Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-05-16
CHAPTER XXI.

WOE helped "a carry what wa.
mortal of Eskew from Ariels
house to Its final abiding place.
~ With him in that task were
buckalew, Bradbury, the colonel and
the grandsons Of the two latter. and
Mrs. Louden drew in her skirts grimly
as her stepson passed her in the mourn
full procession through the hall. Her
eyes were red with weeping mot for
Eskew) but not so red as those Of |
Mamie Pike. who stood beside her.
On the way to the cemetery Joe and
Ariel were together in a carriage with
Buckalew and the minister who had
read the service, dark. pleasant eyed
young man, and the squire after being
almost overcome during the cerenOu.,
experienced natural reaction. talking
chcerfuliy throughout the long drive. |
He recouutel L-auy anecdotes Of ES
kew. chuChlng over most Of them |
though filled with wonder ly conci-
dcnce which ne and FlitCrott had dis
covered-the colonel had recently been
made the custodian Of his old friend
will, and It had been opened the day
before the funeral Eskcw had left
everything he possessed, with the re-
greet that it was SO little. 10 Joe.
But the queer thing about it, said
the squire, addressing himself to ARIEL. |
was the date of il. the 18th OF June. !
The colonel and got TO talkin' It over
out on his porch last night, tryin' -
rec'lect what was goin' on about then,
and we fggered 1t out that it was the
Monday after you come back, the very
day he got so upset when he saw you
goin' up to Loudens law office with
your roses"
Joe looked quickly at Ariel. She did
not meet his glance, but turning in
stead 10 Ladew, the clergyman began
with barely perceptible blush 10
talk OF something he had said in ser
mon two weeks ago The two fell into
q thoughtfu and amiable discussion
during which there stole into Joe's
heart strange and unreasonable palA
The young minister had lived IN
Canaan only a few months, and Joe
had never seen him until that morn
ing. but he liked the short honest talk
he had made, liked bis cadence.ess
voice and keen. dark face and, recall
| inS what he had heard Martin PHO
vociferutiug in his brougham one sun
| day, perceived tha; Ladew was the
fellow who had got to go because his
sermons did not please the Judge. Yet
| Ariel remembered for more than
fortnight a passage from one of these
| sermons. And as Joe looked at the
manly and intelligent face opposite
| him Il did not seem strange that she
| should
He resolutely turned his eyes 10 the
open window and saw that they had
entered the cemetery, were near the
| green knoll where Eskew was 70 lie
beside brother who had died long
ago. He let the minister help Ariel
out, going quickly forward himself
with Buckalew. and then, after the lit
tie while that the restoration OF dust
TO dust mercifully needs. he returned
to the carriage only to get his hat
Ariel and Ladew and the squire were
already seated and waiting. Aren't
Won Going to ride home with u.s." she
asked surprised.
| NO. he eApialneu' Ho' Iu'h'hs az
her. 81 have to talk with Norbert
FlitcroIt I'm going back with him.
Goodby,'
His excuse was the mere truth, his
conversation with Norbert In the car
rage which they managed TO secure to
themselves continuing earnestly until
Joe spoke TO the driver and alighted at
Afs- To p1,n ni,
possessions. Don't forget he said as
he closed the carriage door, i've got
TO have both ends of the string in my
hands"
Forget" Norbert looked at the GU
pola of the Pike mansion rising above
the NAPLES down the street, 1T isn't
likely I'll forget"'
When Joe entered the Louis Quinze