Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-07-06

"And if your mother should Gomez"
queried the young man.
Lydia gasped.
"What would you do?"
I'D be brave, / know should Hark
Il thought heard some one!"
She grew very pale as she spoke, and
her hands dropped into her lap.
"You are notional, Lydia; you are nerv-
ous-there is no one"
A firm hand on the latch on the front
door stopped him.
"MOther-O it's Mother!' whispered
Lydia. "What can do9 Size mustn't
see you tonight, certainly-wait! o
Walter, she's coming around the house
and the back door is unfastened Get
under the lounge-quick! won't forget
you'll"
So saying, Lydia ran noiselessly from
the room, as her sister had done before
her, and did not pause before she was in
her own little chamber, in amoment more
she was undressed and in bed-her eyes
closed and her hands folded, as though
she had been sleeping for hours.
Lydia's suspicious proved to be correct
the widow had returned, but alas for the
remnant of the comprehend alonel She
came cautiously tiptoeing in at the back
door, through the back hall to the sitting
room, followed by spare-faced, nervous
little man, who glanced suspiciously about
him.
81 wonder what that light was left
there for:" whispered the widow, anx-
iously, untying her bonnet. "Sit down
on the lounge and rest, Elder Lang. |
must sc if the girls are in their rooms"
The careful mother proceeded straight
way up stairs, leaving her visitor in the
dark. Her first visit was to Jeanette S
chamber The pleasant picture of herself
was, to all appearance, fast asleep. Her
breath was long-drawn, loud and heavy
rather too heavy, the widow thought, as
she hurried out of the room. Lydia was
re2osing quietly, as usual, her pale face
looking quite attractive among the snowy
pillows, and from out the lace of her pref
ty cap.
"All right here" whispered the wild
ow to herselr. II guess I'll take look at
jim"
With this she proceeded to the lower
chamber. But the boy was not there
His bed was empty. The widow shook
her head gravely.
Il shall punish him for this" she said
as she went back to Elder Lang again.
rs everything as it should be?" was
the query of that ilustrious parsonage, as
she entered the ROOM
"Yes, only Jim is away. don't know
what shall do with him. His only fault
is running Off when am gone"
Il thought heard some one around
the house while you were up stairs" said
the elder, giving quick glance towards
the window, and moving nervously along
} on the lounge.
30, you are mistaken, am sure you
are," was the emphatic answer. There
isn't any one up or about the house."
Elder Lang was silenced but not con-
vinced. He motioned her to a seat beside
} him, saying as he did so, in way quite
worthy of younger lover II feel quite
! safe when you are with me!'
The widow could not express her feel
ings at that happy juncture. She folded
her hands and looked straight at the OPP
posi.e wall. Unlucky direo ton for her
eyes to take. Deacon JOBS portrait
hung there in all its glory. She turned
her face away. She COLD not bear that
straightforward purianical expression
then.
Il have always said, you know, dear
Elder" began Mrs. Higgins after pause,
that if it wasn't perfectly right for me
to marry again, if it would be revealed to
me in some strange mysterious way /
believe it now as firmly as ever If there
is any reason why 1 should not give my
hand to you in the holy bonds of matri-
; mony, there will be sign given, if it is
not until the eleventh hour"
The Elder bowed, and looked about
him in frightened way Elder Lang was
very timid man. He, as well as the
widow, had great faith in the showing OF
signs in timely warning and ghostly
visitatiOns.
Whatever happens, it is all for the
best" said the widow resignedly looking
up into his face.
"Didn't you hear something :" whisper
ed the Elder grasping her hand.
.1-yes, really thought did," was the
hesitating answer. perhaps one of the
girls is getting up-coming down stairs,
, maybe"
They listened breathlessly. Not a
sound broke the silence.
I'VE are nervous"
"Hush! thought l heard some one
breathe" broke in the Elder.
In spite of her fright, widow Higgins
smiled. She glanced up at Deacon Jobs
potraitl How. ghostly and solemn it
looked! How stern and strange! She
gave little scream of terror, and covered
her eyes with her hands.
Look, lookl Look at Deacon Higgin' s
portrait! l saw it mover'
| Elder Lang did look, indeed. His eyes
were almost bursting from his head.
Its moving-it's moving! o good
Lord, aid and help us, that portrait is
moving!" he whispered, drawing bis feet
up on the lounge, and trying to hide his
head behind the widow. 1T acts just az
though it was going straight out Of the
Window
Mrs. Higgins peeped through her fing
ers. Back and forth, back and forth, back
and forth, like the steady swinging of the
old pendulum in the corner, the portrait
lmoyed