Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-09-12
CHAPTER XXXIII.

y
but Gods. Pray that he may have mer.
cy upon me. Then as she saw us all
instinctively fall back she controlled
herself, and, pointing toward Mother
James cottage, said more distinctly
"As for those men, let them dig Let
them dig the whole day long. Secrecy
is for us, u secrecy SO absolute that not
even the birds of the air must see that
our thoughts range beyond the 40 rods
surrounding Mother James cottage"
She turned and would have fled away
for the second time, but Mr. Gryce stop
ped her. "You have set yourself a task
beyond your strength. Can you perform
it?'
Il can perform it, - she said, "if Lo-
reen does not talk, and | am allowed to
weep my tears alone.
But had never seen Mr.. Gryce
so agitatod-no, not when he left Olive
Randolph's bedside after an hour of
vain pleading. But to wait all day! Is
it necessary for you to wait all day."
1T is necessary" She spoke like al
automaton Tonight at twilight when
(
before the road turns. Not a minute
sooner not an hour later. | will be
calmer then. And waiting now for
nothing, not for word from Loreen or
a OBTAINING touch from Mr.. Gryce, she
flew away for the second time. This
time Loreen followed her
well, that is the hardest thing !
hnI 4 Nv.
ing his forehead and speaking in a tone
of real grief and anxiety. "Do you
think her delicate frame can stand it?
Will she survive this day and carry
through whatever it is she has set her
self to accomplish"
'She has no organic disease" said l,
"but she loved that yosng Il an very
much, and the day will be terrible
ona IN her -
Mr.. Gryce sighed
Il wish | had not been obliged to ro'
sort to such means" said he, "but
women like that only work under ex.
element. and she does know the secret
of this affair.
"Do you mean, demanded, almost
aghast, THAT you have deceived her
with false telegram; that that slip OF
paper You hold
Reed it, - he cried, holding it ont
toward me.
did read it. Alas, there was no de-
ception in it. 1t was bona fide and read
very much as he had said it did.
However = | began.
But he had pocketed the telegram
and was several steps away before had
got any further.
II am going to start these men up, "
said he. You will breathe no word to
Miss Knollys of my sympathy nor let
your own interest slack III the investi
cations which are going on under our
noses
And with a quick, sharp bow he |
made his way to the gate, whittier ]
his foot upon a patch of rosemary
"You will begin at this place, " he
cried, land work east, and, gentlemen,
something tells me that we will be sue
cessful.
With almost a simultaneous sound a
dozen spades and picks struck the
ground Thedigging up of MotherJane's
garden had begun in earnest.
l staid about that gate most of the
day. If l moved away, l imagined that
Mr.. Gryce was uneasy and wanted me
back under his eye. So as Lucetta was
invisible and Loreen in a strained and
anxious mood, l followed the example
of many of the other villagers who had
ventured into the lane for the first time
in months, and now stood watching ev-
cry shovelful of earth that was thrown
out, disappointing as the task had be
come as hour after hour passed without
any discovery.
Along toward noon l had a diversion
if the rest had not. Mr.. Trohm came
riding up in his buggy, and somewhat
later in the day Deacon Spear came
boldly upon the field, though none toe
near our gate, at which Saracen sat
growing. The talk l had with Mr.
Trohm was of a delicate nature, not bear
ing repetition, but the few curt words
| exchanged with Deacon Spear may
amuse the reader or at least satisfy some
of my good friends that l am not Sc
given over to vanity as to be misled by
every passing compliment man may
pay me.
He was as l was saying, drawn up
Oh the opposite side of the road, but
when he saw me he made very low
bow and sided a step forward. This
made me draw myself up bit, though
| had no idea what was coming He
seemed to take that for an invitation,
for, pointing toward Saracen, he asked
# the dog was quiet, and when l i'll a
superior way answered that he was as
quiet as lamb he edged up to where
was standing and sheepishly held out
MS hand.
Il have been thinking" he drawled,
that it was only neighborly for me to
all upon you, Miss Butterworth. But
his business which has occupied the
ane these last few days has put Us all
INTO such a mood of unpleasantness that
there was no use of trying sociability,
IN any one. "
His hair was so sleek, his eyes so
mall and so twinkling, that began to
nave respect for Williams opinion of
him, but | said nothing, possibly be
,ause / only half heard what he had
Just said himself.
I'm no lddy's man"-these were the
lext words / heard-Hbut, then,
udge, you're not in for fiattery and all
hat kind of thing yourself. So now