For some moments after her death neither Hartly nor Mr. Thornton spoke, but finally the latter said:
"She has gone where she will know no more suffering or sorrow and it is perhaps better so. Is your home near by?"
"I live in a sort of hut back in the woods, and if you will lend a hand we will take her there."
The speculator assented, and Hartly procured a wide board, and laid the limp form upon it. Then raising the primitive litter between them, they left the bluff and took to the lonely country road, which they followed until they came to a rude shanty, standing in the edge of the woods. They bore their burden into the only room and deposited it upon a couple of stools.
Hartly then turned to Mr. Thornton.
"You are a stranger to us, sir," he said, "but would you kindly remain here until I can go to a neighboring town and make arrangements for her burial?"
"Certainly, my boy."
"Then I will go and send the undertakers at once to take charge of the remains. If I do not return with the undertakers, let them remove the body, and I will see you later, perhaps."
He then kissed the lips and forehead of the dead girl, and took his departure.
Once outside, his whole demeanor underwent a change.