Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-05-18
CHAPTER xxxW.-continued.

1lldu COulu Scc Iucll ldCCo, anu hO pO-
came suddely coherent, smiling at
them in the old way.
"Why have you come so far in the
night?" he asked Prudence, taking
one of her cool hands between his own
that burned.
But you poor little father! Why
have you come when you should be
home in bed? You are burning with
fever"
Yes, yes, dear, but it's over now
This is the end. I came hereto be
here came to say my last prayer
in the body. And they will come
to find me here. You must go before
they come"
who will find your"
"They from the church. I didn't
mean to do it, but when | was on my
feet something forced it out of me-
l knew what they would do, but
was ready to die, and l hoped 1 could
awaken some of them"
But no one. shall hurt YOU"
Don't tempt me to stay any
longer, dear, even if they would let
ne. Oh, you don't know, you don't
know-and that devils drumming over
there to madden me as on that other
night. But it's just-my God, how
just"
Come away, then. Ruel will find
your horse, and we'll ride home"
IT'S too late-don't ask me to leave
my hell now. 1t would only follow
me. 1t was this way that night-the
night before-the beating got into my
blood and hammered on my brain
till l didn't know. Prudence, l must
tell you-everything-"
He glanced at Follett appealingly,
as he had looked at the others when
he left the platform that day, be-
seeching some expressions Of friend
Giness.
Yes, must tell you-everything."
But his face lighted as Follett inter
rupted him.
You tell her" said Follett, dog
gedly, how you saved her that day
and kept her like your own and
brought her up to be a good woman
that's what you tell her" The graf
itude in the little mans eyes had
grown with each word.
Yes, yes, dear, I have loved you
like my own little child, but your
father and mother were killed here
that day-and l found you and loved
you-such a dear, forlorn little girl
will you hate me now?" he broke off
anXiously. She had both his hands
in her own.
But why, how could I hate you?
You are my dear little sorry father
all I've known. l shall always love
you"
That will be good to take with me-"
me said, smiling again. IT'S all I've
got to take-it's all I've had since the
day | found you. You are good" he
said, turning to Follett.
oh, shucks!" answered Follett.
A smile of rare contentment played
over the little mans face.
In the silence that followed, the
funeral drum came booming in upon
them over the ridge, and once they
standing on top of the hill to look
down at their fire. Then the little
man spoke again.
You will go with him." he said to
Prudence. He will take you out Of
here and back to your mothers peo-
pie
Shes going to marry me-" said
Follett. The little man smiled at
this.
1T is right-the Gentle has come to
take you away. The Lord is cum
ming in His vengeance. felt it must
be so when l saw you together"
After this he was so quiet for
time that they thought he was sleep
ing. But presently he grew restless
again. and said to Follett:
IL want you to have me buried here.
Up there to the north, 800 yards from
here on the right, is a dwarf cedar
standing alone. Straight over the
ridge from that and halfway down
the other side is another cedar grow
ing at the foot of ledge. Below that
ledge is a grave. There are stones
piled fiat, and cross cut In the one
toward the cedar. Make a grave be-
side that one, and put me in it-just
as l am. Remember that-uncoffined
1t must be that way, remember.
There's a little book here in this
pocket Let it stay with me-but
surely uncofined, remember, as-as
the rest of them were"
But, father, why talk so? You are
going home with us
There, dear, it's all right, and
you'll feel kind about me always when
you remember me-"
"Don't--don't talk So"
eff that beating would only stay out
of my brain-the thing is crawling be-
hind me again! oh, no, not yet-not
yet! Say this with me, dear:
1.-The Lord is my Shepherd; 1 shall