Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-11-17

then the heavy. regular thud of we,
earth thrown from height. The new
grave was being filled up.
Whilst this still held them with 4
reminder of the mornings work a door
above was opened and shut quickly
Then they heard confused falling
sound and scream. They rushed up
stairs, feeling sick with an unacknowl'
edged terror. The bride lay on he'
bedroom floor in dead faint. q, =.
He Joined them at lunch and spoke re-
gretfully Of the fact that Bertha was
not well enough to leave her room.
I'D looked forward so to this" he
said. ITO the being with you all again.
OF course, I see now that was bit OF
a fool not to have prepared you in some
way. Butt was so anxious to get back.
And it seemed to me that being Chris
tians, you would find it natural enough.
I wonder more don't return. But it's
an effort. suppose Incidence keeps
them on the other side."
"You mustn't think I'm hurt or any
thing of that kind" he began in a dep
recating, explanatory tone. sss'"sOf course
know how glad you all are, but you're
startled. You mustn't fancy l don't
understand. In a dav or two the shock
will have passed off, and we shall all
be happy together IS we used to be-
Poor little Bertha. fie sudden Joy was
almost too much for her, wasn't it?"'
ho ~
her father on one side. "All those
,wreaths,' she said, "oaght to be ar.
ranged on the grave, oughtn't they!
People will wonder"
's"Yes," he answered. "You're quits
right-it ought to be DONE" 4
She got her hat and went across into
the churchyard, grateful for the fresh
air and the sane. ordinary appearance
of the outer world. Her brother went
to the window and looked out, saw her
among the tombstones STOPPING over
her work.
He turned to his father with a bitter
smile. Dorothy was always a tidy
little SOUL" he said; "but it's extraor-
binary how illogical woman can be-,
AS the day passed they noticed q
change in him. He had always been OF
an open, happy disposition, fond OF
companionship, and easily pleased. 1t
was in this mood that he had returned.
But their secret terror, the uncontroll-
able aversion Of which they were so
much ashamed, told after awhile on
the mental atmosphere. Outwardly
they bore the tension of his presence
pretty well. It is astonishing how soon
horror becomes homely. Only he,
who knew their voices and the little
affectionate habits of their daily life,
saw that he was being treated as q
visitor.
Bertha came down to tea with an air
of determined placidity, which sat oddly
on her babyish face. But she still
wore her black dress. She was careful
not to be left alone with her husband.
He was moody now and silent; but I
think they found this less horrible than
his gayety had been. Once he said,
in a tone that was almost sulky: For
a reunited family We manage to con-
ceal her raptures pretty well.'
Then Magdalen, the younger sister.
who had never loved him much, put on
an air of fierce cheerfulness,. talking
and laughing loudly, but it did not con-
vince. &~
At dinner they were silent, and tho
tone of his voice when he spoke was re-
sentful They all knew themselves to
be behaving crully-worse, awkward
ly; but any other conduct seemed inn
possible.
AS bed time approached they looked
at one another with a new fear. To-
gether they were invulnerable; but each
dreaded the dark hours, and In the
faces of the others saw her own ter
ror. .-. The. girls were, full Of pity for
the bride, but they did not dare offer
their companionship.
AS the clock struck II he got up and
looked at his wife. There came over
his face an expression which meant de-
termination and also a great expectancy.
She rose, too, and went almost steadily
10 Luc UOOE. 4ACA law y s%S WAAs0 eeAA~A
her eyes stared curiously. They heard
her run upstairs with sudden scutter-
ing rush of frightened animal. Her
door closed sharply and the key was
turned in the lock-twice, in a sort OF
frenzy Of haste. Ii the room below
there was quietness for q moment or two
and feeling of unbearable suspense.
No one dared look at the bridegroom.
who had remained standing in the posi-
ton he took up when his wife rose from
her seat.
Presently he went and stood befon'
his father and spoke-without anger,
but in a tone that suggested an 1al"
terable loneliness.
Il must apologize, father, he sale.
''for having annoyed you and the off,
ers like this. It was mistake-1 ha
not realized that a grave could be 50
quickly filled up. But you will soon
forget. Eleven hours Of reality are not
too much out of a lifetime of illusion"
He. went out, but stopped on tho
threshold for an instant.
Persuade Bertha that am not an
HCbo t. e,,oh =.