The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-15
(Continued.l

With these words she turned about
and retracing her steps. advanced with
her face toward me- II was the face OF
an elderly woman, brown. rugged. and
healthy, with nothing dishonest or sus-
picious in the look OF g. Close TO the
church. she stopped to pull up her shawl
closer around her
Queer" she said TO herself always
queer with her whims and her ways.
ever since can remember her. Harm
less. though-as harmless, poor soul as
a little child"
She sighed; looked about the burial
ground nervously; shook her head as II
the dreary prospect by no means pleased
her. and disappeared round the corner Of
the church.
l doubted for a moment whether I
ought ~ follow and speak to her.or not
My intense anxiety 20 find myself face
TO face with her companion helped me
10 decide I'm the negative. / could in
sure seeing the woman in the shawl by
waiting near the church-yard until she
came back-although II seemed more than
doubtful whether she would give me the
information or which | was IN search
The person who had delivered the letter
was OF little consequence. The person
who had written IL was the one center OF
interest. and the one source OF nforma-
tion; and that person / now felt convin-
eel was before me In the church yard
While these ideas were passing through
my mind. ] saw the woman i'm the cloak
approach close to the grave, and stand
looking at IL for a little while. She then
glanced all round her, and taking "A white
linen cloth or handkerchief from under
her cloak. turned aside toward the brook.
The little stream ran into the church
yard under a tiny archway In the bottom
of the wall, and ran out again, after a
winding course OF a few dozen yards,
under a similar opening. She dipped the
cloth in the water, and returned TO the
grave. I saw her kiss the white cross:
then kneel down before the inscription.
and apply her wet cloth 40 the cleansing
OF IL.
After considering how I sould show
myself with the least possible chance OF
frightening her. I resolved to cross the
wall before me. TO skirt around IL outside,
and to enter the church yard again by
the stile near the grave. in order that she
might see me as approached. She was
so absorbed over her employment that
she did not hear me coming until had
stepped over the stile. Then. she looked
up. started TO her feet with a faint cry.
and stood facing me in speechless and
motlonless terror
Don't be frightened" I said Surely
you remember me?"
j stopped while spoke-then advanced
a few steps sently--then stopped again.
and so approached by little and little,
till ! was close to her. II there had been
any doubt still left in my mind, 1t must
now have been set al rest. There speak
ing affr.ghtedly for itself-there was the
same face confronting me over Mrs.
Fairlie's grave which had first looked in
TO mine on the high-road by night.
lyon remember rne7'' I said ssXVa
met very late. and I helped you to find
the way TO London. Surely you have
not forgotten that?"
Her features relaxed, and she drew a
heavy breath OF relief. | saw the new
life OF recognition stirring slowly under
the death-like stiffness which fear had
set on her face.
"Dons attempt to speak 10 me, just
yet. ] went on. Take time TO recover
time 10 feel quite certain
that | am n friend"
You are very kind TO me-" she muir /
m.red. "As kind now, as you were /
then
She stopped, and 7 kept silence on my
side. was not granting time for com
posure to her only. was gaining time
llso for myself. Under the wan Wild
evening light. that woman and | were
met together again; a grave between us,
The dead about us, the lonesome hills
closing US round on every SIDE. The
time, the place. the circumstances un-
der which we now stood face 90 face IN
the evening stiffness OF that dreary val
ley; the lifelong interests which might
hang suspended on the next chance
words that passed between us: the sense
that, for aught | knew 10 the contrary,
The whole future OF Laura Fairle's life
might be determined. for good or for
Evil. by my winning or losing the conf
ience OF the forelorn creature who stood
trembling by her mothers grave-all
threatened TO shake the steailness and
he self-control on which every inch OF
he progress ] might yet make now de-
pended. ] tried hard, as ] felt this. TO
possess myself of all my resources.
| did my utmost TO turn the few mo-
nents for reflection TO the best account.
Are you calmer. now?' said. as soon