Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-01-16
Reeks, with another groan. what does


it matter? Whatever tell her she's not
likely to believe: if told her one-half
of what has happened to me tonight
she'd say was raving mad. l really
think, gentlemen" he added, that you
had better put me quietly out or my
misery and bury me with the other
man."
In a few minutes however, the voice
of the lady at the gate had died down
to a more reasonable tone; she was
even heard to express an apology FOR
having disturbed anyone at such late
hour. They heard Cornelius shut the
gate: saw his lantern bobbing about
in the darkness as he went grumbling
back to the house: heard him talk to
someone who callenged him from
window above. and explain who the
visitor had been and what was wanted;
heard the house door bang-and then
silence.
They got up from the ground and
set about their CHASTITY work. The light
of the lantern was turned on again,
and it was set upon the ground, so that
the rays would fab upon the lower part
of the wall and attract no attention.
Gilbert pulled out an old, rusty spade
from the shelter of the bushes. where
it had evidently been placed in readi-
ness for the work; and, with vigorous
strokes. began to turn the hard earth.
Then cane another interruption-and
this time a more startling one than the
fist. Out from that dark house. from
which they had carried the body, came
a figure straight towards them; in its
hand it carried another lantern. which
threw broader beams of light about it's
path than their own feeble, glimmer-
ing ray could have done. Terrified,
they drew together, and, stopped the
work, and waited it's comIrg.
keep steady, and stand clear of'my
ARM whispered Gilbert, Strengthening
his back and grasping the spade. eff
this is old Cornelius, or that villain. his
master. Heaven have mercy on them"
They stood, in absolute silence, await
ing the coming of the figure. But when
it got to within a few yards of where
they stood, and Gilbert Rickerby had
already raised. the spade in his hands
to strike. they saw by the light of the
lantern. that this was no man come to
spy upon them, no creature to be dealt
With by blows. Instead, the bowed fig
ure. of an old woman, who came, quite
calmly, up to them, and, after glance
at the body, while they stood in stupe-
faction, looking at her, said, quietly, in
a sort of gentle murmur:
You don't seem to ave a good light
ere, Master Gilbert. Don't you mind
me; if you stands a-staring like that
you won't never git done afore day
light"
c,fo y.n6 OF 1oo Nd a a
Gilbert asked, in low voice of Won
der: But do you know. Jemima, what
we're doing? Do you know that this
man"
Don't talk-con;t TALK" she replied,
with an impatient gesture of ner hand.
There's many things 1 know and see,
and yet say nothing about. But, oh
the time is comin'-the time is comm
fast!" She raised her eyes to the dark
sky above her, and seemed to whisper
the words to herself.
Without further words, Gilbert went
to work at a great rate, and soon
cleared out a, space deep enough to
cerve for a grave. Reverently they
laid the burden in; and then, before
replacing the earth, Gilbert Rickerby
knelt and made shift to say some sort
Of prayer over the man who had served
him faithfully and who had met his
death in his service.
ooh, Cod" he whispered, ''let it be
that what say, hurnbly and sorrowful-
ly, over this poor clay tonight, may
reach high Heaven and find favor.
There is no service like that this poor
fellow gave-which gives all, even life
itself, and seeks for nothing in return.
Grant that he may rest as lightly here
as he might in any place where Thy
children sleep. And, oh, God!"-he
started to his feet and savagely
clenched his hands--"giye me the pow
er and the strength to track down the
man who did this thing-give me the
power-give me the"
He broke down utterly there and COW
cred his face with his hands and sobbed
aloud. After few moments he recov-
cred himself, and set to work to oblt-
crate all traces of the burial. as much
a; possible, distributing the earth
among the roots Of. the bushes and
making the general surface of the
ground as level as he could. That done,
he thrust the spade into it's former
hiding place. then stood up and ad-
dressed the three who watched him:
Remember" he said, that swear
you all to secrecy about this thing until
I can speak of it myself. Mr.. Reeks,
here, knows Why I have hidden the
body Of my poor servant like this. 1t
is for the sake of a young and innocent
girl; and for her sake, rerlain now in
this accused place. instead of leaving
the shadow of it forever be hind me, as
I wish to do. Mr.. Taggett, the time
may come when I may have need of
your help-and know you will not fail
me. For the present. Mr.. Reeks is go
ing to help me: he has promised to
take charge of this young lady for a lit
tie time, until l can take charge of her
myself Taggett, you were ever a good
actor"
Sir replied Anthony Taggett. with
emotion, and with hand on his breast.
you are one Of the few who have
deigned to say So
"And you will, am sure. play good
part here. Dissemble. my friend, as
much as possible: whether your stay
in this house be long or short, keep a
watchful eye on Nugent Leathwood,
and say nothing Of the events of to-