The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1900-01-18
BEGUN DECEMBER 20. 1899.
A limited number of back papers on hand
CONTINUED from last week.1

and shining on the ash heap, where the
fowls were pecking. He turned and
sat down on the nearest chair and. TAX
ing out his penknife. ripped the parcel
open. The first thing that fell was a
shower Of yellow, faded papers. Bona
parte opened them carefully one by
one and smoothed them out on his
knee. There was something very val
liable to be hidden so carefully, though
the German characters he could not
-decipher. When he came to the last
one. he felt there was something hard
in it.
you've got it, Bon. my boy; you've
got it" he cried, Shaping his leg hard.
IEdging nearer to the door, for the
light was fading, he opened the paper
carefully. There was nothing inside
but a plain gold wedding ring.
Better than nothingr said Bona
parte, trying to put it on his little fin
ger, which, however. proved too fat.
He took it off and set it down on the
table before him and looked at it with
his crosswise eyes.
"When that suspicious hour, San
ME-" he said, "shall have arrived
when, painting, shall lead thee. light
ed by Hymen's torch. to the connubial
altar. then upon thy fair amaranthine
finger, my joyous bride, shall this ring
repose.
"Thy fair body, oh, my girl,
Shall Bonaparte possess;
His fingers in thy moneybags,
He therein, too, shall mess"
Having given utterance to this flood
of poesy, he sat lost in joyous reflec-
tion
"He therein, too, shall NESS" he re-
peated meditatively.
At this instant, as Bonaparte swore,
and swore truly to the end of his life,
a slow and distinct rap was given on
the crown of his bald head.
Bonaparte started and looked up. No
I'reim" or strap hung down from the
rafters above, and not a human crea-
ture was near the door. 1t was grow
ing dark. He did not like it. He be-
gan to fold up the papers expeditions
1y. He stretched out his hand for the
ring. The ring was gone-gone. al
though no human creature had entered
the room; gone, although no form had
crossed the doorway. Gone!
He would not sleep there. that was
certain.
He stuffed the papers into his pocket.
AS he did so three slow and distinct
taps were given on the crown Of his
head. Bonaparte's jaw fell. Each
joint lost it's power. He could not
move; he dared not rise. His tongue
lay loose in his mouth.
''Take all. take allv he gurgled in
his throat. IL do not want them.
Take
Here resolute tug at the gray curls
at the back Of his head caused him to
leap up. yelling wildly. Was he to sit
still paralyzed. to be dragged away
bodily to the devil? With terrific
shrieks he fed, casting no glance be-
hind.
When the dew was falling and the
evening was dark, small figure
moved toward the gate of the farthest
ostrich camp, driving bird before it.
When the gate was opened and the
bird driven in and the gate fastened, it
turned away, but then suddenly paus-
ed near the stone wall.
'Is that you, WALDORF said Lyndall.
hearing sound.
The boy was sitting on the damp
ground, with his back to the wall. He
gave her no answer.
"Come," she said. bending over him.
81 have been looking for you all day."
He mumbled something.
you have had nothing to eat. !
have put some supper in your room.
You must come home with me, Wal
do"
She took his hand. and the boy rose
slowly.
She made him take her arm and
twisted her small fingers among his.
"You must forget" she whispered.
"Since it happened l walk, talk,
never sit still. If we remember, we
cannot bring back the dead" She
knit her little fingers closer among his.
Forgetting is the best thing. He did
not watch it coming" she whispered
presently. "That is the dreadful thing
to see it coming!' She shuddered.
81 want it to come so to me too. Why
do you think was driving that bird?"
she added quickly. ''That was Hans,
the bird that hates Bonaparte. l let
him out this afternoon. / thought he
would chase him and perhaps kill
him." ..-.... -....
The boy showed no sign Of interest
HE did not catch him. but he put
his head over the half door of your
cabin and frightened him horribly. He
was there, busy stealing your things.
Perhaps he will leave them alone now,
but I wish the bird had trodden on
him."
They said no more till they reached
the door OF the cabin.
There Is candle, and supper n on
the table. You must eat she said
authoritatively. Il cannot stay with