The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-03-30
! SILVER SPUR
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
In that hut lay four nights and -four
days, between ague fit and fever. And
that is all the account / can give of the
time, save that, on the second day. the
girl LETT 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 reputed to be amazingly well
skilrd in herbs and medicines; whom. at
ter days trial, she turn'd out Of doors
On the fourth day, fearing for my life
she made another descent, came back and
mix'd a potion that threw me into pro
found sweat. The same evening l sal
up, sound man.
Indeed, so thoroughly was recoyer'd
that, waking early next morning and
finding my sweet nurse asleep from shee,
WEAKNESS In a corner Of the hut, stag
ger'd up from my bed of dried bracker
and out into the pure air. Rare it was
to- stand and drink it in like wine. A
70, step 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 a man
as ever"
"a day or two? Tomorrow, at latest
/ shall make trial to start" noted o
sudden change on her face, and added
Indeed, you must hear my reasons be-
fore setting me down for an migrate,
and told her Of the Kings letter that
carried. II hoped that for while oul
ways might lie together" said /; and
broke off, for she was looking me earn
estly in the face.
"Sir, as you know, ny brother An
thony was to have met me-nay, fol
PHYS sake, turn not your face away;
have guess'd-the sword you carry
mark'd it. Sir, be merciful, and tel
me.v'
led her little aside to the foot of q
tall pine; and there, tho it wrung my
heart, told her all: and left her to wrestle
with this fnsi sorrow. She was so ten
der thing to be stricken thus that
who had dealt the blow crept back to
the hut, covering my eyes. In an hours
time look'd out She was gone.
At nightfall she return'd, white with
grief and fatigue; yet / was glad to see
her eyes red and swol'n with weeping
Throughout our supper she kept silence
but when twas over look'd up and spoke
in a STEADY tone
Sir. l have a favor to ask, and mus,
risk being held importunate
From you to me-" / put in, "all talk
OF favors had best be dropp'd."
"No-listen. If ever it befel you to
lose father or mother or dearly loved
friend, you will know how the anguish
stuns--Oh, sir! to-day the sun seemed
fallen out Of heaven, and l blind crea
frrr Of IN
sir, tbs no wonder; had father, broth
er and servant ready to die for me-three
hearts to love and lean on; and to-day
they are gone"
I would have spoken, but she neld ur
q hand.
"Now, when you spoke of Anthony
dear lad!-I lay for some time daze6
with grief. By little and little, as the
truth grew palmer, the pain grew als(
past bearing. i stood up and staggered
into the woods to escape it. I went tas
and straight, needing nothing, for at frs
my senses were all confused; but in 9
while the walking cleared my wits, and
could think; and thinking, could weep
and having wept, could fortify my heart
Here Is the upshot, sir-though It's held
immodest for a maid to ask even far les:
OF a man We are both bound for Corn
wall--you on an honorable mission, fol
my fathers estate at Gleys, wherefron
(as your tale proves) some unseen hands
are thrusting me. Alike we carry oul
lives in our hands. You must go for
ward; / may not go back. For from {
King who cannot right his own affairs
there is little hope; and in Cornwall
have surer friends than he. Therefor,
take me, sir-take me for a comrade
Am l sad? Do you fear a weary jour
ney? ] will smile-laugh-sing-
sorrow behind me. ! will contrive {
thousand ways to cheat the milestones
At tae first hint Of tears discard me and
&C your way with no prick Of conscience
Only try me-oh, the shame Of speaking
thusr'
Her voice had grown more rapid to
ward the close; and now, breaking of
she put both hands to cover her fac
that was hot with bushes. I went owe
and took them in mine.
You have made me the blithest mai
alive" said 1.
She drew back a pace with q fright
sned look, and would have pulled he
hands away.
Because" l went on quickly; ''yo'
have paid me this high compliment t
trust me. Proud was to listen to you
and merrily will the miles pass wit
you for comrade. And so I pray-Mis
tres Killigrew, take me TO- your ser
want"
To my extreme discompc sure, as
dropped her hands, her eyes were twink
ling with laughter.
Dear now! see dull pr aspect ahea,
IL we use these long titlesv'
But"
Indeed, sir, please yourself. Only a
I intend to call you Jack perhaps De
LA will be more of a piece than Mis-
tress Killigrew.'" She dropped me
mock courtesy. "And now, Jack, be
good boy, and hitch me this quilt acros
the hut 1 bought it yesterday at
cottage below here"
She ended the sentence with the pret
best blush imaginable: and SO, havin
fixed her screen, we shook hands on GU
eomradeship and wished each other goo
night
CHAPTER TX.
Almost before daylight we were afoot
and the first ray Of colo sunshine foun
as stepping from the woods into tn
plain. where now the snow was vanish
and a glistening coat Of rime sprea
over all things
On the far side Of the valley we enter
ed a wood. thinking by this to shortel
our way Now, at first this wood seem
Cd Of no considerable size, but thickene'
and spread as we advanced. Twas only