Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-01-19


would have been a good thing" said
Nell. II always did hate him. Do you
think they got off together2"
II can't say" replied the curate,
gravely; II can't imagine that any
man who looked as he did could re
cover. 1t was an awful sight. 1t makes
me shudder even now to think of it,
81 wish bad pepole could be pun
ished cleanly," remarked Nell. 4
don't like to think of any one looking
like that"
"There was something good in them,
after ALL" said Mr.. Leife; they did
stick to one another. If ever man
took his life in his hands Ruffidge did
when he came back after his mate"
WELL returned the young lady, 81
think good people should be good all
through, and bad people bad. Then
you'd know just how to feel about
them"
II suppose there's One who does
know" said the curate, quietly, and
Nell had no reply ready.
AS they stood looking at the black
entrance to the quarry Nell found her
tongue again and asked score of
questions, winding up with the eager
entreaty, do let us go in"
Mr.. Leife shook his head.
'sNo,' he declared, "once is enough;
and, besides, 1T isn't place for a
young lady to walk about in
But" persisted the young lady, cit
was dark when you came, and now 1t
is daylight"
Down there" answered the curate,
sit is as dark at MONDAY es at mid
night. If Phil We're here we might
venture, perhaps"
"Then there he u.s." cried Nell, JOY
fully, $50 now we can go, can't WEI"
Mr.. Leife was rather taken aback,
for it was indeed the boy emerging
from the darkness with a lanthorn in
his hand. AS soon as he saw the Gu
rate he waved his hand and came run
ming, his face big with great tidings.
Come with me- he said; 1--WE
something to show you"
And without waiting for any word Of
assent the boy turned and re-entered
the quarry.
81 suppose | had better go with
him." said Mr.. Leife. "Will you stop
here till come back. or will you run
home at once 2"
II don't want to do either" said
Nell. looking up at him pleadingly;
please let me come, too. will be
very careful and do exactly what you
tell me; will, indeed
Then, seeing signs of wavering in
the curatess eyes, she repeated, please
lSt me come =
Well" he began, rather weakly.
"Yes. will" she said, slipping her
small hand into his, and pulling him
gently along.
Whether it was the difference in
their circumstances or because the
light did not penetrate the gloom, GER
tainly the way seemed to the curate
much less perilous than it had appear
ed a few hours before. AS for Nell,
she was In ecstasies and danced along
SO fearlessly that Mr.. Leife had more
than once to threaten prompt return.
AT the awkward places, however nota-
bly, at the spot where the Weasel had
threatened an attack Of the falling
Sickness she obeyed the curate's di-
rections with absolute docility. Phil
all the time went on steadily in front,
only pausing every now and again to
let them come up close to him. FTe
was evidently full Of some purpose, and
had no room left in his mimi even for
his beloved lizard.
AT length the darkness began to
thin, till the lanthorn became almost
unnecessary, and soon they caught q
glimpse through the tunnel mouth of
the gray sky and tunbltng Sea. They
stood on the ledge where Weasel John
had been taken prisoner The tide was
just about the same height and Mr.,
Leife had little difficu1ty Ia recalling
the scene. Opposite to them, wedged
in between two sharp rocks, was the
skin In which Phil had been carried
ashore. And higher up on the strip oi
beach, canted over on her side. now
lay the big man-of-war's boat, caught
apparently BY the same current.
There's something else down there
too. cried Phil, In high glee, al he
watched the curate's face. I'll show
YOU.
And leaving the lanthorn on the
ledge, he let himself down. 's
Mr.. Letfe followed, and Nell was
4 1rrsiIf ~ d0 IN. o. Is I, x,;1, A, u =