The three men
mounted their horses and rode away, but Philip's mare was, as usual,
shying at every tree. As he came near one which had a large branch,
growing horizontally from the trunk, his mare spring aside, carried
him under the limb, which struck his head, and threw him to the
ground. He never spoke again.
After the funeral, McCarthy rode over to the Rocky Waterholes to make
some enquiries. He called at Mrs. Martin's residence, and he said:
"Mr. Philip told us he was married the day before the accident, but
it seemed so strange, we could not believe it; so I thought I would
just ride over and enquire about it, for, of course, if he had a
wife, she will be entitled to whatever little property he left behind
him."
"Yes, it's quite true," said Mrs. Martin. "They were married sure
enough. He called here at Christmas, and said he would like to see
Miss Edgeworth; but she was away on a visit to some friends. I asked
him if he had any message to leave for her, but he said, 'Oh, no;
only I thought I should like to see how she is getting along. That's
all, thank you. I might call again at Easter.' So he went away. On
last Easter Monday he came again. Of course I had told Miss
Edgeworth, about his calling at Christmas and enquiring about her,
and it made me rather suspicious when he came again. As you may
suppose, I could not help taking notice; but for two days, nor, in
fact, for the whole week, was there the slightest sign of anything
like lovemaking between them.
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