The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-19


up with Miss Huldah,'' replied the old man.
decidedly. LAS to rows-except those few
words with your man, Beresford, he's been
quiet enough of late, Mr.. Beamish.
is that so?" replied Abe, thoughtfully,
with a sigh. "Well, must see what the
ponce can do for us-thats all.
What's that about police, Abe?'' said Mrs
Beamish, with a startled look, coming up.
only that Chris here has been to them
about Devos," replied Abe. Take care you
don't say anything to Huldah, granny; the
poor girls low enough as it is-no use to
frightenwher."
oh, I'll not say a word" replied Mrs.
BeamisH."H Hush! here she be. You'd best be
off, Chris.''
the stoop. She had grown very thin and her
features sharp of late; her dark eyes looked
unnaturally wild and bright. She caught
sight of Chris he turned the corner OF the
barn, and her face filed with look of ter
"Any-any news?" she asked, in hoarse
.None@ my DEAR replied Uncle Abe.
"They'vea not heard from him yet; maybe
they will presently, though. So cheer up,
my honey-don't look SO sad and down.
hearted. Devos isn't the man to leave you
for long without word Maybe he's writ
ten and thinks we know all about him, and
the letters got lost
Maybe" replied Huldah, in dull tone
wiping away the perspirat:on that had
started out and stood in great drops on her
forehead. Perhaps he did"
And then the vacant, far-away look came
into her eyes again, and she walked Istlessly
away.
Poor child" muttered Abe, between his
teeth. 'I never guessed she cared for him so
much. She seems just dazed like She's but
the ghost of her old self-all her spirits gone
and as pale and mum a sick coon. A
strange girl; one would never have believed
she would have took on so, but girls and
women are deceptive creatures-one never
knows what to expect from EN-"
A after
over, and the last rays of the setting sun
were well nigh gone, the sound of voices and
the trampling of horses hoofs, together with
the jnging of spurs, were heard approach
ing the farm.
Abe, who as usual, was smoking in his
easy chair in the stoop, started to his feet
at the sound, which he recognized well
enough and knew that party of mounted
police Were approaching.
Good sakes what is it, Abe?" asked
granny, in a trembling voice.
But before Abe had time to reply, a group
of horsemen appeared and in the midst of
them were six men on foot, bearing a hurdle
on which lay Something-What, he could not
determine which a covering had been
thrown Beside it walked Chris Saunders,
whilst the Harveys, father and sons, and
several other of the neighbors followed in
the rear. @
They halted before the farm and the bear
ers laid their burden down before, the door
Heaven sakes! What is it?' cried Abe
"Chris-Chris Saunders-is it"
Yes, it's-it's him We've found him, Mr.
BeamiSh, at last" said the old man, in a
harsh voice and with dry sob. Dead, sir
murdered-shot clean through the head and
lying in the swamp"
I'm the swamp-you don't say!" faltered
Abe.
Yes, Mr.. Beamish," answered the officer of
police, getting off his horse, and examining
the girths of his saddle he spoke 1--WE
shall have to go into this business thorough
ly-there's been foul play. Mr.. Guardas
been murdered, as Chris says, without
doubt. Shot from behind, it seems to me-
Are you sure-is it really Devos?" said
Abe, in trembling voice, glancing at the
formlesS mass beneath the policemans mill
tary cloak on the hurdle which had been set
down but few feet from the house.
There's no doubt about it-see for your
SELF" said Chris bitterly, and he suddenly
drew aside the covering that lay over the
hurdle.
A ghastly spectacle presented itself to view
so CHASTITY that Granny Beamish threw her
apron over her head with stifled cry, and
Abe turned away with Mortified exclama-
ton.
It was Devos Guardas body that lay be-
fore them, he could not doubt; he recognized
it perfectly, spite Of the terrible ravages
made on the dead face by the shot that had
waters of the swamp, where, for nearly a
month, he must have lain.
'Where-where,' Abe faltered at last
where did you find him?"
But before the inspector of police could
answer the question, a fearful Shrek rang
through the air that curdled the blood of
those who heard it.
"Huldah! MY God! how came you here?"
cred Abe turning round just in time to see
Huldah standing at his elbow, white with
wide-open, staring eyes, and pale parted lips
'Huldah, poor child! don't look; it's" he
began.
Uncle, I know" she faltered-"it's him!"
And then, throwing up her hands wildly,
she fell back into Abe'S arms, inSensible