Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-12-28
SILVER SPUR
CHAPTER VIII.


In that hut | lay four nights and -four
DAYS. between ague fit and fever And
chat Is all the account I can give of the
cine, save that on the second day, the
girl left me alone in the hut and de-
scended TO the plain, where, after asking
at many cottages for a physician, she
was forced TO be content with an old
woman rCputed to be amazingly well
skilrd in herbs and medicines; whom, af-
ter days trial. she turn'd out Of doors.
On the fourth day, fearing for my life,
she made another descent. came back and
EnIx'd a potion that threw me into pro-
found sweat. The same evening l sat
up, a sound man.
Indeed. so thoroughly was | recovered
chat, waking early next morning and
finding my sweet nurse asleep from sheer
WEAKNESS in corner Of the hut, l stag
oer'd I'D from my bed OF dried bracken
and out into the pure air. Rare it was
to stand and drink it in like wine. A
Sootstep arous'd me. Twas Mistress
Della; and. turning, held out my hand.
"Now this is famous" said she; "a
day or two will see you as good man
as ever"
"A day or two? Tomorrow, at latest.
4 shall make trial TO start" | noted a
sudden change on her face, and added:
@'Indeed. you must hear my rea ms be-
fore setting me down for an CRATE"
and told her of the Kings lettp. that |
carried II hoped that for while our
was might lie together" said /; and
broke off for she was looking me earn
-astly in the face.
"Sir, as you know, my brother An
&hony was to have met me-nay, for
PHYS sake. turn not your face away; l
have guess'd-the sword you carry
mArk'd it. Sir, be merciful, and tell
met
LEI her little aside to the foot Of a
tall pine; and there tho it wrung my
heart, told her all: and left her to wrestie
with this final sorrow. She was 50 ten
der a thing to be stricken thus that I
who had dealt the blow crept b. * 10
che hut, covering my eyes. In an hours
time lo0k'd out She was gone.
At nightfall she ret irn'd, white with
grief and fatigue; yet [ was glad to see
her eyes red and swo'n with weeping
Throughout our supper she kept silence;
but when twas over looA'd up and spoke
In a steady tone
risk being held mportunate-"
From you to me-" | put in. "all talk
of favors had best be dropp'd.'
"No--iisten. If ever it befel you to
lose father or mother or dearly loved
friend, you will know how the anguish
gtuns-Oh, sir! to-day the sun seemed
fallen out Of heaven, and ! a blind crea-
ture left cropping in the void. Indeed,
SIR, It's no wonder; had a father. broth
er and servant ready to die for me--three
hearts to love and lean on; and to-day
they are gone"
would have spoken, but she held up
a hand.
Now, when you spoke OF ANTHONY
dear lad!-I lay for some time dazed
with grief. BY little and little. as the
truth grew palmer, the pain grew also
past bearing. | stood up and staggered
into the woods to escape It, | went fast
and straight, needing nothing. for az first
my senses were all confused: but in
while the walking cleared my wits. and 1
could think and thinking, 1 could weep;
and having wept, could fortify my heart
Here is the upshot, sir-though It's held
&mmodest for maid to ask even far less
kwall-you on an honorable mission, for
fn,F fathers estate at Gleys, wherefrom
e tas your tale provost some unseen hands
are thrusting me Alike We carry our
Aiyes in our hands. You must 60 for
ward; | may not go back. For from a
King who cannot right his own affairs
there Is little hope; and in Cornwall 1
hATe snrer friends than he Therefore
Itasss me, sir--take me for comrade!
Am / sad Do you fear q weary jour
ney? / viii smile-laugh -sing-put
sorrow behind me- l viii contrive n
thousand ways to cheat the milestones.
At the first hint Of tears discard me and
sc your way with no prick Of conscience.
Only try me-oh, the shame of speaking
thus
Her voice had grown more rapid to-
wand the close; and now. breaking of,
she put both hands to cover her face
that was hot with bushes. | went over
and look them in mine
You have made me the blithest man
alive" said l.
She drew back a pace with a fright
ened look, aud would have pulled her
hands away.
have paid me this high compliment 70
trust me. Proud was / to listen to you;
and merriiy will the miles pass with
sou for comrade And SO / pray-Mis.
tress Killigrew. take me for your ser
want"
To my extreme dscomposure. as !
dropped her hards, her eyes were twink
ling with laughter.
Dear now! see a duh prospect ahead
II we use these long titles
But"
Indeed. sir, please yourself Only as
I intend 70 call you Jack perhaps De
Tia will be more Of piece than Mis-
tress Killigrew. She dropped me a
mock courtesy "And now, Jack, be a
good boy. and hitch ne this quilt across
the hut. bought it yesterday at a
cottage below here"
She ended the sentence with the pref.
'Liest blush imaginable and so. having
fxed her screen, WE shook hands on our
comradeship and WISHED each other good
night.
CHAPTER TX.
Almost before daylight we were afoot
and the first ray OF cold sunshine found
us stepping from the woods into the
plain, where now the snow was vanish
and gistening coat OF rime spread
over all things.
On the far s de Of the valley we enter
ed a wood. thinking by this to shorter
our way. Now, at first this wood seem
ed Of no considerable size, but thickenet
and spread as we advanced. Twas only