The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-12-12
Select Story.
A DEATH OR A MARRIAGE.
WELL roLD STORY OF LOVE AND aDyrsrrul

The ancient clock in Deacon Shermer's
old fashioned kitchen was slowly Ginning
the hour of nine II was no smart toy, no
triAe Of bronze or alabaster, but tall,
square, solid relic Of the last century, look
ing not unlike eoffin-case set on end, in
the corner-a clock that had lasted through
four generations, and Judging from appear
ances was quite likely to last through
several more. Deacon Shcrmer cherished
the old heirloom with sort Of pride which
he himselfwould scarcely have confessed to.
There was great ruddy fire of chestnut
logs in the red brick-pavcd fireplace; and
the candles in the brightly polished brass
sticks were winking merily from the high
wooden mantel, where they shared the post
of honor with curious sea shell and a
couple of vases, each containing fresh
Usage orange, from tho hedge that skirted
the clover fold behind the barn. At the
window, a curtain Of gaudy chintz shut
out the tens Of thousands of stars that
were shining brightly on that frosty au-
tumnal night and on the cosy rug of the
parti-colored rags fat tortoise shell cat
purred away the slowly lapsing minutes
But the tortoise shell cat was not the only
inhabitant of the snug farmhouse kitchen.
"Timothyl" said Mary Shermcr, decid-
edly, "if you don't behave yourself, III
What she would do, Mary did not say;
the sentence was terminated BY d laugh
that set the dimples round her mouth in
motion, just as beam Of June sunshine
plays across cluster of red,ripe cherries.
Mary Shermer was juk Ia plump,
rosy girl, with jet hair, flushed back from
low forehead, and perfectly arched eye
brows, that gave bewih.hing expression
of surprise to a pair of Melting hazel eyes.
She was rather dark; but Che severe critic
would not have found faultwith the peach
like bloom upon her cheeks and the dewy
red of her full, daintily curvsd lips. Evil
IDENTIFY Mr., Timothy Marshall was quito
satisfied with Mary's style II beauty.
"Come, Mary" said Tim, moving his
chair where he could best watch The flush
Of the freight upon her face. and picking
up the thread of the conversation where
he had dropped it when it became ueces-
sary for Mary tobid him "behave himself
---"you might promise. It's nine o'clock,
and your father will soon be home"
What, Tim ?" said Mary, demurely,
fitting square rod in her patchwork, and
intently Observing the fact.
Nonsense, Maryl You know rhat
very well. Promise to marry me before
Christmas l tell you what, Mary, ii is
all very well for you to keep putting 1t of,
but can't stand it. What with your
fathers forbidding me in the house aud
that romantic Tom Stanley's coming here
every Sunday night"
Mary gave her pretty head toss. "As
if Mr.. SANKEY'S coming here made any
difference in my feelings, Tim |"
"No; but Mary, it isn't pleasant, you
know, I'm as good man as Tom Stanley,
if don't own railroad shares and keep an
account at Hamiltonyillc bank; and | love
you, Mary, from the very bottom of my
heart Now this matter lies between you
and me only; no other person in the world
has right to interfere between us, Come
promise me r. He held both her hands
in his and looked earnestly into the liquid
hazel eyes.
Do you love me, Mary ?"
You know love you, Tim
"Then we may just as we'll. Hush
what's that?"
There was portentous sound Of draw
ing bolts and rafting latchcs in the porch
room beyond---a scraping of heavy boots
along the floor. Mary rose to her feet
with sudden scarlet suffusion on her brow
and cheeks.
a0h, Tim, it Is fatherT'
Suppose il isl"
I" But he mustn't find you here, Tim
Hide yourself somewhere, dol"
"What nonsense, Mary said tho young
man resolutcly standing his ground. 4
haven't come to steal his spoons Why
should l creep away like detected bur
glar?p Nt EH
For my sake, Tim, Oh, Tim, Il you ever
loved me, do as | say Not in that closet
il is close to his bedroom; not through
that window it is nailed down tight. He's
coming he's coming Here, Tim, quickF'
And in the drawing Of breath, she bad
pushed Timothy Marshall into the square
pendulum case Of the tall old clock and
turned the key on him. II was not a