Part 47 (2/2)

”All right, Bill,” said Ike, taking the reins.

”All right, Ike,” replied Bill. ”Their skin don't say much, but they can talk with their feet a few. Let 'em go. They won't run away.”

The performance of Bill's bony, s.h.a.ggy team more than justified their owner's promise. They did ”talk with their feet,” and to such good purpose that in less than two hours Shock stood at the door of his Convener's house, his mind bewildered, his senses numbed from the terrible strain through which he had pa.s.sed.

”Come in, my dear fellow,” said the Convener, who had evidently been expecting him, ”come right in.”

But Shock stood at the door. ”Is there any word?” he enquired, with a voice void of all emotion.

”Nothing further.”

”When does the train go?”

”The train? Oh, at two in the morning.”

”How long does it take?”

”Five days.”

”Five days!” echoed Shock, in a voice of despair.

”You might wire a message in the meantime,” said the Convener kindly.

”We will go down to the telegraph office after you have had a rest and a cup of tea.”

”No, no,” said Shock, turning eagerly from the door. ”I am all right; cannot we go now?”

At the telegraph office a number of men stood laughing and talking.

Shock drew a blank sheet toward him and set himself to compose his wire. Again and again he made the attempt, but at length he put down the pen and looked around piteously at his friend. ”I cannot say it!”

he exclaimed in a hurried whisper.

”Come outside a minute,” said the Convener, taking his arm. ”Now tell me what you want to say and perhaps I can help you.”

”Oh!” cried Shock, wreathing his great fingers an his agony. ”I want to say goodbye--No, no, not that! I want to tell her--give her my love and say I want to see her. She will be wanting me.” His breath began to come in great heaving sobs.

”Let me try,” said his friend. ”You stay out here.”

After some moments the Convener returned and handed Shock a paper on which he had written: ”G.o.d keep you, mother dear. My heart's love to you. Shall I come?”

”Will that do?” he asked.

”Yes, yes; thank you. That is good.”

”Now,” said the Convener, when they had reached the house, ”you must rest.”

”I am not tired,” said Shock, as if in surprise.

”My dear fellow, you are half dead.”

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