Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-01-16

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Of what has happened 20 me to-nignt
she'd say I was raving mad. reaiis
think. gentlemen" he added, that yon
had better put me quietly OF ms
misery and bury me with h otheF
mani
In a few minutes however. the voice
az the lady at h gate had died down
70 a more reasonable tone: she was
ayen heard to express an apology Tor
having disturbed anyone at such a late
hour They heard Cornelius shut the
gate. saw his lantern bobbing about
in the darkness as he went grumbing
hack 10 The house: heard him talk TO
someone. who cailenged him from a
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
Go, about their ghastly work. The light
of the lantern was turned on again,
and Il, was set upon the ground. so that
the rays would fan upon the lower part
of the wall and attract no
Gilbert pulled u 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 nard earth.
Then cane another interruption-and
this time a more startling n tina the
first. Out from that dark house. from
which they lad carried the body, anne
a figure straight towards them: In its
hand ii carried another lantern. which
threw broader beams of light about its
path than their own feeble. glimmer-
ing ray could have done. Terrified,
they drew together. and stopped the
work, and waited its coming.
Keep steady, and stand clear OF my
arm" whispered Gilbert, Strengthening
his back and g-asping the spade. IF
this is old Cornelius, or hat villain. his
master. Heaven have mercy on them"
They stood. in absolute silence, await
ing the coming Of the figure. But when
1t 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 wonlan who came, quite
calmly. UP to them, and. after a 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: IL you stands a-staring like that
you won't never git dome afore day
light"
Still they stared at her: and at last
Gilbert asked, in a low voice Of Won
der: But do you know, Jemima, what
we're doing? Do you know that this
mar"
Don't ~talk-cont talk." she replied,
with an impatient gesture of ner hand.
There's many things I know and see,
and vet 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 Ricksrby
knelt and made shift to say some sort
of prayer ovar the man who had served
him faithfully ms who had met his
death in his service.
"Oh, God" he whispered. 'let ii be
that what / say, humbly and sorrowful-
ly, over this poor clay tonight, mag
reach high Heaven and find favor.
There is no service like that this poor
fellow gaye-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, Godi"-he
started TO his feet n savageiy
cienched his hands-"give me the pow
err and the strength 10 track down the
man who did his thing-give me the
power-giye me the"
He broke down utterly there and COW
cred his face with his hands and sobbed
aloud. After a few moments he recov-
cred himself. and set % work 10 obIit-
crate all traces or the burial. as much
as possible, distributing the earth
among the roots Of the bushes and
making he general surface Of the
ground as level as he could. That done,
he thrust the spade into its former
hiding place. then stood up and adj
dressed the three who watched him:
Remember" he said. that / swear
you all 10 secrecy about this thing until
I can speak OF it myself, Mr.. Reeks.
here, knows why 1 have hidden the
body Of my poor V like this. II
Is fos the sake Of a young ard innocent
girl: and for her saxe, j rer1ain now in
this accused place. instead of leaving
the shadow OF II forever be hind me, as
I wish TO do. Mr.. Taggett. the time
may come when i may have need of
your ~help-and I know you will not fail
me. For the nresent. Mr.. Reeks is GO
ing to help me: he has promised to
take charge Of tEfs young lady for a lit
tie time. until I a take charge OF her
myself. Taggett. you were ever a good
actor"
"Sir." replied Anthony Taggett. with
emotion. and with a hand on his breast.
you are one OF the few who have
deigned TO say So"
And you will, I am sure. play a good
part here Dissembie. my friend. as
much as possible. whether your stay
In this house be long or short, keep a
watchful eye on Nugent Leathwood.
and saw nnfbfu1 ~ tha aveufS NJ ~