Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-11-03
CHAPTER xxx.

she hotel!
There is a cawing of rocks to be heard
from the Close, near at hand; and, lured
Inv the sound. and the reports she has
hoard of the beauty of the grand old ca
+hedral, Della turns her feet after awhile
in that direction, and, passing under the
arch of st. Crispin, finds herself in one of
those solemn, peaceful Enclosures that
surround most of the ancient ecclesias-
1icaI cdifces in England. 1t seems as
though in a moment she has passed out
Of the working world into city of the
dead. and she sits down on a fiat tomb
stone. almost awe-struck by the thought
and the feeling it brings with it. Not
everyone, though, is of the same opinion
on entering the Cathedral Close. Two
dirty urchins are playing ring-taw on a
stone slab close to her, while a third is
making the welkin ring with his melan-
choly bowls.
What are We cryin' for, Bill?'' demands
one Of his companions at last, inpatient
~.
Mothers 1T me"'
Why for:''
Cause / stoned an old beggar on Mar
tyrs' Worthy Road"
w Hal DeSSdt
AN old thief with pack. [ tried to
hustle is pack, and e grOwled at me, so
| 1T i'm with Il stone; and then one of
them wimmin IN a black gound and a
white cap come out of Frushwood Farm
and hlackguarded me, and | tried to it
FER; and she TUX 'old of me and led me
Some TO mother and got 'er to wallop me.
And amt she done it neither" continues
the boy. and laments anew.
Della is listening to the recital with all
hcr ears.
whats the good of lifting beggar for
nothin'" demands one Of the young phi
iosophcrs engaging in ring-taw.
"'Twarn't for nothin'. l wanted bit
of the leather off is pack to cover my ball.
So Just give grab at it, and the old fell
Ter come after me; so | threw stones at
i'm. But l got the bit of leather" he
adds with a sly grin of satisfaction, as he
thrusts his hand into his pocket.
The treasure comes to light. 1t is a
morSel of worn American cloth, just like
that which covers old Strother's parcel.
Della trembles all over at the sight.
Come here, boy"' she says to the blub-
herring urchin; II want to speak to you"
The child appears very shy of coming
within the range of her hand. Perhaps
he anticipates another cuff; but the sight
of shilling has wonderful effect in
clearing up his doubts and allaying his
fears.
BE that for me?" he asks, cautiously.
1T shall be yours if you will answer me
q few questions"
At this wonderful announcement all
three lads stay their occupations and
gather round her.
What was this old beggar like and
where did you see him.!
HE were a little un, all crumped up
like, with white air and big pack on is
back: and l seed i'm on the Martyrs
Worthy Road 'alf an hour agone."
IF l give you this shilling will you take
me to him?" says Della eagerly.
Wen all take you to i'm, num-" cry
the boys simultaneously, as, forgetful of
tears and whippings and ring-taw, they
prepare to form themselves into guard
of honor for the lady who has shillings
with which to reward their services.
Della tears leaf from her pocketbook
and writes on it: Follow me to Brush
wood Farm. on the Martyrs Worthy
Road" then rising, she leaves it at the
George Inn door for Mr.. lie Mesurier, and
prepares TO follow her young guides
wherever they may lead her.
She has found the old clerk again. She
feels sure and certain that she has found
him.
The Martyrs Worthy Road appears to
be long way off to Della, dragged there
hurriedly as she is by her impetuous lit
lie outriders.
This is the shortest cut, num-"
I don't care which way l so so that
You take me there as quickly as posi-
bic" says Della in her turn.
On the road she makes the whipped
boy repeat, again and again, his descrip-
ton of the old beggar.
And who was the woman who took
you to her mother?' she asks presently.
She's a beast. that's what she is" re-
Plies the urchin determinedly.
/ know 'er," says one of the others;
she's staying with Farmer Coombes at
Martyrs Worthy. She's what they calls
sister,
I'D like to sister 'er," interpolates the
injured boy.
But what became of the old man when
inc sister took you home?" says Della.
Oh she took i'm into the farm ouse
loSt' and she's there with him now"
Only show me the house, and you shall
nave Your shilling and be off. What name
Gid You say:'
Farmer Coombes of the Brushwood
Farm"
Coembes-Coombes! Where has she
heard that name before? She has scarce
y '1lne to ask herself the question before
she IS there.
II IS 4 large. spacious house. much add
n TO and improved by modern skill, the
mousse Of gentleman farmer rather than
t We everyday, business-like residence she
mad expected to see. But here. having
TINed at her journeys end, and the
...ue pids being quite certain that the
woman with the cap took the ''old beg
s@r sur. IN there, she dismisses them with a
sth'4'ns apiece, in the possession of which
lucy run shouting back to the sweet stuff
slop, At another time Della might have