The Lincoln County herald., 1870-02-03
A LONG WATCH.
BY ADA GEORGE.

chatterng after the fashion Of young
ladies', and altogether making SO much
noise that Hugh Ellwood was forced to
take his book and retire from the circle to
the cool and quiet haunts Of the library.
He left the door open after him, how
ever, for there was one member Of that
lively circle in whom Hugh was more
than ordinarily interested, and though
the clattcr Of four girls was too much for
him, he liked to hear the slvery tones Of
her voice floating like sweet monotone
"Oh, Marian" said Fanny, "why must
you hurry off so soon ?"
"Oh didn't tell you," said Marian
Lacy "father and mother are going on
the night train to brother Johns must
be home to get an early tea"
"Thcn you can come back and stay all
night, cant you? That will be delight
ful. Do sag you will come, Marian"
"Oh, | can't Fanny. Father and
mother both expect me to stay at home
tonight"
"Who is going to stay with your
mo one. | am not afraid to stay
alone"
"Why, Marian! Arc you crazy
Hugh, come here. Do you believe Ma.
rian is going to stay all alone tonight p
"Weh, what. of it?' querred Hugh,
as he sauntered into the room again, hold
ing his book in one hand and caressing
his whiskers with the other.
"Why, never heard Of such a thing
Alone IN that big house all night! Why
if you don't see ghost, you'll see tur-
glars, for there were two houses broken
into night before last, and frankie Crane
says they tried to break into her house
last night"
"Well," said Hugh, laughing, "dark.
ness, like charity, covers multitude Of
sins, if the truth we're only known. But
the moon shines all night tonight, and l
don't think Miss Lacy need have any
fears if she fastens tho house up we'll
How is it, Miss Lacy-do you really in.
tend to stay alone to night ?"
II really intend it," said Marian,
meeting his searching glance with a firm
look in her blue eyes. "My father has
money and papers Of value in the house,
and if were to stay away and find in the
morning that the house had been robbed
should never forgive myself. I can
leave blind open and light burning all
night, and that will show there Is some
one in the house. If any of you girls
will stay with me ask nothing more. =
Goodness - chorused the whole four
"wouldn't stay there for the world.
should die of fright" while one suggested
Get constable"
| "Pooh |" said Marian, scornfully.
How mach do you suppose a constable
would ask to guard the house all night
don't expect the least disturbance, and
father will be back to morrow night al
the farthcst. III stay alone"
II admire your courage, Miss Marian.
don't believe myself, that any harm will
come to you," said Hugh, aud he took
up his hat ard walked out whistling.
The girls saw him pass the window o
moment afterward with cigar IN his
mouth, and Marian, after he was out OF
sight, tool her leave Of the girls, wht
mado the parting as solemn as if they
we're never to see her again.
And as she wends her way homeward
let me describe her.
She was tall, her figure perfect with
out the aid of art, her head we'll shapet
and covered with masses of reddish.browl
hair; her complexion so white and clcal
that you could see the blue veins beneatl
the skin, and her features we're attract
i've, though irregular.
But the greatest beauty Of Marian
face was her eyes-so deep, so blue, will
such q rapidity Of change in expression
now melting with tenderness, nov
flashing with indignation, now cold ant
glittering with scorn, and anon dilatinI
with lau. hter, for you could see mirth il
Marian's eyes even when her mouth wor
: its gravcst looks.
Watching her graceful carriage an,
her msrvelously beautiful face. you coul'
not help, regretting that she was to lea
all her life 10 the country town wher
she was born, aud that she, who by righ
Of her beauty and her courage and en-
ergy, was born to be one Of society
queens, should be content with the littl
world in which she moved. All, no,
many have touched and missed their ttu
sphere. and gone on through life withou
knowing it
Marian almost forgot the conversation
at Fanny Ellwood's until the hack ha'
carried off her father and mother, and sh
was left to put the house to rights
Then when everything was done and sh
sat down to rest, it all oame back to her
, 1t was so easy to be courageous in day
time-but the night had come on, sh
S caught herself looking over her shoulde
three or four times but it was hsrdl
nine o'clock, and the full moon made
almost "a light as day outdoors, so sh
took her lamp, and beginning at tn
kitchen, fastened all the doors and win
dows until she came to the hall. She &C
: her lamp on the table and was just abou
y to turn the kew in the hall door when sh