Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-01-11
CHATTER XXIII.


The day spring came at last, and in
the sick light of it l went down to the
cottage for spade and pickax. Della
seeing me return with the sad tools on
my shoulder. spoke for the first time:
First. if there will be a well nea:
fetch me two buckets of water and leave
us for an hour"
Her voice was weary and chill. Fat a
dozen PAGES from the spot where Joan's
father lay, l dug a grave and strewed it
with bracken and heather and gorse pet
ais.
/ lifted her softly and bore her down
the slope to the rave; and there | buried
here while Della knelt and prayed, and
Molly browsed. lifting now and then her
bead to look.
When all was done. we turned away,
dry-eyed and walked together to the cot
tage. The bay horse was feeding on the
moor below; and finding him still too
lame to carry Della, l shifted the sad
dies, and mending the broken rein, set
her on Molly
Della, have you nothing to say?''
For a while she seemed to consider;
then. with her eyes fixed on the hills
ahead. answered:
Much, if 1 could speak; but all this
has changed me somehow-'tis. perhaps,
that have grown woman. having been
a girl--and need 10 get used to it, and
think"
But, dear Della, when your anger has
cooled"
My anger was brief; am disappoint-
ed, rather. Joan loved You better than
l, and read you clearer. You are weak,
Jack"-she drew in Molly, and let her
hand fall ON my shoulder very kindly
I'VE have been comrades for many long
mile, and hope are honest, good friends;
wherefore | loathe to say harsh or I'M
notwithstanding word But YOU could
not understand that brave girl. and you
cannot understand me: for as yet You do
not even know yourself. The knowledge
comes slowly to a man. | think; to a
woman at one rush. But when it comes,
| believe you may he strong. Now leave
me TO think. for my mead is full of a
tangle."
Our pace was so slow (by reason OF
the lame horseD that great part of the
afternoon was spent before we came in
sight of the House of Gleys. And truly
the yellow sunshine had flung some
warmth about the naked walls and tur-
refs. so that Delia's homecoming seemed
not altogether cheerless. But what gave
us more happiness was tn spy, on the
blue water beyond, the bright canvas OF
the Godsend, and to hear the cries and
stir of Billy Pottery's mariners as they
haG!ca down the sails.
And Billy himself was on the lookout
with his spyglass. For hardly were we
come to the beach when our SigHal-the
waving of white kerchief-was an
swer'd by another on board; and within
half an hour a boat puts off wherein, as
she drew nearer, counted eight fellows.
After many warm greetings the boat
was made fast and we climbed mp along
the peninsula together in close order,
like little army.
All this time there was no sign or
sound about the House of Gleys to show
that anyone mark'd US or noted our
movements The gate was closed. the
windows stood shutterd. as on my for
mer visit; even the chimneys were
smokeless. Such effect had this desola-
ton on our spirits. that, drawing near
we fell to speaking in whispers, and said
Ned Masters:
Now man would think us come 10
bury somebody
He might make worse guess. an
swerd.
Marching up to the gate. ] rang a loud
peal on the bell: ana to my astoniSilnent,
before the ecoes had time TO die away,
the grating was push back, and the key
turn'd in the lock.
Step sc in--step We in, good folks!
sorry day-a day of s0bs an tears an
afflicted blowings Of the nose-when the
grasshopper is burden an the mourn
erS 90 about seeking whom they may de-
your the funeral meats. Y are welcome,
gentlemen"
Twas the voice OF my one-eyed friend.
as he undid the bolts; and now he stood
in the gateway with prodigions blaek
sash across his canary livery. 50 long that
the ends of it swept the hagstones.
us Master Tn9geomb within:'
helped Della to dismount. and gave our
two horses TO a stable hoy that stood
shnfiiy4g some PAGES of.
Alas the old RIA heaved a deep
sigh. and with that began 10 holihie
across the yari We tro0p'd after, Won
dering. At the house door he turn'ds