The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1904-10-27
y Bound by a Spell

sas As-NA ~
tie Bethlehem. and thought, with q shud-
der. Of my marriage dag. Then ! en-
tered the town. and took the street that
led me past the old Abbey ruins. I had
never seen them since that October
night. l stopped nc the old Norman gate
way, IN psered into LIS shadows. almost
expecting 10 encounter the sweet. pale
face again. But all was silent and
dsssrtsd-uot q soul was In sight.
whittier was ! Eoingf ! was going 20
Martha. I had carefully preserved her
nots. knew abe would give me a shell
ter until ! could obtain some kind Of
employment. When I reached the next
iowa I would sell the bundle Of clothes.
and the money would provide mo With
food and Lodging On the way. had no
conception Of the road. bet I resolved
that I would take the one down which
I had seen her disappear. She said tiat
she understood that 20 be the right one.
I would follow In her steps.
The day was Just dawnlng when I
came upon a large, old-fashioned village.
Unused TO violent exercise. and exhaust
Cd for want OF food. for A had eaten
nothing sinee dinner time the day before.
my steps began 20 DAG. looked round
some place 20 rest: there was no sixn
Of life In any OF the houscs-all seemed
buried In sleep. walked slowly ON
Until I came 20 a little swing gate. which
led 10 the village church-an ant i"nt
looking building. embossed In trees.
Hero. I thought, Is a quiet spot where
I can rest a little while. opened the
gate. and passed through.
Il was a pretty. quiet spot. could
nse have found q better for an hours
rest. There Wa a heavy dew upon the
long grass. 10 I stretched myself upon a
high. fiat tombstone. and placed my bun
die beneath my head. I was very weary.
and In spite OF the cold air Of the dawn.
that made me SILVER. / fell fast asleep.
| with the twittering Of the waking birds
sounding In my ears.
When ! awoke the sun was shining
brightly, and the birds were In FUN song.
For a moment l could not comprehend
my position. I sat up and looked rousd.
hut NV doubts were only of a second.
Then I knelt down against my stone
bed and offered mp = thanksgiving for
my deliverancs. and a fervent prayer
for my future safety.
When I rose from my knees I became
conscious that I was not alone. Seated
upon q tomb a little distance from me.
and attsntivsly watching me. was an
old gentleman dressed like a resrecta-
BILE farmer.
"Good morning. young man." he said,
In a CHEEKY voice: you've had rather q
cold bed, I'm thinking. l suppose you've
bean travelling all nighty'
yes. air." answered. From Bury"
. why, that isn't more than ten miles,
| You should have had a little more sleep
In your bed. mr. lad. and have started
about this time. Enough 20 give you
your death OF cold TO lie out here and 70
TO sleep In the dew. You don't look
very strong. either. Wherever you're
going. you won't get on now till you've
had q Bit of breakfast"
I colored mp nc the mention OF break
fast had not n farthing Of money,
and until I could dispose OF the con-
tents Of my bundle. I could not procure
q mouthfui. I Thanked him. took up my
bundle, wished him good morning and
turned 10 30.
"stsp. stop! come here a minute" he
called out.
advanced q few steps nearer to him.
He scrutinixed me more carefully than
ever. with tho expression Of q man who
was about TO mako q proposition Of
doubtful prudence.
Hero, here. you shall come and break
fast with me-" he said. after q minutes
pause. ct Ike the look OF you. aud I
don't think you're q tramp"
Thanked him very much for his kind
ness, which. under the circumstances. l
certainly had not strength OF mind
enough 20 decline. We left the church
yard and proceeded down a lovely green
lane canopisd with trees.
II always rise at Eve" said the old
gentleman, a. We walked along; and,
unlcss IL IL very bad weather, take q
walk a. far as he churchyard. It's
been my custom for many years, and, I
apes will continue to be 90 uatil some
morning / am carried there, never 10
come back again. Nothing like exercise.
however, aud the esrly morning air.
10 delay that iite event: but not sleep
ing on tombronea," he added, with a
laugh.
After about TIN minutes walk we
stopped before q dor In a high garden
wall, which my conductor opened with a
key, and facing US nj the end Of q gsr-
den path was the prettisst cottage I had
ever seen. very old-fashionsd. and en-
tisly covered with roses md ~woodhinss.
that loaded the whole air with delicious
psrfuns. The garden was beautifully
laid cut Ia aowsr beds: on ono side vas
q grape house. en- the other q conserve
tsry. nllsd with the most brilliant col
crSd plants. Tho rays Of the morning
sun were slsnting brightly across the
scene. and imparting TO IL the most
3~syously cheerful air.
-Hsw Different 20 the house l have
Just lsftr' I thought.
Pretty place. lsn't itT' said the old
geatlsman.
"Dwestly pretty" I murmured.
He led the way Into q little low
rosfsd con-. darksasd By the ovsvhsnS-
Ing blossoms that hung thiekly over the
latfieed window. IL was comfortably.
indeed. handsomely. furnished. The table
was laid for breakfast. A second cup
and saucer and plate were soon produced
By q hind looking. mbddis-sged woman.
and ! was sooa sittias before = rubstan-
tisl meal Of ssxs and bacon. and cold
beef, TO be washed down by plenty Of
strong coffee. Never had food been %
grateful 20 me before. nnd / certainly