The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-03

from him, and he stood helpless 10 de-
fend himself as he bowed bis head be-
fore her Unconsciously he twisted
his strong hands about each other till
the joints cracked.
The negro in the grave climbed out
with a last bucketful OF yellow water.
The three grave diggers went to the
wagon, where the boy reluctantly
arose from his seat on the box To-
gether they bore the box to the trench
they had dug. grumbling to each otner
at not keeping step. The group Of
cracker women came closer 10 tho
edge, where the serene. white-faced
girl stood by her mother
The negroes tied couple Of dingy
plow lines about the pine box. and let
It down into the grave on a run, till
It splashed into the yellow wates,
turning on its side. No word broke
the silence, but a bobwhite began his
clear, sweet, call from the Rhett
tomb. The negroes lazlly picked up
their shoyels and attacked the heap
OF clay that was piled beside the grave.
throwing in the earth with careless
swings. II struck with mufied thuds
on the box below
At the sound Of the earth pounding
so roughly on the box, a look OF paia
came into the white serenity OF the
girls face, and she turned in silent
protest to the negroes. This look OF
appeal was almost a relief TO Mas
ters. II showed a chance to serve her
at once, and he stepped quickly from
the shadow
Mind what you're doing, you mig
gers!" he said sharply. Fill that
grave more carefully Lower your
shovels at first"
"A-all right, boss" said one, good
naturedly. He turned from them 70
find the girl looking at him with wide
open eyes and parted lips Then. be-
fore the women, be came close 10 the
girl and held out an appealing hand
Sally Sally" he said, very dis
tinctly. Can you forgive me, sallyg
Cannot you love me again. sallyl
Your father shaii not stand between
US, no matter what he is Just lei me
help YOU"
Hush, Jack, she said. very. very
gently. 1T Is father we are burying"
Then will serve you in that and
him" he said. He turned and stood
by the negroes. directing them with
word or a gesture, till they had filled
the grave. They slouched away, and
the group OF women went too. but
Masters took shovel, and heaped a
mound above the grave. shaping II
skilfully, while Sally watched him
with misty eyes. Old Mrs. Virgins
had moved away TO spell out inscrip-
tions on the largest stones; it was. In
reality, holiday to her and she was
making the most OF II IN her nstless
way. But Masters cut an armml Of
iessamlnes when he had finished shaD-
Ing his mound, and brought them
back to the grave. There in the mud
he kneeed and arranged the blos-
SONS to cover the nakedness OF the
fresh dirt as much as possible. All
his while the girl watched him in
silence. a tenderness growing in her
ACE; for she understood what he
meant even better than he himself un-
ierstood H. When at last he had hn-
shed, he arose and stood by old JeR
Virgins grave, holding out his arms
Q her. She came to him Immediately.
'ut. somehow, he felt the difference.
( was surrender, and yet II was re-
erve, too. Il was John Masters pen
nee TO know that his wlfe's love for
I'm must always contain some OF the
ame gentle pity she had felt for the
In old Jen Virgins. An
rev Comstock Mckenzie.