Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-10-08
CHAPTER NIX.
The Two Men From winchester

CHAPTER NIX.
The Two Men From Winchester.
When Matthew Rivers heard the
words which told him that ruin and
disgrace. despite all his efforts. had
truly come upon him, he turned ghast-
~ pale, and covered his face with his
hands.
oh, how sincerely he wished that it
had been heavens will to take him,
rather than his wife away from a
world of care and anxiety; or that. at
least. he might have gone with her;
but then. when he saw Mays pale,
earnest. inquiring face, he felt that it
was for the best that he had been left
behind to help and guide her.
Yet, il was a dreadful thing, this ar
rest-this seizure of all his worldly
goods, while his wife yet lay unburied
in the % above.
Were very sorry, Mr.. Rivers said
one of the men; ''but we act under or
ders, and dare not disobey them"
~Of course not-of course not"
I'VE know of your grief, and we've
heard of the great misfortune which
has fallen upon you; but you see, We've
no choice in the matter"
what do you mean? What do you
want me to do?'
We'll, you see, sir, I'm afraid we
must trouble you TO come along with
us TO Winchester"
"ImDossibleir'
"Such are our orders"
Put do you Know" began the old
malster. and then his voice faltered,
do you know that my wife isis
He could not complete the sentence,
but pointed upward with his finger.
I'VE didn't know il when we left
Winchester, sir. or we should have got
instructions. But Mr., Gridley's words
We're, Bring him back with you with
out a minutes delay Weren't they,
Sam?"
"Sure enough" answered the other
grutfiy. at the same time critically eX-
aiming the furniture. IL ii to ascer-
tiin what it was worth.
1T is impossible-quite impossible
that | can leave Annadale for the next
four-and.twenty hours"
well, sir, unless you're prepared to
pay down the f1,200 l don't see you've
much choice in the matter. Laws law,
you know
II cannot 90"
"Oh, COME said the other man,
whose temper did not seem to DE of
the best. and who answered to the
name of Sam, 1--WE can't have none
of this. Our traps waiting at the inn
and we can't give you more than half
an hour 10 prepare"
1t Is impossible To describe the agony
of mind with which May had listened
to this conversation
She had learned from her father al
.oaI, th,t la uync In n~aaf IiftinY1ltinS
but she did not know. till the actual
arrival of these men from Winchester,
that his liberty was endangered; and
even now she could not believe that
the law was SO mighty as to compel
q man not guilty of n crime, but only
suffering for a misfortune, TO leave a
dead wife and an unprotected daugh-
ter to repay, by the loss Of his lib
erty. a sum of money owing TO a man
who. without his aid, might have been
almost a beggar.
1T cannot be-" she said p~assionately.
sit cannot be that you are men, and
yet insist upon my father leaving his
home at a time like this"
"We have no choice in the matter.
miss. We have our duty to perform"
but your duty cannot call you TO
perform so heartleSS an act at that
upon which you are now bent
TT is very hard upon you, miss; but
what are we TO do!'
my mother lies unburied up stairs,
and we are plunged in deep distress;
surely you are not bound to add to
our grief. What can I do IL you take
away my father from me at such a
time?'
81 tell you what 1t is" said the
sterner one, were public servants
and can take no account of such
things
Don't speak hard to her, Sam. You
wouldn't like II IL 1t was you in her
fathers place"
IF they insist on my going. May,
darling" said the malster ~sofrowfully,
Il have no right to resist"
But they will not insist. Oh. pray"
she continued in a voice of piteous sup
plication. ''oh pray do not take my
father from me at this time. Ii either
of you have daughters of your own.
think what 1t would be to them to
have Sc great an evil happen IL them.
You may be endowed with power by
the law. but beware how you abuse
that power. 1t is not only at earthly
tribunals that we have to answer for
our sins-remember that, and pity my
position, IL you have no mercy for my
fathers"
The more tender-hearted Of the two
whispered a few words to his com
panion; but the other sturdily shook
hts head.
You see, miss, my mate doesn't sec
how 1t can be done. He isn't q bad
hearted man, but our instructions was
clear that we were to bring your faith
er to Winchester without any delay"