
get that--that you have spoken. What
1,,,
cion of the treachery of her own blood.
Pray do not make it necessary that she
should be saddened with such knowl-
edge"
Agreed. ON one condition, major
that you let us settle with Hawkins. He
is not the man gentleman can touch.
know you want to shoot him, but that
would result in some awkward explana-
tions," Vance said, laying hand on
Major Overton's arm. Still Hildreth
smiled queerly, looking little over his
shoulder 10 where Allen and Dare walk
cd in blissful company. At last he said:
"Major, here we are at the back side
of Exeter. move that we go in and
breakfast with Mrs Townley, or without
her,"
Major Overton sat up very straight,
saying: Excuse me, sir. Icannot break
bread there The sight of that wom-
nn"-
Major, ! ask it as q personal favor"
Hildreth interrupted Vance looked at
him hard.
SIN that case have no choice after
last night" Major Overton said, with
shade of the old techy stateliness. Hill
dreth said only, "Thank you :"
Five minutes later Black Patsey was
crying out: DE lawsy, Miss Dare, yo'
des done foun yo'slf DIES too late, Miss
Mel, she des done got ma'rid ter dat
er crank mouf Mr.. Hawkins an drib
way lickety split wild hbery stable
horses-say de got ter ketch de train But