Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-12-19
CHAPTER M. lCnnfinnedA

AT h Marble Arch the nan stopped
and civilly parted from them, pointed
opt their way and logged on again. as
good-humoreily as ever. 1t was now
very late. and there was no prospect,
for the Taggetts. at least. but TO walk
90 their destination. The woman who
accompanied them made no suggestion
a. to taking any conveyance. and was
probably al penniless as they were.
Mr. Taggett made a feeble attempt as
they went along. to beguile the walk
with suggestions of the uproarious
laughter with which the events OF the
day would be greeted i'm select circles
In years to come. but Mrs. Taggett did
not seem TO see the point Of the joke at
that particular time, and the stranger
strobe along beside them without pay
Ing the slightest attention to anything
that was said.
Thus is raj that. worn-out, bedrag-
gled and faint with hunger. the three
came, at last. to the gate I'm the wall
which led to Rickerby's Folly, and 1t
was the loud and persistent ringing of
b bell by Anthony Taggett which
produced such a startling effect on Cor
neilus and his master.
After some slight delay the gate was
opened, N the old man stood looking
at them. with the lantern held above
his head, the better TO scan their faces.
. After a little parleying. the gate was
shut. after they had been admitted into
the rined garden; and they stood there
close together. speaking In whispers.
and wondering what was to happen
next. Cornelius. In the meantime, had
gone n the house, as has already
hnan Fn1afod@ N ftan N HAIL. I,,w-g.1 At
cussion. Nugent gave orders that the
people We're TO be admitted. The better
20 receive them, he sat down at a table,
apparently busy with correspondence,
and composed himself as much as pos
sihle.
The first to enter the room was An
thony Taggett. followed by ,is wife.
Nugent Leathwood, who had made up
his mind what part to play, sprang up
at once and went towards them, with a
cordial smile and with his hands out
stretched.
II beg that you viii not offer any
apologies" he began, hurriedly. ANY
friend. OF poor Gilbert Rickerby must,
of necessity. be a friend Of mine. / un-
derstand that you have come a long
way to see him?'
Mr. Taggett nodded: he was some
what surprised by the warmth of this
welcome from a stranger. and was
about to gasp out a question. when Nu-
gent began again. hurTiedly:
Your errand. in so far as 1t relates
20 Gilbert fickerby, Is a fruitiess one.
Gilbert Rlckerby is dead. Do not speak
of II, / beg: i will tell you all on
another occasion. For the present. as
i have said. you are my friends, be-
cause you were his: for tonight, at
least. we will find accommodation for
you here.
Mr.. Taggett was about to make some
attempt to give expression to his sur
prise and sorrow. when he observed an
extraordinary change come over the
face OF Nugent Leathwood: he saw,
too, that that gentleman was looking
straight past the mar whose hand he
held. towards the door by which they
had entered. Turning his own head
quickly he saw. standing near the door,
the woman who had accompanied them
on their journey; she stood quite still.
frow ming heavily.
What are YOU talking about?" she
said, harshly. What nonsense is this,
about Gilbert Rickerby being dead?
Why--you told me that you were Gill
bert Rickerby when we
.Yes-yes, Ursula-I KNOW know"
exclaimed Nugent. hurriedly. II told
o that. toto try you--to test your
your love-Well, what the dickens do
you want -
Old Cornelius had crept to his elbow
and stood there, striving excitedly to
attract his attention. In a hoarse
whisper, distinctly heard by the three
who stood watching them. the old man
man tremblingly blurted out his news:
"The gell-Rickerby's gel.-I can't
hnd 'er anywheres!"