The Torch and Other Tales

ive or not. And if he was, it looked harder than ever to understand why for he'd left her. There weren't but one explanation as she c

God in the train all the way from [242] Tavistock to Okehampton that Nicky might yet be saved alive and be brought back to his right mind. Because Jenny knew folk went mad and then recovered. So she was pretty cheerful again afore she al

gan to feel it was a pretty big task to find her husband among that dollop of navvies and quarrymen, if she didn't run right on top of him! He was the first man of the lot she saw, and the shock took her in the brea

nd to Jenny's mind there was a touch of stark madness in 'em without doubt. He was strong and agile seemingly, and he began to gibber and cuss and chatter like an ape the moment he catched sight of her. He dropped the barrow and stared, and his jaw dropped and then closed u

o told you I was here? I'll tear his heart out when

d! They told me true,"

I know all about you and your goings on, and I ordain to strike at my appointed time and no sooner. And them as told y

three inches taller than him and so strong as a pony; and she

way ticket and a horse and trap to be turned down without hearing my voice. Listen you shall-it's life and death

up a great stone to do it with. In fact you'd have said he weren't at all the sort of man for a woman to fret at losing. But woman's taste in

ngle you! How have you got the front to dare to breathe

rything in order if you please. First read that. Somebody here-I don't know from Adam

letter and

what I meant to do; and one of 'em has gone back on me and given my hiding-place a

o know why you are in a hiding-place and what you're hiding from. And if I

u foul slut; but I know, and that's what I'm waiting for. So soon as the man have took you, then I was coming back to turn you out of my house-my house, you understand! I was only waiting for that, and when Chuff th

ing things! And where did you larn thes

faithful friend left at Postbridge, and thanks to

iller Ley's oldest daughter? They be going to wed at Easter, and 'twas A

; and he's straight; and he's took good care to keep me in touch with the facts ever since I came here-so now then! You was after Chuff

afraid, my poor little man, your revenge have come back on

f. Every three months since I went away he's been

your plot then, and that

sorry he felt to bring me the fatal news of what you was up to, though well I knew you would be.

g me to marry him ever since the people all thought you'd falled in the river and was drownded, Nicky? Not Mr. Chuff, b

! He hates women

pretending to hunt for your bones. God's my judge,

and felt all his idiotic vengeance slipping away from him.

you can sloke me off with this stuff? Westaway's m

for worse I took you, and I'd meant, if I found you cracked, to put you away nice and comfortable in a proper asylum, where they'd look after you, a

nd crept a foot

rshipped me. And God wouldn't stand for such wickedness on our part, [246] so He threw dust in your eyes and led you out into the wilderness-to home with a lot of

d his eyes bulged on her. He crept a bit nearer and she hel

ooth I reckon. How do I know this is truth? Why should I believe you afore Bill? He's sworn on his oath that Chuff spends half his time

d all yet. It may interest you to know that at last I've promised t

ome here to t

round for his

rgive you, which be a lot more than you

ive you I reckon; an

in the memory of our beautiful life together," she says. "That's all you've got to forgive, Nicky. And it didn't ought to be partickler ha

ng to marry the man-or thin

e right alongs

m I'd take him if he found all that was left of you in the river! And so I will." [247] "Bu

eason why Billy Westaway shouldn't find you there. He's quite clever enough for that. He's a cunning, deep rogue, and I'll lay my life he'll find

come back?" he asked, his

tell me you were running after the girls behind my back! But did I believe him? No! I boxed

it all in

r was heard about!" he swore. "Strike me blind if I don

best forget your kit and come home this minute. You've gr

ver thought to take off my clothes, nor yet wash again. I've been like a savage animal with such troubles as I've suffered; but no

d the little creature put his spider arms

his hairy muzzle and patted his head and thanked the Lord for all His blessings. As

idn't fret too much about that. They went afore the master of the works presently, and being a human sort of chap, he took a sporting view of the situation and let Spider go along with his wife; which he

assured him; "but Providence knew bet

ll turn over a new leaf and even go to chapel I sh