Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-01-16
CHAPTER xI.
The Burial an the Garden.


The Burial an the Garden.
ConstitutfcnalIy. Mr.. Anthony Tag
gett was not a brave man; whatever
bravado he put on for the profession he
put on with the clothes which were a
part OF the bravado. and shed it. as he
that, at the moment when he was
caught In that strong grip and entan-
gled in that disastrous sheat-he felt
himself helpless and at the mercy of an
apparently desperate mamie capitu-
lated rapidly and completely. He fell
upon his knees and sputtered OUT a
prayer that he might be mercifully
dealt with.
After what seemed a very eternity of
time he was jerk=d to his feet and
found himself facing the strong rays of
The lantern. which had been picked up
and turned on again. Then he heard
an exclamation OF establishment, and
the light was turned of swiftly: yet
stiIl the tall man kept that grip upon
his arm. And still the body lay almost
al his feet.
You don't know me, Mr.. Anthony
Taggett?" said a voice which seemed
familiar to him-'at least, you won't
know me at present. But you see that
L know you"
.Y-yes-I-I-see you do" said Mr..
Taggett. ~neryously. LET me assure
you at once tha j had-had no desire
toto intrude in any way upon you
or upon the other excellent gentleman
/ can dimIy see at your elbow. We
all have our little-our little private
businesses to attend to"-he glanced
at tina dim shape on the ground-'and
I would not for the world interfere-in
any such matters"
Unfortunately, Mr.. Taggett," said
the voice again. 'tyou have interfered:
or rather you have blundered upon a
matter which, for obvious reasons. we
wanted to keep TO ourselves. Mr. Tag
gett. there Is a dead man lying at your
feet-don't jump lika that, man.Eand
we are about TO bury him. J. m afraid
that We must press o into the service.
You were ever a man with a taste for
realism. Mr.. Taggett; you'll have it.
with q vengeance, tonight
Gentlemen" said the unhappy act
or. IF you win permit me to return to
the house and 10 ake my place by the
side OF the sleeping Mrs. Taggett, /
swear TO you tnat I will be asleep in as
short a space OF time as is compatible
with my over-wrought nerves: AID
that I viii forget everything that ]
have seen or heard tonight. Gentle
men, I am a peaceful citizen and what
ever may be my desires In the way of
realism on the stage, / can assure You
that / have had more than enough of II
tonight. Gentlemen, / would dissem-
ble!"
The tail man laughed grimiy. and
seemed to take a tighter hold Of An
thony Taggett's arm. Presently, Mr..
Taggatt,'' he said. ssyou shall look or
my face: you shall hear strange things:
shall have old Hes refuted-shaiI look
upon q man you never thought to see
again Meanwhile. I pledge you my
word that IL you win be silent. and viii
help me II necessary you shall rot re-
gret IL, and you viii not be Going any
thing which should be against the con-
science OF a good man"
Mr. Taggett had suddenly begun to
tremble very much; he stretched on!
one hand. and. In a shaking whisper,
exclaimed: give me that lantern
quick
What do you want with the lam
term" asked the voice again.
II want to see your face" whispered
Mr.. Taggett. trembling, yet still in a
holder voice. Fl know your voice now;
1 am shaken all TO pie1es-but, alive on
dead. Gilbert Rickerby, I know you!
Give me the lanterni"
Let him have Ii" seid the voice
again, apparently speaking to the little
man. who had been silent all this time.
Then the light was turned on with q
click. and Mr.. Taggett stretched out his
hand for II, seized II. and tremblingIy
turned the light upon the figure OF the
tall man.
Keep II down. keep it down!" whis-
perea the man. do you want TO rouse
the house. and bring them u upon rs
In the midst of this business? That's
it.-as the light fen upon his face. DC
you know me now p
My Iaertes.'' exclaimed Nj Tag
gett. with emotion. ITO look again up
on the face OF one who has been, In
more prosperous times, my chief walk
Ing gent To see the man who has held
Medora Taggett In his arms on occa-
sion what time she scorned the offer OF
his love. But. my friend. how come
you to revisit thus the giimpses or the
nicou, TO stalk at night"