New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-07

the proper key with which to open them.
1t was an easy lock, as she mastered il
with little trouble. Her heart stood still as
she shut herself in tho porch alone. Then i;
began to thump as she put her foot on the
beltry stairs and as the smallest movemen,
of ner dress sounded like gust of stormy
wind. 1t was a separate and distinct act OF
courage to put one foot before the other
But she advanced with hardly falter, and
again came to the belfry door. She found
| it swinging open.
"Ah!' thong int she, ~ frightened them Sc
that they forgot to lock it,
She came to the ladder. She now felt the
cool night air, and she gave an extra turn
to the wrapper about her neck. and put her
keys in her pocket. Then she laid hold of
| the rounds, and began to ascend. Presently,
her frightened face emerged above the bel.
fry floor where it turned slowly to contem-
! plate the wonderful landscape spread for
miles around, lying white and tranquil in
the mysterious light. There was no sound,
| save now and then the distant bark of some
| farmers dog and the faint rush of the stream
| over the milldam.
After moment Majesty spUrred herself
to Chamber up farther. She could not help
a tit of trembling as she beheld the bell,
but she bravely walked straight TO the plank
| again. Again she assembled it. and again
she clutched the large and slender wheel.
Turning quickly from this, she placed her
foot for the second time upon the broad
crOssbeam beneath which hung the awful
monster which had nearly killed her, and
also for the second time she put her hand
upon the ceiling. Up to this point, her ac-
tons were but counterparts OF those she
had performed earlier in the day; bat her
next one was different.
She placed second hand upon the cell
ing, and, rising to the tips Of her toes, she
CROPPED with the other near the edge OF the
fracture in the plaster. Her arm vibrated
few inches either way, and fnaily stopped,
while at the same time a cry OF JOY burst
from the lips. She sank back upon her feet,
careless OF danger, saying to herself:
81 daren't take it down, for it may not
be the right one, after all. But wouldn't it
please her. 1t must be the right one. At
any rate We'll see"
She again thrust her hand into the hole,
and in IA moment she withdrew from its
hiding place a leather-covered book. an inch
thick, and fifteen by eighteen inches in
size. A glow of delight overspread her
face, and She tried to see the date upon the
back OF the binding. but the guiding had
faded, SO she carefully drew the tip of her
finger over the embossed figures.
Eighteen hundred and fifteen " said
she, with a laugh.
In moment she had scrambled down the
plank, holding her picture close, and CON
juring pictures of her friends delight. 1t
was not until she got to the porch again
that she stopped and asked herself:
How came the book IN the beltry cell
.ing!'
Majesty's faith in human nature received
a shock.
1T must have been the wicked clerk"
thought she. 80 Maple did not think it
OF you; and you were SO kind man
She slowly emerged from the church door
and locked it. Then, with both arms clasp
ing the musty book. and with her keys
hanging from her finger. she dashed OFT
down the tlags and over the stretch of turf.
Midway IN her flight a running figure,
Fastening in an opposite direction. and ex-
actly for the church door. sprang upon her
as if from the ground. 1t was Maple, the
town clerk. He was white as ghost.
Majesty. cried he, catching her by the
muller.
oh. It is YOU, Maple" faltered she. sink
ing with terror.
What have you been dong, miss ?" cried
he. Been taking books tr0n my room.
Majesty, Is that it (, Is that II p
NO, | did not get it from your room; |
got it out OF the beltry ceiling, where you
put it,
For an instant the sallow-tac man gIared
upon her and then moved by savage i'm
lJuist, tlt iDAti u III: DOOk WIN
all his strength and tried savagely to wrest
it from her. A piercing scream issl;ed from
her lips, whI.e she desperately clung to her
prize.
Suddenly Naples heels flew up into the
air and his head and shoulders disappeared
backward. while in their places appeared |
the rough face and broad chest of the sex
ton. while Majesty at the same moment was |
folded in the protecting arms OF her best |
friends.
They had come in search Of her and hay |
inc discovered the absence OF the keys of |
the church, they were Fastening thither. !
it reasonably Indicated that she |
was there.
The sexton had no mercy tor Maple. and |
with rough hand at his neck and harder |
one at the small of his back. he pushed him
OF toward the rector's house, while the !
other two went back to the sections.
20 Majesty, my brave little darling"
cried the lady. in a trembling voice, what |
can | say TO you to tell you how happy and
grateful ycu have made me2 How my
children N their cradles a. home VIII thank |
you some day, and how much better than
all the fairy tales Will be the true story
about you and the rim ging bell
Little Majesty did nothing but hang her
pretty head and walk along in silence
meanwhile pressing her cheek against the
lady hand, and thinking to herself that she
was one of the blessed.