Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-03-24

green lHeauOWe, uliapiualcu DdEns, Cack-
| ling fowls, and browsing cattle. Even the
| morning brightness could not conceal
traces Of poverty, however in the running
to waste Of impoverished land. GeOfry's
door opened readily. He lauphed at his
fears, and when Mrs. Knolls inquired how
I he had slept, made \ careless response
He was ashamed of bis cowardice. The
girl Mlley served him at table, while her
mother talked aimlessly, in a rambling
fashion. of the fresh butter, weather and
scenery. Milly's face. of pearly whiteness
wore = repressed expression, and there
were shadows beneath the eyes. a Gu
rious girl, Geoflry reasoned, going about
lide sn old woman, or a machine wound
up by stern duty to task.
Lilac bushes shielded an open cellar
door outside. Geoffry, smoking a cigar
cite plucked spray, dropped it, aud ran
down the steps to recover the flowers. Mr..
Matthew Knolis was dragging bag across
the cellar floor. Mlly touched Geoffry on
the arm.
Would you like TO go over the farm?'
Geoffry retained two vivid impressions
of that day. The girl Hilly, in straw
ha. bound about with grasses, resembled
OPP ella yellow hair escaped in tTesses on
her neck, and the blue eyes wore startled
and troubled expression. She walked
along quietly, petting the cattle, and fol-
lowed by the chickens. When they reach
ed the brook crimson flush swept over
her face as cheerful voice said
Good morning, Milly.'
The speaker, handsome young man, in
red shirt, with q scythss over his shoul-
der, had go much the aspect Of an eager
lover that Geoffry moved up the hill slow
ly. He was surprised to see Ailly place
her hands over her ears, rs if refusing TO
listen and run after him. Geoffry observed
her closely. Milly's inherent honesty and
goodness were legiby written on tile trans
parent fairness of her face.
Your brother is rot farmer his hands
are LOU WHllc. " ullc Is ne . ueIHaNueu
Geoffry, abruptly.
lie is mother. only son. she replied
simply.
Look here don't believe in ghosts,
you know, bat somebody came into my
room last night, and then locked the door
outside
Milly plucked the daisies a moment in
silence. Go away she said, suddenly
We did not expect him back when We ad-
vertised.
This was the FIRST impression. The sec
ond was even more startling. Geofry
spent the afternoon following the brook
above the house with fishing rod. Watch
:Dg the sunshine glance through the quiv-
ering leaves overhead, and the brown va
ter whirl about the rocks, where tiny
plants dipped their blossoms in the spray,
GeOilry wandered on until be discovered 4
man on the opposite bank. The man,
wearing yelyeteen coat, sat with his back
TO the observer, reading a newspaper
Geofiry was about to hail him, when .he
stranger laid aside the newspaper, and
consulted chronnmeter of red gold, with
an azure shield on the cover. GeOffrY be-
held his grandfather's watch He was so
entirely overcome by this discovery that
his wits forsook him The watch stolen.
forever lost down on the sea board, worn
h,l1 y L,l 4
away. Geofiry crossed the brook just in
time to see him enter the farmhouse. What
was TO be done? He spen. an hour, flush
ed, excited and bewildered, recalling every
possible aid Of similar experience. Should
be boldly claim the articleP VINO would
take his part if be did MilIy and her
mother were easily cowed by the SON.
This son was evidently bad man, posi-
bly, in league with robbers. Geoflry re-
turned to the farm. The fowls were going
to roost TIVE cows were being MIXED
1t must be nightmare.
He went to his room and threw himself
on the bed. He could not face these peo-
pie until he had decided what TO do. He
declined supper on the score of headache.
Mrs. Knobs made him sip tea, and left
him for the night. At eleven O'Clock he
rose, imbued with sense of dangerous ad-
venture. He would recover the watch
and go away. Cautiously he made bar
ricaGe before the door of the table and two
chairs, then taking his hat and pocket
pocket book. opened the window and slid
to the ground. Mily was speaking in the
kitchen.
Il shall not desert mother, and l will
never marry John Townly. He's an hon
est man, and we are not fit for him.
It's hard TO be go poor interposed the
voice OF Abrham Knols. Matthew s
choose his own ways, Milly.
IF the city chaps abed, its safe to turn
the key on him. growlsd Matthew.
The yellow dog shifted at 'Geofry, 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 CROPPED among the barrels, and
struck match &C he reached the door at
the end Curiosity held Geoifry spell
bound. The rays of = lantern fell on the
inner cellar, where silks, laces, aud furs
were heaped IN confusion. The scale Of
the great watch dangled from the mis-
creant's pocket. Geoffry's eyes flashed
The lad sprang forward, dashed aside the
lantern. and wreuched away the watch
Pure temper lent him requisite courage for
the bold deed. As he rushed up the
steps again shrill whistle sounded in the
cefar, followed bv responsive movement
in the house.
He ran along the rad, climbed the first
hill and paused to lood. A light was visi-
bic, fitting from window to window /; a
faint sound indicated the crash of forcing
bis bedroom door, then the lamp was eta