The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-02-11

back chairs and thinking-oh, if he woul,
only 60 to bed
AS he sat there his eyelids began tt
droop and his head to nod somnoIently
Marys eyes frightened up with sparkle
something like hope
"Child The said, suddenly Strengthening
up the stitf-back chair, you'd better g
to bed, I'll sit up while longer till tn,
logs burn QUIT"
But, father, Pm not sleepy"
go to bed, my child! !" reiterated the
deacon with a good humored authority
that brooked no opposition; and Mary
crept out Of the room, ready to cry witt
anxiety and notification
1T Tim will only keep quiet little
while longer" she thought, Sitting on the
stairs while the newly-risen moon stream
ed in chilly splendor. "Father sleeps SC
soundly-and he is sure to 90 to sleep il
his chair. | could just steal in and release
him as quietly rs possible.n She sat there
her plump fingers interlaced, and her eyes
fixed dreamily on the floor, while all The
time her ears were strained to the utmos
capacity to catch every sound in the kitch
en- beyond. Hark! was that the wall o
the wind, or was it something to her liter
ally nearer and dearer?n Yes, she couC
not be mistaken now; it was actually /;
| snOre
Mary rose softly to her feet with renew
ed hope. Surely now was the accepted
time Noiselessly rs the floating shadow
she crossed the hail. opened the kitchen
door and stole across the creaking board>
OF the floor. The candles We're out. but
the shifting lustre of the freight reveal
ed her father nodding before the fire, with
closed eyes and 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 ant
bling of her fingers, to lift it into tie lock
SO absorbed was she that she never hotc
ed the cessation Of the heavy breathing
never saw the deacon start suddenly int
wakefulness and look around him. Love
is blind and it is equally true that he is
deaf. The deacon rose quickly up with q
shrewd twinkle in his eyes, and Mary gave
a little frightened shrek, as a hand le
softly on her arm, possessing itself quietly
Of the key.
'>Let me help YOU" said the deacon.
"Father, II found the key" taltereC
! Mary, "and--
Found the key, eli y returned the dca-
con. "Well, that's lucky now we can fine
out what's the matter with the clock"
Mary's heart throbbing 50 wildly no
ment ago, seemed to stand still as hen
father turned the key and opened the dooi
OF the clock case.
''Hal-lo exclaimed the deacon, us Mr.
| Timothy Marshall tumbled into the room
so y0n was the matter with the clock
ell p
Yes, sir, said Tim. composedy. 81
hope | haven't seriously nterered Will
the works of the clock
you've seriously interterred with me-
said the deacon, waxing indignant. "Wha
do you mean, Sir, by hiding in my house
like thief?"
''lndeed. indeed! tather,n cried Mary
bursting into tears, lit wasn't his fault
He didn't want to hide, but | put him
there
''You did ELI! And may ask what Ior p
Father" taltered Mary, rather irrce
vanity. II love him-and lie loves me :"
is that any reason why lie should hid,
in the clock case, miss y"
''No--but--tather, can never marry
MIR. Stanley. lie is 50 soft, and /"
Marv's tears finished the sentence tol
her The deacon looked down not un
kindlv) on her bowed head aud the tender
arm that supported it. Apparently, eth,
course Of true love" roughly though it r;tl
was overwhelming all his own worldly
wise arrangements in its tide
''And 50 you two Young folks reallN
thinh you love each other 27 said the dc;t
con meditatiyely.
Il love her with all my heart and soul
sir, said Tim earnestly. elm not rich
know but | can work tor her.
And can work for myself, too. father,
interposed Mary with eyes that shone like
softcned stars
And you said yourself, sir, went OF
linn, that the stopping Of the cIocl
meant either "a death or a marriage" @
course we don't want any deaths; so don
YOU think the most sensible thing we eau
do is to help on u marriage as soon a.
pOssibIepn
The deacon laughed in spite Of himself
Its late he said, Come around to
morrow morning and Well talk about it
No, Mary, I'm not angry with YOU, child
| s'pose young folks will be young folk.
and there's no use tryn' to stop them
As the deacon re-hung the pendulum
and set the iron tongue of the old clocl
talking again, Tim Marshall paused OF
the doorstep to whisper to Mary:
"What shall it be, Mary, Il death OF ;
marriage?"
And She in turn whispered, ~ marriage
| hope"
My darling" said Tim, ..it's wortl
| passing Il lifetime behind the clock lease to
feel as | do now