The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-10-23
DEATH OR MARRIAGE.

smart TOY, OF Ln6 bronze OF alaDdsCers 1
but a tall, square, solid relic of the
last century, looking not unlike coffin
case set on end in the corner-a clock
that lasted through four generations,
and, Judging from appearances, was
quite likely to last through several
more. Deacon Shermer cherished the
old heirloom with a sort of pride which
he himself would scarcely have con-
fessed to.
There was great ruddy fire of chest
nut in the red brick fireplace and the
candles in the brightly polished brass
sticks were winking merrily from the
high wooden mantel, where they shared
the post of honor with sea-shen and a
couple of vases, each containing fresh
Usage from the hedge that skirted the
clover field behind the barn. At the
window curtains of gaudy chintz shut |
out the tens of thousands of stars that |
were shining brightly on that autumnal |
night, and on the cozy rug of parti- |
Colored rags a fat tortoise-shen cat was |
not the only inhabitant of the farm |
house kitchen.
s. Timothy" said Mary Shermer, de-
cidedly, !" if you don't behave yourself,
III"
What she would do Mary did not
say the sentence was terminated by
laugh that set the dimples around her
June sunshine plays across a cluster of
ripe cherries.
Mary Shermer was just seventeen
. plump, rosy girl, with jet black hair.
brushed back from low forehead, and
perfectly-arched eyebrows, that gave a
bewitching expression of surprise to
pair of melting hazel eyes. She was
rather dark but the severest critic
would not have found fault with the
the dewy red of her full, daintily- curved
lips. Evidently MIR. Timothy Marshall
was quite satisfied with Mary's peculiar
style of beauty.
ssCome, 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 con-
versation where he had dropped it when
1t became necessary for Mary to bid
him behave himself, "you might
promise. It's o'clock, and your father
Will soon be home"
ssPromise what, Tim?' said Mary,
demurely, fitting square of red in her
patchwork, and 1ntently observing the
effect.
very well. Promise to marry me before
Christmas. 1 tell you what, Mary, it's
all very well for you to keep putting
fellow off, but can't stand it. What
with your forbidding me the house, and
that romantic Tom Stanley's coming
here every Sunday night"
Mary gave her pretty head toss.
As if Mr.. Stanley's coming here made
any difference with my feelings r.
SsNo; but, Mary, it isn't pleasant,
you know. I'm as good a man as Tom
Stanley, if I don't own railroad shares
and keep an account in the Hamilton.
vile Bank and love you, Mary, from
the bottom of my heart. Now this
matter lies between you and me only !:
no other person in the world has right
tointerfere between US. Come-promise
me- He held her both hands in his
and looked earnestly in the liquid hazel
eyes, 'sDo you love me, Mary ?"
ss You know I love you, Tim.
''Then we may just as we'll Hush
what's that?''
There was a portentous sound of
drawing bolts and rafting latches in
the porch-room beyond, a scraping of
heavy boots along the floor.
90, Tim, it's father p
stSuppose it is %
ssBut he mustn't find you here, Tim.
Hide yourself somewhere, do -
ssWhat nonsense, Mary - said the
young man, resolutely standing his
ground 81 haven't come to steal his
spoons. Why should I creep away like
detected burglar p
IS For my sake, Tim. If you ever
loved me, do as I say. Not in that
closet it is close to his bedroom. Not
through that window it is nailed tight.
He is coming. Here, Tim, quick p
And, in the drawing of breath, she
had pushed Timothy Marshall into the
square pendulum case of the tall clock,
and turned the key upon him. It was
not a pleasant place of refuge, inasmuch
- thn1r
side, and his head fattened against
springs and wheels above, and the air
was unpleasantly close ; but Tim made
the best of matters, and shook with sup
pressed laughter in his solitary prison
cell
''WelI, a jolly scrape to be in r. were
Tins thoughts. stAnd no knowing
little puss, however, and I can't do bet
ter than to leave the matter in hel
hands,"
$50 you haven't gone to bed yet
Mary said Deacon Shermer slowly
nnwinding the two yards of wooleI
scarf with which he generally encased
his throat of an evening.
s. Not yet, father said Mary, picking
mp the scattered bits of patchwork, will
3 glowing cheek. ''Did you have {
pleasant meeting ?"
stWell, yes" quoth the deacon, re
Rectively, sitting down before the fire
greatly to Mary's CONSERVATION sht
had hoped he would have gone to bee
at once, according to his usual custom
50 1t was toPbly pleasant. Elder Husk
ler was there, and Elder Hodgkins. anC
we'll, all the church folks pretty much
Why, how red your cheeks are, Mary
Tired, amt you? Well, you needn'
sit up for me, my dear it must be get
TING late"
The deacon glanced mechanicall
round at the clock. Mary felt tn
blood grow cold in her veins. stTwent,
minutes past nine why, it must b
later than that ! Why. land O Canaan
the old clocks stopped" The old cloc
had stopped nor was it wonderful III
der the circumstances. 81 wound
up this mornin', I'm sartin, said th
deacon, very much disturbed.
never served me such o trick afote
all the years it stood there. Your Au1
Jane used to say it was the sign OF
death or marriage in the family befol
the year was out.
Vshare xvaa a suppressed sound like