The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-12-12

stances. ~ wound it up this mornin' I'm
sartin, said the deacon, very much dis
turbed. at never saryed me such trick
afore, all the years it's stood there. Your
aunt Jane used to say it was sign of death
or marriage in the family before the year
was out"
There was a suppressed sound like a
chucklo behind the clock-case as Deacon
Shermer funbled on the shelf for the clock
key. "These springs must be out oforder
somehow" said the deacon, decisively.
allow scared you look, child There amt
no cause for being scared. | dont't put
much faith in your aunt James old times
superstition. Where in the name of all
possessed is the key? / could hu' declar
ed left il in the case.
Isn't it on the shelf, father?" asked
Mary, conscious that it was snugy repos-
ing in the pocket of her checked gingham
dress.
"No, nor faint in my pocket neither
And down went the deacon, stifily enough,
on his knees, to examine the aoor, lest
perchance the missing key might have
fallen there.
"Well, l never knowed anything SO
strange in all my life" said the deacon.
at is really strange, faltercd Mary.
an have regular search to-mcrrow,
said deacon Shcrmer. at must be some
where around"
" Yes, it must said Mary, TREMENDOUSLY.
"only," the deacon went on, slowly,
rcsuming his place before the fire, II kind
o don't like to have the old clock stand
still single night When l wake up, you
know, it seems like il was sort o talking
to me in the Stiffness" The deacon look
cd thoughtfully at the fiery back log.
Mary fdgeted uneasily about the room,
Strengthening table covers, setting back
chairs and thinkiug-Oh, il he would only
go to bed
As he sat there his eyelids began to
droop and his head to nod somnolently.
Mary's eyes frightened up with sparkle
something like hope.
"Childl" he said suddenly Strengthening
up the stiff-back chair, "you'd better go to
bed I'll sit up Will. longer till the logs
burn out y
:" But, father, I'm not slespy."
:" Go to bed, my child" reiterated the
deacon with good humored authority that
brooked no opposition; and Mary crept out
of the room, ready to cry with anxiety and
modification.
If Tim will only keep quiet little
while longer" she thought, sitting on the
stairs while the newly risen moon streamed
in with chilly splendor. "Fathcr sleeps so
soundly--and he is sure to go to sleep in
his chair | could just steal in and re-
lease him us quietly as possible" She sat
there, her plump fingers intorlaced, and
her eyes fixed dreamily on the floor, while
all the time her ears were strained to the
utmost capacity to catch every sound in
the kitchen beyond. Hank was that the
wall of the wind, or was il something TO
her literally "nearer and dearer2" Yes /;
she could not be mistaken now il was ac-
tually snore.
Mary rose softly to her feet with re-
newed hope. Surely now was the accepted
time. Noiselessly as the floating shadow
she crossed the hall, opened the kitchen
door and stole across the creaking boards
Of the floor. The candles were burned out,
but the shifting lustrc of the freight re-
vcaled her father nodding before the fire,
with closed eyes aud hands hanging at his
sides.
/" He's certainly asleep" thought Mary.
With heart that beat quick and fast
she drew the key from her pocket and
proceeded, in spite Of the nervous trem-
bling of her fingers, to lift it into the lock;
so absorbed was she that she never noticed
the cessation of the heavy breathing
never saw the deacon start suddenly into
wakefulness and look arounk him. Love
is blind, aud it is equally true that he is
deaf The deacon rose quickly up with a
shrewd twinkle in his eyes, and Mary gave
little frightened shrek as hand FILL
softly on her arm, possessing itself quietly
of the key.
Z" Let me help you, = said the deacon.
" Father, III found the key" faltered
Mary, land
Found the key, chr returned the
deacon. aWell, that's lucky; and now we
eau fad out what's the matter with the
clock" q
Mary's heart throbbing 50 wildly mo
ment ago, seemed to stand stills as her
father turned the key and opened the door
Of the clock-case.