The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-08-19

mu11eu reVerDerat1On, ike the swinging
of massive portal, shook the walls.
Sunshine chased away every sinister
shadow. In the sparkling, dewy fresh
ness of the morning the farmhouse was
commonplace dwelling enough, sur
rounded by green meadows, dilapidated
barns, cackling fowls, and browsing cat
tie. Even the morning brightness could
not conceal traces of poverty, however,
in the running to waste of impoverished
land. Geoffry's door opened readily.
He laughed at his fears, and when Mrs.
Knolls inquired how he had slept, made
a careless response. He was ashamed
of his cowardice. The girl Milly served
him at table, while her mother talked
aimlessly, in rambling fashion, of the
fresh butter, weather, and scenery.
Milly's face, of pearly whiteness, wore
a repressed expression, and there were
shadows beneath the eyes. A curious
girl, Geoffry reasoned, going about like
an old woman, or q machine wound up
by stern duty to task.
Lilac bushes shielded an open cellar
door outside. Geoffry, smokinga cigar
cite, plucked spray, dropped it, and
ran down the steps to recover the
flowers. Mr.. Matthew Knolls was drag
ging bag across the cellar floor. Milly
touched Geoffry on the arm.
would you like to go over the
farm ?"
Geolfry retained two vivid impressions
Of that day. The girl Milly, in straw
hat bound about with grasses, resem-
BILE Ophelia yellow hair escaped in
tresses on her neck, and the blue eyes
wore startled, troubled expression.
She walked along quietly, petting the
cattle, and followed by the chickens.
When they reached the brook crimson
flush swept over her face as cheerful
voice said:
"Good-morning, Milly."
The speaker, handsome young man,
in red shirt, with scythe over his
shoulder, had so much the aspect of an
eager lover that Geoffry moved up the
hill slowly. He was surprised to see
Milly place her hands over her ears, as
if refusing to listen, and run after him.
Geoffry observed her closely. NIilly's
inherent honesty and goodness were
ness of her face.
hands are too white. What is he?" de-
manded Geoffry, abruptly.
I" He is mothers only son." she re-
piled, simply.
"Look here; l don't believe in ghosts,
you know, but somebody came into my
room last night, and then locked the
door outside"
NIilly plucked the daisies moment in
silence. eco away" she said, sudden
ly. eve did not expect him back when
we advertised.
This was the first impression. The
second was even more startling. Geoffry
spent the afternoon following the brook
above the house with a fishing rod.
Watching the sunshine glance through
the quiverlng leaves overhead, and the
brown water swirl about rocks, where
tiny plants dipped their blossoms in the
spray, Geoffry wandered on until he dis
covered man on the opposite bank.
The man, wearing velveteen coat, sat
with his back to the observer, reading a
newspaper. Geoffry was about to hail
him, when the stranger laid aside the
newspaper, and consulted chronometer
of red gold, with an azure shield on the
cover. Geoffry beheld his grandfather's
watch 4! He was SO entirely overcome
by this discovery that his wits forsook
him. The watch stolen, forever lost
down on the sea-board, worn boldly up
here The man had moved away
Geoffry crossed the brook just in time
to see him enter the farmhouse. What
was to be done2 He spent an hour,
flushed, excited and bewildered, recall
ing every possible aid of similar expe-
rience. Should he boldly claim the ar
ticle Who would take his part if he
did9 Milly and the mother were easily
cowed by the son. This son was evil
dently bad man, possibly in league
with robbers. Gooffry returned TO the
farm. The fowls were going to roost;
the COWS were being MIXED. 1t must
bea nightmare.
He went to his room and threw him
self OH the bed. He could not face
these people until he had decided what
to do. He declined supper on the
score of headache. Mrs. Knolls made
him sip tea, and left him for the night.
At eleven o'clock he rose, imbucd with
sense of dangerous adventure. He
would recover the watch and go away.
Cautiously he made barricade before
the door of the table and two chairs,
then taking his hat and pocketbook,
opened the window and slid to the
ground. Milly was speaking in the
kitchen.
81 shall not desert mother, and 1
will never marry John Townley. He's
an honest man, and we are not fit for
him."
cts hard to be so poor" interposed
tho voice of Abraham Knolls. " Mat
thew's chose his own ways, Milly."
"I If the city chaps abel, it's safe to
turn the key .on him." growled Mat
thew.
Tho yellow dog shifted at Geoffry, who
patted the animal reassuringly. At the
same moment figure approached,
raised the cellar door, and descended
the steps. Geoffry followed recklessly,
feeling sure that this was the man in the
velveteen coat. The cellar was moldy
and dark the man groped among the
barrels, and struck match as he reach
cd door at the end. Curiosity held
Geoffry spellbound. The rays of Ian
| tern fell on the inner cellar, where silks,
laces, and furs were heaped in confu-
sion. The seals of the great watch dan
gled from the miscreant's pocket. Geof-
fry's eyes flashed. The lad sprang for
ward, dashed aside the lantern, and
wrenched away the watch. Pure tenn
per lent him requisite courage for the
bold deed. AS he rushed up the steps
again shrill whistle sounded in the eel
lar, followed by a responsive movement
in the house.
He ran along the road, climbed the
| frSt hill and pausa1 to look hack A