Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-09-24

sue NeDtured TO descend 10 the Darlor
she was met by John Gridley.
He started back as he saw her. for
the meeting was unexpected: and he
hardly knew. for the moment, whether
he saw May Rivers or her spirit
She was draped in IA close white
wrapper; and from her face. which,
from the effects of her illness, was pale
and thin, her eyes shone large beauti-
full. and lustrous.
Never. thought John Gridley, had he
seen her look SO beautiful; and he was
right; for her illness had sotened her
face and taken from it in roundness
while ii added to it in dellcacy.
Eagerly he bent over her till his lips
almost touched her hair, whispering
IN her a low, soft hopes and in
quiries.
lnstinctiyely she shrunk away from
him, but he would not be repulsed.
Had he not the right OF an accepted
lover To be near her? Would she not.
as soon as she had recovered sufficient
strength. go with him 90 that gray
stone church, the tower of which he
could see from where he stood: aud
would h not there swear TO love,
honor, and obey him?
However, happily for Mays peace of
mind, John Gridley had Il business en-
. sagement at Alyerton, and he was
compelled very Don TO take his leave.
As May saw him ride past the win
dow it seemed TO her as if Il weight
We're taken from her heart: for much
as size stroye TO like the man-love him
she knew she could not-the repug-
nance II had always felt for him in
af.nl sod .11N " Inv Iar onl Sl.n .JraaInl
with an increased dread the hour when
she should become his wife.
John Gridley rode gaily along the
leavestrewn lane TO Alverton. 1t was
not market day. but yet there appeared
to he many people congregated in the
street; as he entered. however. he was
not particularly curious. but rode on
10 keep his appointment.
Business concluded. he rose 10 de-
part; and then he saw that the crowd
had considerably increased.
What is the meaning of all these
people being on the street, he asked.
Haven't you heard the news:''.
NO: how should L? | have only lust
ridden in from AnIadale. and came
straight here. What is it,"
There has been a dreadful crime
committed
What is it, gasped Gridley. turn
ing deadly pale, and clutching at the
back OF a chair for support. WHO is
it?'
"A poor. demented fellow. named
Amos, who was always rambling about
the country; though what value his
life could have been TO any one, good
ness knows
"Water-water, for mercy's sake.-a
drop of wateri.'
The man randed him a glass of
brandy. and John Gridley tossed it
down his threat.
"Yoll seem strangely affected by the
news
NO, no-but it is horrible, Tell me
more; where did they find the body?"
In n ditch on the Portsmouth road.'
And they recognized it after so
many weeks" muttered the masters
partner, partly 10 himself.
> many weeks" repeated the
other. Il thought you said you had
heard nothing Of it,"
You said he had been dead many
weeks said John Gridley, perceiving
the mistake he had made, and hoping
10 retrieve it by a bold falsehood.
did ~ said the other doubtingly.
.'Of course the poor fellow was in a
dreadful state; but they knew him by
his clc.hes. His skull had been frac-
turcd by repeated blows from a heavy
stick"
Dreadful said John Gridley. shud-
dering. as the remembrance of the
struggle and the dreadful result were
brought vividly back to his memory.
Have they any clue to the perpetra-
tor of the deed:'
He strove 10 ask the question calm
~, but his voice almost betrayed him
by its anxious tone.
Not the least clue as yet: but there
will be an inquest and the whole af-
fair will be fully inquired into"
"Quite right. | hope-hope they will
succeed in bringing-bringing the
guilty one TO Justice
Z. The words almost choked him in the
%utterance. He felt as ii the hang
mans moose were already about his
neck: and as he rode quickly back to
Anradale he east many startled.
frightened look behind him. as he had
done in the parlor of that little inn
! where he had rested on the morning
after the committal of the crime.
1t was early when John Gridley got
back to the village, but neither Mat
thew Rivers nor his daughter saw any
thing of him that evening.
The mex day he. appeared the same
as usual-calm. collected and self-pos-
sessed; and none but himself knew the
agony of fear in Which he had passed
the night.
The news of the discovery soon
reached Annadale, but. by the advice
Of John Gridley, for an obvious rea-
son, it was kept secret from May.
She was fond of the lad. he urged.
and might be much affected, in her
present weak state, by the news of
his dreadful death. and therefore it
would be better that she should not
be acquainted with 1t.
There was reason in his words. but
he alone knew HON much the news
would have affected her.
The inquest was held at Alverton,
and a verdict of "wilful murder
against a person or persons unknown
was returned. The body was buried,
and in a weeks time the event was al
most forgotten.
Then John Gridley breathed freely
again.
While the moor boys body had heen