The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-10-06

found her under the brown smart
carved with the name CT Hazen. The
test was one he had not sought and
did not welcome. Yet he felt bound.
now that he recognized it as such, to
see it through and accept it's teach.
Ing for what 1t surely would be worth.
Only he began to move with more pre-
caution and studied more to hide his
approach than to give, any warning
of it.
The close ranks of the elderberry
bushes lining the fences on the final
hilltop lent themselves to the con.
cealment he now sought. AS soon al
he was sure of her having left the
road he drew up close 10 these bushes
and walked under them till he was al.
most at the gate. Then he allowed
himself to peer through their close
branches and received an unexpected
shock at seeing her figure standing
very near him, posed in an uncertainty
which. for some reason, he had not
expected, but which restored him to
himself, though why he had not the
courage, the time, nor the inclination
to ask.
She was babbling In low tone to
herself, an open sesame to her mind.
which Ransom hailed with a sense Of
awe. II only he might distinguish the
words! But this was difficult not only
was her head turned partly away, but
she spoke IN murmur which was far
from distinct. Yet-yes, that one sen.
tence was plain enough. She had NUT
tered musingly. anxiously, and with
a searching look among the graves:
1T was on this side l know it was
on this side."
Watching her closely lest some
chance glance Of hers should stray his
way, he listened still more intently
and was presently rewarded by catch.
Ing another sentence.
"A single grave all by itself. I fell
over 1t and my mother scolded me.
saying 1t was my fathers. There was
q bush near 1t. A bush with white
flowers on it. I tried to pick some"
Ransom's heart was growing lighter
and lighter. She did not even know
that there had been placed over TINT
grave monument with her name on
1t and that Of the mother who had
scolded her for tripping over her faith.
er's sod. Only Anitra could be 80 ig.
norant or expect to find grave by
means OF q bush blooming with flow.
ers fifteen years ago. AS. she went
wandering on. peering to right and
left. he thought Of Hazen and his
doubts. and wished that he were here
beside him to mark her perplexity.
When quite satisfied that she would
never find what she sought without
help. Ransom stepped from his hiding.
Place and Joined her among the grassy
hillocks. The start Of pleasure she
gave and her almost childish look Of
relief warmed his heart, and it was
with a smile he waited for her to
speak.
My father's gravel" she explained,
Il was looking for Ey fathers grave
! remember my mother taking me to
1t when 1 was little. There was a
bush cloae by Itch! l see what Won
link. The bIsa WCuid be big now,
forgot tnat. I'D something else!
You are th--.~.-g (. so.netn.g else
On, ! know, --now. 1-ei woliun't be
lying alone, ~ Lore. : My mother
must have &C.. c. s.s.er would have
taken re to &c. T.e-e ought 10 be
two graves."
He nodded, and taking her by the
hand led her to the family monument
She gazed at it for moment, amazed
then laid her finger on one of the in.
scriptiOns.