Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1904-03-11

yentur, 70 let her 20 alone I went with
her 10 Tallahassee.
As ! lad expected and dreaded, the
cemetery superintendent recognized me
as Mr.. Hargreave. but IL seemed 10
fortunately escape her notice. lie made
no d.hiculty about allowing tie grave
10 be opened. but postponed IL until
the next day. as the hour was then
late. To my great relief. immediately
after dinner Miss Bell carried her grief
60 her room. At least / 80 suppose. a.
| saw no more of A-r that evening.
though | have since suspected other
wise. My friend. the city editor.
CHANGED 10 drop In. was glad Ia see Ire.
and we hard little Md cOnviviality.
While We were in tAr uarruoG | no
ticed loafing about H. loor fat and
ragged darky whose walk and attitudes
seemed vaguely familiar. | fancied once
that he wished 10 speak rn me. but my
editorial companion ,vas ..sii- the way.
and when / thought Of him again he
had disappeared. driven away by some
one, 10 doubt
The next morning / accompanied
Miss Bell 10 the cemetery. The super
intendrnt was quite ready for rs \
couple of darhic> We're just raising the
coffin to the piled car,h beside the
opened grave. Three or four men who
had been aimles-ly -Jrollin- about
reading inscriptions and almiring mon
uments Joined our little group. looking
on curioUs.y. Their prrSeu0r did not
seem likely 10 be an interference. aud
| thought it best not To object Miss
Bell stood beside me. -Atiy ciutching
my rigE, arm
Under my direction the coffin was
opened. as upon the former occasion. 80
a. 10 merely expose the glass, There
did not appear to have been the slight
est change in the handsome face upon
which we looked. II was as fresh aud
naturally colored as II poor Harry had
been alive Miss Bell bent down. gaz-
ing inteutiy at it, and | fancied. though
| could hardly believe my sen>es, that
she was shaking a. if with suppressed
laughter mysteries IN auu.Ler min
ute" said TO myself. But Instead OF
that she drew herself mp and 10 my
horror. ordered: Take the Did of en-
tirely. | want to See all that j. left of
my dear Harry.
"Nor on your life I shoutcd. for
the idea scared me more than you can
imagine. But in moment my mind
got lis second wind. 50 10 speak. and
continued, with dignity, "Eyen mad
passion must respect the ~iuctity Of
the tomb" She insisted, / protested.
Never did see a mule 80 obstinate as
dainty, blue eyed little FioSsie Bell.
Finally l fatty declared | would not
allow the coffin to be opened. Upon
that she got nip like little steel
wise on my arm and in a commanding
tone said to the men | had supposed
innocent strangers "Beu~oIl. Whitley.
take Off that lid. Wr.-a., catch that
niger" pointing az the same fat darky
l had seen the night before and who
was now lounging near by.
The darky started 10 run. but Wright
got him in three jumps and handcuffed
him. | tried 10 break loose and she
showed the muZZle Of revolver under
my nose At the same instant a sturdy
villain whose name did not catch un-
dertook to put the bracelets on me.
and, though | put NJ ii pretty good
fight, he Succeeded. Ju~l then that city
editor joined uS, and | never saw Il
man. seem so surprised
While perforce stool looking on in
helpless rage the coffin was opened.
Dear Harry's face was an admirable