Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-07-29

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for some time. Then he proceeded ia
the village and hired a small bedroom
for a week. When he was going to bed
that night he pulled his blind down,
aud looked carefully to sec there was
no chink or crack through which his
movements could be observed. Then he
began to undress.
He wore q moleskin waistcoat, bare
with age but still warm and thick. He
put the garment across his knee and
ripped the lining up the center. After
this he thrust in his hand and drew out
some rustling papers, which he fat
tened out and fingered separately with
tender care. Joseph Binns had been
wise in his generation.
my poor old %girl-she shall have 'em
all" he muttered. ''l'll do the thing
proper and pretty. My word, little
Anne won't know herself"
1t was pathetic how he still cherished
the idea OF youth In respect to the wo.
man he was seeking.
The village had delightful food for
gossip during the next week.
"A stranger took possession of Widow
Jones' empty cottage, and each day
brought with 1t some wonderful trans.
formation. The garden was laid out,
the window cleaned and decorated, the
gate mended, the rooms scrubbed and
colored. The climax was reached when
a big cart of piled-up furniture drew up
In the lane.
Then the neighbors came aocking
with offers to help, but Joseph Binns
admitted no one into his house but
Lucy Haws. He had to make a con
fidant of some one, and Lucy had taken
his fancy.
AT Last all was ready. The cottage
was TT for a bride to enter. Lucy
clapped her hands with delight. Joe's
heart swelied with proud %exultation
and anticipation. A haven Of rest for
the waning years Of his life with the
old sweetheart Of his youth. Not q
cloud should mar their happiness.
"And now go right away, as quick as
ever you can, and fetch her home,' said
the girl. with a catcl, IN her voice, as
she helped the old man into his coat
and gave him his hat,
The old maj was trembling with emo
tion. A pony and cart We're waiting in
the lane. He got in and drove quietly
away in the direction Of O. large ray
building standing out against the hill
some three miles distant from. the viii
lage.
The porter AMI out from the lodge.
"This isn't visiting day." was the
g%ratuit0us remark before Joseph Binns
in his excited mood. could. frame. n re-
quest.
1--WE come to fetch. some one"-he
brought out the words. with difficulty
some one who doesn't need to have to,
stop here any longer. I'm her lawful
husband and want to take her away.
Anne Jones Is he name-Wddow Jones,
that was Anne Binns.",
Again the porter stared ut the. old.
man. then he looked away and said in
an ven voice void of expression:
"Anne Jones. known as Widow Jones'.
died at 9 o'clock this morning.. Cor
oner's inquest morrow at 'leyen..
fun'ral at B."
The old man stood quiet. aud. motion
less. The sun beat tiercely down on
the white gates. The clock in the tower
began to strike, and each stroke rang
out like a funeral kncll.. The horse be-
tween the shafts turned its lead and
stared with almost human eyes. on the
statue-like figure Of the aged man.
And when the clock stopped striking
there rose from the golden corn across,
the road the thrilling song of! soaring
lark, which few towards the sun till
only a tiny speck showed darkly
against the blue of heaven.-T,he. En-
glishwoman.