The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-05-04

sll, haughtliy, must be said to you
alone. | beg you will conc inside."-
The thick brows of Cuyler knit over his
flashing eyes. He looked down at the
other from his superior height, anger
and amaze struggling in his face.
"Sir, there is nothing connected with
my mills that l am not willing to dis
cuss openly and before ALL" Colonel
Basil took one step toward him. He
leaned forward till his ashen lips almost
touched the others cheek. From them
fell single whispered word. Only q
word, but Dirck Cuyler recoiled as il
from blow. His own lips moved, but
he answered nothing. With mute
gesture, he turned on his heel and fol
lowed Colonel Basil into the tavern.
For time all was still along the piaz-
"a. The group of men there sat listen
ing to the voices breaking out at inter
Ivals from the keeping-room beyond the
tbar-ferce, high voices, dying gradual
lly ont to a mere murmur. Hammel
knocked the ashes from his pipe.
There's bad blood betwixt them two.
I'm sorry for young Cuyler,'' he said.
They waited. An hour or more pass.
ed. Colonel Basil's roam horse, held by
a groom near by, stood paving the earth
impatiently. A few of the ,ongers drop
ped away homeward. The remainder
still smoked and droned, but tue keep.
ing-room beyond the bar had grown ST.
lent as death. Suddenly Hammel arose
"You don't s'pose they've jawed them
selves to sleep in there, do your he as
ked, in startled way. "TIl give 'em
a tap on the door, / guess"
The words were not fairly off his ton
que, when the door in question dung
suddenly open. Colonel Basil and his
companion stepped forth.
Basil was in advance, His face was
haggard anu worn. The chin had fallen
on his breast The eyes were cast down.
He walked slowly, almost feebly, through
the bar-room out upon the piazza. He
beckoned for his horse
Cuyler followed him. His face was
pale and agitated. 1t wore the mark OF
some hard struggle The morose, close
knitted brow told its own story.
"Going now?" said Hammel, careless
ly.
"Yes." was The curt answer.
Hammel leaned hack in the doorway
ard watched the two go off together. A
few yards beyond the tavern door all
was utter darkness. As they crossed
this lighted space, heS could see that
Colonel Basil sat erect in his saddle, with
only his head slightly inclined toward
Dirck Cuyler, who walked nt his bridle-
rein. For moment only he saw them ;
then the dull sound of hoofs retreated
further into the darkness. The smoon-
less midnight swallowed them up to-
gether 4 aJsf, q
SIT looks kinder queer to see them two
going off in that way" muttered Ham
mel; then speedily forgot all about it.
Presently the lights went out in the
bar-room. The last man rose up from
the piazza and shook himself, with drow-
sy goodnight.
"Bette1 cut across the lots," said
Hammel; sits nearer"
"No," answered che man; 81 amt
nowise sure of my footing at this time
of night. I'm going round by the
bridge
He went. Joe Hammel dlew both
bolt and bar behind him, and fed to bed
Half an hour after, he was aroused by
a tremendous knocking at the door Of
the tavern
who's there?' growled Hammel
sleepily, from the window above.
The voice that answered was stifed
and strange with terror. Hammel bare
ly recognized it as that Of the man who
ha9, been last to leave the tavern that
night. r
"For Gods sake, get up, Joer il
cried .5,
"What's the matterg p said Hammel.
! 'Colonel Basil lays out here on the
old bridge, stone dead murdered
i Lord have mercy!'
'sStabbed straight through the heart y
A red robin sat singing in an apple
tree under Barbara's window-singins
Justify and loud, because it was Barbara's
wedding-morn.
Barbara crept from her little white
bed with big, sleepless eyes. She leaned
over.the sill, listening. She was little
pale still, Perhaps the terror of the
past night still haunted her Her rict
Ehair curled down her bare, white shoul
Iders Her black eyes wore an odd, pre-
occupied look AS for the morning, il
vas glorious. The east had just begun
to glow Below, the palpitating music
of the robin filled the bush-green gar
den.
| Suddenly the gate changed. Martha
Swan came up the walk. On her head
she wore sun-bonnet Of pink gingham
on her scanty skirts the early dew of the
country roads.
She came up the walk-then up the
stair. She opened the door of Barbara S
chamber without knocking, and came in
Miss Barbara" she began, harshly,
tearing the sun bonnet off, and showing
beneath it a wild, ashen faces "you've o
blithe wedding-day Happy is the
blide that the sun shines on"
"It is a bright day-a beautiful day ,
faltered Babara, with quick flush. Ther
she turned-"Martha Swan, where have
you been walking SO early?"
'Tve been down to Hammels tavern, y
answered Martha, speaking with more
than wonted sharpness. Moved by 6
sudden impulse, Barbara's arms were
flung suddenly round the Old woman's
neck.
"Oh, you dear. cross Martha You look
like Il ghost. Go into the south cham,
Der and see how white my dress is now
by the morning light. Martha, Martha,
this is my wedding-day! All those
miserable fancies of mine are gone. Oh.
how happy, how happy | am
With cry, Martha Swan pushed the
young girl away. Her face put on q
Hook that was dreadful. h. -ss.sf
Il tell you have been down to Ham
mers tavern" she cried; there's a deal
of people there Barbara, have you said