The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-02-27
&c. A boat lay there with the oars

/ IN II. l stepped in and rOWed up the
river. The twilight faded, night came
on, dark, moonless night. had
dropped the oars and was drifting sea-
ward, lying at the bottom of the boat.
knew that 1 was in danger, but the
knowledge did not affect me.
Suddenly glare of red light flashed
over my face, heard heavy throb Of
machinery, then a shrieking whistle.
and steamer was hard upon my little
boat.
After that l knew nothing until I
came to myself in strange room, in q
strange hotel at Albany. The captain
of the steamer which had run my boat
down fancied that to his account lay
the fever and delirium which had come
upon me, and had me taken care of.
1t was two weeks since the day last in
my memory. read that in the paper.
There. also. read this paragraph:
"The body found in the woods at -
has been identified by the garments
and some personal peculiarities as that
of Mr.. Casper Athwold, wealthy citi-
zen, who has been missing many days.
His funeral takes place this morn
ing"
l dropped the paper in amazement.
My own name-the record of my death.
Then l burst into bitter laugh. l
understood it. The beggar whom had
clothed had died upon the road. He
it was who was that day to be buried
under my name.
At first it seemed merely a cruel joke.
Then the memory of my will and the
letter written to Kate Norman flashed
upon me. must reach home and prove
myself living man before it was too
late.
Weak as I was. arose and dressed
myself, and giving my address to the
landlord, left the hotel for the depot:
but I reached it only in time to find
the train gone. Another hour or SO
must pass. They were ages to me.
She would not read that letter while l
lived
At last was off-fairly on my way.
In the dark of the evening l alighted
at the depot and hurried homeward.
There l should find my servants, and,
probably, the lawyer. who would find it
his duty to secure everything for the
future heiress.
They would not, hoped, read the
will so soon-yet it was customary. 1t
this had been done, how should I act ?
| How speak? Only a little space lay
between the depot and my home. The
railroad encroachments had been my
mothers greatest troubles in the last
years. of her life Now this fact en-
abled me, i'll as l was, to reach the
house without delay. 1t was dark,
| and l met no one.
In moment knew why. They had
assembled in the parlor to hear my will
read-for, through the Venetian shut
tiers long bars. Of light fell across the
porch; and looking in, unseen myself,
saw Kate Norman, with letter in her
hand, glide through the opposite door.
The will had been read. Before I
could interpose she would have read
the letter also.
What should I do?-return as l had
come?-change my name?-dwell
where no one knew me? It seemed
that this were better than to return to
the gaping towns-folk's nine days
wonder. Worst of all to meet Kate.
1 turned from the window and hur-
ried away-but l was still weak, very
weak, and soon my strength gave way.
1t was just as I reached the churchyard.
The road was bare, with no resting
place upon it. but within the gates the
soft grass tempted me, and the willow
branches seemed to nod welcome.
cast myself down in the long grass.
The crickets chirped all about me. A
bird somewhere gave shrek now and
then.
l felt my blood on fire; Icould not
stop thinking; l could not give tired
nature her way. was weary and
worn beyond all description.
heard the church clock strike nine.
1t startled me to think an hour had
flown when the same clock struck ten.
lifted up my head to listen, and saw
figure gliding up the path-a wom-
ans figure.
1t came straight on and cast itself
on the grave by which l sat-the grave
beneath which the beggar lay whom
they had taken for myse,f-cast itself
upon it, sobbing wildly.
The shadows hid me. l gazed I'M
seen upon the mourner. Who was it?
Some one who had mistaken the spot,
no doubt. She lifted up her head.
In the moonlight Z saw her face. 1t
was Kate. Had pity brought her
there? Could pity make woman
weep so? l drew nearer. She spoke;
1t was my name she uttered.
ooh, Casper" she cried, shall I new
err hear your dear voice? Can never
tell you how I loved you? Oh, Casper,
Casper!"
Silence, with the cricket's chirp
amidst it, and the birds scream, dawn
broke upon my soul. Then stood be-
side her, holding her close and fast.
do not fear, do not tremble." cried.
"It is living Casper who comes to
you, and no ghost. Oh, Kate-Kate,
you gave tender words to the clay you
thought mine, will you bless me with
them living?"
She hid her face in my bosom. and
would not look up-would only cling