The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-09-09
His Hearts Desire
By SIR WALTER BEsANT
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Bv SIR WALTER BESANT

him, II thought l would come here first
and see his grave-his grave-the place
where they laid him; and I thought
would read what they wrote over him
how he died, you know-just out of curl
osity, and for something to remember"
Laid whomY'
81 should like to think that had seen
actually seen-his grave" he went on.
But the night has turned dark, and
can't read the names. and haven't got a
match upon me- Will you tell me where
they've laid him?"
ing for?"
II am looking for the headstone of
Daniel Leighan. Old Dan, they used to
call him. Who died six years ago, or
| Whereabouts"
you mean Mr. Leighan of Gratnor?'
"The same, the same' l suppose Mary
Nethercote got Gratnor when he died.
They always said that he would leave
her all he had. Gratnor Farm and Fox
worthy and Berry Down. Oh, she'd be
rich with all those lands"
"Who told you that Daniel Leighan
was dead?"
Il saw it," he replied. hesitating-"1
saw it in the papers. There was some
talk about it at the time, I believe. A
IA coroner's inquest, I was told; but
I never heard the verdict. Perhaps you
remember the verdict, Will Nethercote,
and would kindly tell me? l am-yes-
1 am curious to hear what the verdict
Of the jury was"
"You are strangely misinformed. Dan
iel Leighan is not dead"
There is only one Dan Leighan, and
he is dead" returned the strange man.
II tell you that old Dan Leighan is
still living. He is paralyzed in his legs,
if you call that dead; but if you have
business with him you will find that he is
very much alive"
mot dead?" The man reeled and
caught at the pillars of the porch. 'Not
dead? Do you know what you are say
ing"
"No more dead than you"
ooh" he groaned; this is a trick you
are playing. What do you play tricks
for? He is dead and buried long since"
Il think you must be mad, whoever
you are. 1 tell you that Daniel Leighan
is alive, and now in his chair at home.
where you may find him tonight if you
please to look for him.
mot dead! not dead" BY the fire.
quent flashes of the lightning had now
made out that he was a very rough-look-
ing man, in very ragged and tattered
dress, looking like a laboring man. mot
dead-can it be? Then I've had all the
trouble for nothing-all the trouble for
nothing. Not dead?" He kept on saying
this over and over again, as if the won
der of the thing was altogether too much
for him.
"What do you mean," 1 asked, '.by
your rubbish about an inquest and a
i verdict? What inquest should there be?
And what do you mean by saying that
| you saw it in the papers?'
"Not dead? Then how should his
| ghost walk if he is not dead? Are you
sure that Daniel Leighan-Old Dan
is alive this day-the same Old Dan??''
II suppose it is the same Old Dan.
There never has been any other Old
Dan that know Of"
ct can't be the same. 1t must be
the evil one"
THAT is possible, and now you men
ton it, 1 think he may be, and very like
ly is. But wouldn't say so openly if
were you"
mot deadv'
He turned and walked slowly away.
1 heard him stepping over the stile, and
then the sound of his footsteps ceased.
as if he was walking over the village
green, which, in fact, was the case.
The voices Of the choir ceased; the
candles were extinguished; and the sing
ers came out. We two men walked home
with Mary. l told them on the way my
little adventure with the strange man
peering about among the tombs.
WHO could it be?" asked Mary.
Il thought l knew his footstep, but
l did not know his voice. l cannot tell
who it was. He knew your voice. Mary:
and yours, George; and Harry, the black
smith's-Good heavensv'-for here my
memory of the man came back suddenly
with one of the lightning fashes-"good
heavens! how did come not to recognize
him at once? Mary, it was!-how could
have forgotten? Why, the thing may
change your whole future"
will, what do you mean?"
Your whole future, Mary. Your uncle
refuses his consent because he thinks
that David is dead; well, then, David is
alive! For the man who prowled among
the tombs and wanted to see your uncle s
headstOne was no other than David
Leighan himself-come home again in
rags"
CHAPTER TX.
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