The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-06-12

idee OF layin' down fer his las sleep |
beside that hell hole he'd dug fer Kate |
no, siri
"Wal. ye know, mister, I jes' shook |
my head an never let on that I knew |
what he meant an let him wiggle an
twist like worm on hot griddle, an |
beller like Gu bull til he fell back in
q swoon.
Damn hint II don't give him no
rest. He tries to tell everybody he
sees-that's what they say. He bel
lers day an night an II you 60 down
there he'll beller to You an youll know
what it's about, but the others don't.
"You an me are the only ones that
knows the secret, guess. Some day.
fore he dies. I'm goin' to take up that
headstun an hide 1t, but he'll never
know It's done-no, sir-not til he
gifts to the judgment seat, anyway"
The old man rose and Strengthened
himself and blew out his breath and
brushed his hands upon his trousers
by way Of stepping down into this
world again out Of the close and dusty
loft of his memory. But called him
back.
"what has become Of Enochr I
asked.
"wai. sir. Enoch started of West
bout three year ago an we amt heard
word from him since that day-nary
word. mister. suppose we will some
time. He grew into a good man. but
there was kind Of queer streak In
the blood. as ye might say. on both
sides kind o.. We've wrote letters out
to Wisconsin, where he was pintin'
for. an to places on the way. but we
can't git no news bout him. Mebbe
he was killed by the Injuns."
We walked out Of the graveyard to-
gether In silence.
could see glimmer Of a light In
the thicket Of pines down the valley. I
unhitched and mounted my horse.
"Take the first turn to the right"
said the old man a he picked up his
scythe.
I'm very much obliged to you." I
said.
mo ye amt, nuther," he answered.
"Leastways there aln't no reason why
ye should be-"
Ny horse. impatient as ever to find
the end Of the road. hurried me along
and in moment or two we were down
under the pine grove that surrounded
the house Of old Squire Fullerton-a
big, stone house with q graveled road
around It. A great black dog came
barking and growing at me from the
front porch. rode around the house
and he followed. Beyond the windows
could see the CLEAN Of candlelight
and moving figures. A man came out
Of the back door as neared II.
"Who's thereT he demanded.
my name is Barton Bayues from
st. Lawrence county. Kate Fullerton
Is my friend and wish to see her"
"Come up to the steps, sor. Don't
git of yer horse-'til I've chained the
dog. Kate1l be out In a minute"
He chained the dog to the hitching
post and as he did 80 a loud, long,
wailing cry broke the silence Of the
house. 1t put me In mind Of the COM
plaiat Of the damned which I remem-
bored hearing the minister describe
years before ct the little schoolhouse
In Lickitysplit How 1t narrowed me I
The man went into the house. Soon
he came out Of the door with lighted
candle In his hand, q woman following.
How vividly remember the little MUIR
muir Of delight that came from her lips
when he held the candle SO that Its
light fell upon my facet jumped OF
my horse and give the reins to the
man and put my arms around the poor
woman, whom I loved for her sorrows
and for my debt to her. and rained
kisses upon her withered cheek. Oh
God what q moment It was for both
Of usi
The way she held me to her breast
and patted my shoulder and said '.my
boy Fin q low. faint, treble voice 30
like that Of child-it Is one Of the
best memories that take with me into
the new life now 90 near, from which
there II no returning.
She led me into the house, She
looked very neat now-in q blach
gown over which was q spotless white
apron and collar Of lace-and much
more slender than when had seen
her last. She took me into q large
room In the front Of the house with q
carpet and furniture. handsome once
but now worn and decrepit. Old time.
stained engravings Of scenes from the
Bible. framed In wood. hung on the
walls.
I told all that had heard from
home and Of my life In Coblesl1ill bu,
observed, presently. faraway look IN
her eyes and Judged that she was moi
hearing me. She whispered:
"Sallyr'
"She has been at school In Albany
! for q year." I said. "She IL at home
now and am going to gee her"
"You love Sallyf" she whispered.
; "Better than love my life.v