The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-06-16

"Not at first. it were too far away,
but l says to myser, Its nae a ghost,
or a fairy. 'Tis some puir daftie got
away from its keeper III wait till it
gets nearer, then try and stop it. "
Gould you hear what she was sing
ing"
Nae. But presently heard another
voice-a voice shoutin', and | knew it
were someone after her. was mind
ed to shout back, but was afraid OF
scarin the poor daft thing, so stood
watchin till suddenly she COON out
into u patch of moonlight and | saw
her face. It, was Mary Page"
A little gust of whispering comment
rippled through the room. and the
Judge, leaning forward, broke in
sharply:
How far distant was this figure
when you first thought you recognized
it as Mary Page"
81 dinna ken. exactly" said the
woodsman thoughtfully, twas no
more than maybe twice the width of
the space of yon door," nodding to-
wards the entrance into court but to
get to her would have had 10 skirt
the lip Of the hollow, so | stood still |
Watchin'.'
will you tell us how Miss Page
looked?"
Her dress or her petticoats was all
torn and muddy. her hair was hangin'
down onto her shoulders. and her face
and arms were scratched and bloody
and there was something that looked
like great sore on her forehead. She
moved like a blind person. stumblin'
over stumps and bumpin' into the
trees, and yet she KEEP on that strange
croonin' song-laughin', too. at times"
Gould you hear any other sound?"
AYE. / heard voice calm. Mary!
Maryr And l could hear the smashin'
Of the underbrush as somebody came
runnin', but she didna look around"
did she pass you?'
mo: she skirted the hollow round
the other side. but l could see her.
wouldna let her out of my sight, till
she were safe. but didna want to lay
hands on a daftie mysel'. Then sud
denly / saw a man come runnin
through the woods. and when be saw
her, he gave great cry and shouted.
Thank God" Then he called again.
Mary. Mary-wait for me-wait for
me. dearr The echo in the hollow
caught it up so that the whole woods
were full of the cry. and at that she
turned. and stood swayin'-like a
young sapling cut at the root. Then
she gave cry. and fell all crumDled
in little heap"
did you go forward then"
~ started. but before could get
around to them. the man had pickit
the lassie up and carried her down by
by the brook in the hollow
Gould you still see them:"
AVE. like in a theatre, for the moon
shone down there. while stood 'bove
them in the trees. The man. y oiwas
Mr.. Iangdon. here. KEEP wei ~ his
handkerchief and bathin' her poor face
till she opened her eyes and said. Phil
ip. Philip And at that. he helu her
close and sobbed like child. and said.
Mary. Mary. are you all right now,
dear? And she said. Pm tired-where
have | been? And he said, Never
mind, dear. you can rest now-you
are safe in my arms. Then sudden
ly she gives a scream and cries. Don't
let father touch ont let him
touch me! Oh. Philip. l can feel it
on my shoulder-it burns-it burns"
And he kissed her and said. There is
nothin' on your shoulder except my
kisses, Mary. Put the fear out Of
your head; nothin' can harm you while
have you safe And she says. Not
even James? And he says, Not even
James. d himr Then she gives
little sigh like bairn that is tired. and