The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-09-18
STRANGE LADY IN BLACK
BY LAURA |. HINkLEY.

ing down the river road. All in black
from head to foot, her figure moved
against the red sunset sky, tall and
slender and very graceful, walking
elastically as if upborne by vigor and
youth. The boy noted curiously the
heavy black veil drawn across her
face. He was about to cross the in-
tersection of their ways when she lift
ed her hand and beckoned him.
Bashfully, shifting the pole on his
shoulder, the boy approached. He
and she were all the human life in
the landscape except the darkening
village roofs and chimneys beyond the
turn.
You know where all the people
live in town, don't you, dear?" she
asked, throwing back her veil.
Her voice was sweet and seductive;
her face beautiful beyond all the lads
experience.
"Yes, sir" he stammered, blushing.
"Yes, 'um."
DO you know where Mr. Hurst
lives?"
Judge Hurst?"
Are there two Hurstsf"
"Yes'm. Judge Hurst, he lives in
the big house; an young Mr.. Hurst
he's his son-he lives on Water street
since he got married. He amt been
married very long"
The boy stopped, astounded at
what he saw. The beautiful face
fronted him steadily, but the blood
went out of 1t, leaving it thinner and
older
Then with sort of ripple, the soul
came back.
II beg your pardon, dear! I am
listening now. Whom did Mr.. Hurst
-marry?"
Belle DAILY. They had an awful
fine weddin'. l guess Dalys was glad
Bella got him. She's awful pretty"
"Prettier than l ann"
''No'm," faltered the boy. Then,
breathlessly, he essayed his first COM
pliment. "They amt nobody-pret-
tern you!"
She laughed with flash of sweet
ness over her whole face, and dew of
tears in her eyes. Putting one soft
hand under the boys chin, she stopped
and kissed him on the mouth. There
by she sealed him hers, body and soul.
''Will you do something for me?"
Yes, ma'am!"
II want you to take letter to Mr..
Hurst for me. Wait while l write
it,
She sat down on stump Of tree,
and wrote with lead pencil on her
knee. 1t did not take long.
Can you give that to Mr.. Hurst
without letting anyone see, not even
his new wife? Do not tell anyone that
you have seen me. Bring back Mr.
Hurst's answer. / will wait for you
here"
AS he went lingeringly, the boy
wheeled on one bare, irresolute heel
to look at her. She was sitting mo-
tionless on the stump with one
clenched hand pressed hard against
her breast.
'I ain't cold" thought the boy, "but
I'm a-shiverin' all over! An now
amt shiverin', I'm hot! Wonder if
ketched somethin'! Gee! Amt she
queer-an' lovely!"
He saw young Mr.. Hurst, with his
youthful, burly figure, his curly head
and handsome, hard countenance,
down town, followed into quiet side
street. and timidly accosted him.
% you!" said young Mr.. Hurst.
What do you want?"
The boy silently proffered the let
ter.
Young Mr.. Hurst swore repeatedly
on reading 1t. He tore a leaf from
his note book and scribbled an an
swer
There! Take her that! And mind
you hold your tongue!"
1t was SO dark when the lady in
black rose to meet the boy, that she
could hardly see to read the note.
She embarrassed him with the gra-
ciousnes of her thanks.
81 'xpect I'll git licked fer stayin'
out SO late"
Are you going to tell?" she asked,
fixing him with her wonderful eyes.
mo, ma'am."
Not even II they whip you, or tor
ment you, or put you in jail? What
ever happens?"
mo, ma'am," he repeated, huskily.
II have no money to give you," she
said, considering
The boy threw back his head proud
ly above his aching throat.
81 don't want no money!"
She bent on him one of her sweet,
swimming looks.
"A child" she cried, softly; then
suddenly gathered him in her arms,
pressing his face in her bosom. The
instant before he raised his lips to
hers. the boy felt his cheek lie against
something hard and cold.
His uneasy, raptured slumbers we're
broken by humping at his fathers
door. He put his head out of the
window. There was a tumult of mems
excited voices.
Young Hurst-Found him on the
river road!-'Bout ten o'clock-Letter
in his pocket. queer, lead pencil
scrawl-some woman-Knife In him! I!