Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-04-04

Hark was that the wall Of wind. or wa
it something, to her literally "nearer ant
dearer?' Yes-she could not be mistaken
it was actually snore.
| Hetty rose softly to her feet with renewed
hope. Surely, now was the accepted time
Noiselessly as floating shadow, SD
crossed the hall. opened the kitchen door
and stole across the creaking boards Of tn
floor. The shifting lustre of the freight re
vealed to her Deacon Merritt nodding befor'
the fire with closed eyes, and hands hanging
at bis sides.
He is certainly asleep" thought Hetty
! With heart that beat quick and fast
like the stroke OF miniature hammer. she
drew the key from her dress pocket and pro
ceeded, spite of the nervous trembling o.
her fingers, to fit it into the lock. So alb
sorbed was she in her task, that she never
noted the sudden cessation of the heavy
breathing--never saw the deacon start sud
den into wakefulness, and look around to
words her. All Hetty, love ; blind, they
say, and it is equally true that love is some
times beat
The deacon rose quietly up with shrewd
twinkle in his eyes. and Hetty gave little
frightened shrek as hand fell softly on he,
arm, possessing itself quietly Of the kew.
Let me help you,' said Deacon Mer-
rift.
Father, II have found the key" fal
tered Hetty, ''and--
Found the key, eh ?" returned the dea
con "Well, that's lucky and now you
can find out what'a the matter with the old
clock p
Hetty's heart, throbbing SO wildly mo.
ment or two ago, seemed to stand absolute
ly still as Deacon Merritt turned the key
and opened the tall door of the clock case.
Hal 10 p calculated Deacon Merritt as
Mr.. John Aylmer tumbled laughipgly into
the room. So you was the matter with
the old clock, eh ?"
Eyes. sir" said Mr. Aylmer, composed
ly. Il hope haven't seriously interftred
with the works of the clock p
You've seriously interfersd with me T.
said the deacon, waxing indignant. "What
do you mean, sir, by hiding III my house
like thief p
Indeed. indeed father" cried Hetty
bursting into tears. ut wasn't his fault.
He didn't want to hide, but | put him
there
You did eh /? And may ask what
for p
Father" faltercd Hetty. rather irrev-
erently, II love him and he loves me p
lis that any reason he should hide in the
clock case, miss p
"No-but father o father, l can new.
er marry Caleb Truman He is old and
cross and withered, and" Hetty's eyes
finished the sentence for her. The deacon
looked down, not unkindly, on her bowed
bead, and the tender arm that supported it
Apparently the course Of true love, roughly
thuogh it ran, was overwhelming all his
own worldy-wise arrangements in its tide
''And SO you young folks really think
you love each other p said the deacon med.
itatively.
Il love her with all my heart and soul,
sir" said John Aylmer, earnestly. I'm
not rich. know, but can work for her
"And [ can work for myself too, faith.
err" said Hetty, with eyes that shown like
softened stars
And you said yourself, sir. went On
Aylmer, that stopping of the clock meant
either death or marriage. Of course
we don't want any deaths, SO don't you think
the most sensible thing to do is to help on
marriage as soon as possible ?"
The deacon laug he'd in spite of himself.
cit is late." said the deacon Come
round tomorrow morning. and we'll talk
about it, No, Hetty, I'm not angry with
you child. I suppose young folks will be
young folks, and there's no use in trying to
stop 'em.
And as the deacon hung the pendulum
and set the iron tongue Of the old clock talk.
ing again. John Aylmer paused on the front
door step to whisper to Hetty-
"My darling, it's worth passing life
time behind clock case to feel as happy as
do now