The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-19

''When-when did he go, uncle?
He's not been seen by any of his people
since the night he left here" replied Abe,
but he went home from here, that's clear,
TOT MS horse, Bruce, was in the stable all
right next morning, but
He took the early train from Holeston,
maybe, put in Huldah, in half Whisper
Aye never thought of that. Maybe he
did, noW," Abe sad looking up. III just
ride over to Holeston this evening and make
enquiries. Old Chris is getting fairly wild
at his boss not turning up, and vows''-here
ABE suddenly stopped-"vowS the farm S go
ing to ruin" he continued. Yes I'll ride
over this evening, and come home across
the river and through the swamp, and be
home
Huldah started
THE swamp! No, don't go through the
swamp, uncle she said, hurriedly.
why not?' he asked in surprise.
Because its-its a dangerous place." be-
gan Huldah.
Lord save you! what's come over you,
Huleah child? I could go through blind
fcld,' he said. "Ah, here's granny again!''-as
Mrs Beamish entered. "Tn leave you and
she to gossip, and go after the cattle, and
latel on I'll ride over to Holeston. It's a pity
almost you come back, Huldah; you could
surely have written to me and told about
Devos going to Buffalo, but you were fid-
getty about him, 1 reckon as women will be
about fellow, when there's no need for it, "
Abe Beamish sauntered out, leaving HUI
dah ana her grandmother alone. He was
not nearly so easy in his own mind about
Devos Guarda as he pretended to Huldah. He
knew Devos had many enemies, and that at
one time of his life he had led a wild and
reckless existence. 1t was quite possible that
he might have come across some old ac-
quaintances with a grudgc against him and
they had seized the opportunity of paying it
off,, or it was possible, of course. that some
accident had happened to him, as accidents
50 often do happen to folk in that still half
wild country. But not for the world would
he have allowed Hudah to perceive that he
was in any way alarmed about her intend
eds safety, for he believed Huldah, spite of
her quick temper and odd contrary ways,
loved Devos-hcr pallor and evident uneasi-
ne SIS. her strange nervous manner, told him
as much. If anything should have happened
to Devos, poor Huldah would suffer horri-
bly,, he felt sure.
Sc thought Abe, and thought the neigh
bcrs around; and when Abe questioned the
fcll. at Holeston and could learn nothing of
Devos, his heart sank he thought of the
disappointment and sorrow she would expert
eEce when he returned and brought no news
OF him.
eve must send to Buffalo and inquire, if
he doesn't return tomorrow. [ can't bear to
see you grieving so, Huldah,'' he said, as she
in blank silence received his news. "Now,
jus come and help pack up Beresfords
belongings. We must send them off to
Europe in a day two, he'll be thinking
we mean to keep them altogether. Why's he
must be in England, handy to it, by this
time-ony think!'
A look of anguish that she tried to hide
passed over Huldah's face at the mention
OF Brian BereSford. She slowly followed her
uncle from the kitchen to the room Beres-
ford had occupied, and began helping him
to collect the various articles scattered about.
Oh, how her heart ached as she did So
how the sight of the familiar artices-the
books he had been wont to read, and had
sometimes tried, vainly to interest her in,
his riding whips, fishing rods and various
belcngings-recalled him to her! On the
a scarf
and Huldah, whilst Abe was not looking
slipped it into her pocket. 1t was his; he had
worn it; it would be a treasure to her-a
treasure with which she would never part
till the day of her death.
Whats become of Beresford's Winches-
ter-the small one-I wonder?" asked Abe
PRESENT. y, as he took couple of guns from
the rack on the wall. do you know, HUI
dah?"
She started, trembling in every limb.
"No-yes,' she returned. THAT is-the one
the small one you mean, don't you,
uncle?"
Eyes, the toher's here" replied Abe. 'He
didn't take it with him, did hep
mo, he'd no gun with him when he left.
remember, though, as how he said he'd take
a gun to Cliffvie the other day to the gun
Makers she answered, her lips quvering
and twitching curiousy Perhaps he got it
from him again when he went there last and
took it to Europe when he left
"As like as not answered Abe. "There,
that's about the lot, reckon. We must send
them off in day so. He gave me an ad-
dress to send them to-some place in Liver
pool
So Brian's belongings were gathered to-
gether that night and sent off early next
morning to Cliffvle, on their way to Europe
Hudah watched the wagon containing them
from her window till, driven by Uncle Abe
it disappeared from view, and then she saun-
tered out, following the direction it had
taken
1t was quite three of four hours before
she returned to the farm, and when she did
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