The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-09-06

him, II thought l would come here first
and see his grave-his grave-the place
where they laid him; and l thought l
would read what they wrote over him
how he died. you know-just out Of curl
osity. and for something to remember"
Laid whomY'
II should like to think that had seen
actually seen-his grave" he went on.
But the night has turned dark. and |
| cant read the names. and haven't got a
match upon me- Will you tell me where
they've laid him."
Laid whom. man? Who are you loox-
ing forT'
~ am looking for the headstone Of
Daniel Leighan. Old Dan, they used to
call him. Who died six years ago, or
thereab bouts
"You mean Mr.. Leghan of Gratnor"
'The same. the sanle' suppose Mary
Nethcrcote 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 deadY"
II saw it," he replied. hesitating-"I
saw it in the papers. There was some
talk about it at the time. believe. A
Al coroner's inquest was told; but
| never heard the verdict. Perhaps you
remember the verdict. viii Nethercote,
and would kindly tell me? I am-yes--
l 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,
il you call that dead; but If you have
business with him you will find that he is
very much alive"
Not deadl" The man reeed and
caught at the pillars of the porch. mot
dead! DO you know what you are say
ingy'
mo more dead than you"
ooh" he groaned; this is trick you
are playing. What do you play tricks
for? He is dead and buried long since"
II think you must be mad. whoever
you are. ! 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."
.NOt utdu NOT ueau. by the ire
quent flashes Of the lightning | had now
made ont that he was 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" l asked. "by
your rubbish about an inquest and. a
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 Danf?"
II suppose 1t il the same Old Dan
There never has been any other Old
Dan that ! know of"
ut can't be the same. 1t must be
tho evil one"
THAT is possible, and now you men
ton it. think he may be, and very like
ly is. But | wouldn't say 50 openly if |
were you"
mot dead"'
He turned and walked slowly away.
I 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 cxtingushed: and the sing
crs came ont. We two men walked home
with Mary. told them on the way my
little adventure with the strange man