Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-03-05


Ben grinned in his queer manner,
and ~e walked to the opposite side of
the churchynrd where the baronct wns
buried. 1t had been his particular wish
so l had been told-not to be laid in
the damp family vault, with Ms mold.
cring forefathers. but out in the open
space where the light and sunshine
might fall upon his grave. 80 os yet
there was only a mound of earth
heaped above his remains, the monu-
ment which Sir Charles had ordered
TO be erected TO his memory not being
ready.
AS Ben and | came in sight of the
grave we were startled to see what
looked like n bundle laid upon it, but
which proved on n nearer inspection to
be the figure of the poor dwarf, Miss
Crnley, who was lying out there all of
Il heap in the rain.
Poor creasurel" exclaimed; "they
told me her love for the old gentleman
was more like that of dog than hui
man being, and so it must have been.
No one but dog would have the hdel-
ity to forget discomfort like this in its
grief for the loss of what ii loved. But
she mustn't lie here. She will catch her
death of cold! Here, Miss Crnley,"
continued, raising my voice, Miss
Craiey! you must let me take you
home! You must not stay here in the
lainl"
hut / might az well have spoken to
the grave Itself, for oil the notice she
took of my words.
"Hush!' said Ben, laying his hand
on my arm; this is the poor little
huppback you told me Of! Let us try
and communicate with her 1t is all
excellent opportunity, finding her hero
nlore'"
| -put snc is uc;n ma uunro,- I re-
piled; "she Gun neither hear nor an
swer."
II know the dumb alphabet" said
Ben, land doubtless she knows It, too!
They hive told you that II these jewels
were taken from the baronet's bed
loom, she must have seen it done, rs
she was present all the time. Let us
try il she can tell us anything about the
matter!"
1T Is useless" I demurred; "if sht
could talk with her fingers, they would
have got II all out of her ut once
And the upshot proved was right
We went up to the grave and touched
the dwarf gently on the shoulder. She
took no notice at first, but after re
peated taps she raised her head, and
saw that her eyes were swollen will
crying. The sight moved me. Poor
unhappy creature! We're her bodily
Affections not enough to bear, that sht
was called upon TO sorrow for the los
of her best friend?
Mustn't lie here" snid, talking Al.
If she were little child, and pointin,
up to the dull sky and down to the damp
ground: you will catch cold-be very
very sick--let me take you home!'
pointing to where the matched roof o
The Gables was visible above the trees
She made some unintelligible reply anC
shook her shoulders free from my touch
but she did not scream in the painful
manner in which had heard her whel
in the presence of Sir Charles and Lad,
, Ellcsmere. | reiterated my nrgumuet
and | saw she watched my lips an
, gained some knowledge of my meaning
for she shook her head end laid it dow,
again upon the wet clay piled above tn
grave. Around her and all over tn
mound were scattered such wild flower
as one can find in late autumn, the
looked drnggled and wet as herself
and she Ind laid on them till they wer
all crushed and disigurcd Did yo
love him?" | asked. pointing down
wards to the grave and making such az
tons with my lips and hands, as t
my ideas were emblematic of affection
though Ben told me afterwards that
looked like nothing but the represents
ton Of windmill, and that he had tn
greatest difficulty to prevent himsel
bursting out laughing, which would c
course have spoiled the whole thing.
| am sure the poor creature under
) stood what | meant, for she gave q lo'
moan like that Of wounded ANNA
and the tears guahcd forth from he
. eyes again. Suddenly she appeared I
be all comprehension, for she sat NJ
: right, and gazing mp ut me, she pointe
, to her mouth and moRned-.then turf