The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-05-12
THE OLD CLOCK /;

DEATH OF MARRIAGE.

The ancient clock in Deacon Shermcr'e old
fashioned kitchen was slowly Ginning the
hour of nine IL was no smart toy, no tribe
OF bronze or alabaser, but tall, square, solid
-elic of the last century, not unlike collin
ase set in the cOrner-a,clock that had lasted
our generations, and, judging from appear.
noes, was quite likely to last through several
qore. Deacon Shormer cherished the old
.eirloom with sort of pride which he him.
elf would hardly conlesse 10.
There was great ruddy fire of chestnut
logs in the red brick-paved fireplace, and the
candles in the brighty.polished brass sticks
we're winkiDg mcrrlly from the high wooden
mantle where they shared the post OF honor
with curious sea shell and couple OF vases,
each containing fresh Usage orange, from
The hedge that skirtcd the clover field behind
1thc barn. At the window q curtain of gaudy
chin,. shut out the tens of thousands of stars
that were shining brightly on that frosty au-
CUmnGlS uight, and ON the cosy rug of parli
coloreG rags Eat tortoise.sholl cat purrcd
away The slowly iapsing minutes. But the
SSgtoiscshcll cat was not the only lnhabitant
. az the sAug farmhouse kitchen.
"TlmOthyl' sand Mary Shermer, decidedly,
ii YOU don behave yourself, I'll"
What sle would do Mary did not say; the
sentence was terminated by laugh that set
the dimpics round her mouth in motion, just
as beam Of June sunshine plays across n
cluster Of red.npe cherries.
Mary Shcrmcr was just scvcntcCn.-a plump,
rosy girl, with jet hair brushed back from a
low forehead, and perfectly afched eyebrows
chat gave a bewtching expression of surprise
I'd pair Of melting hazel eyes. She was
rather dark; hut the severe critic would not
have found fault with the peachlke bloom
l.r oh and limo IFyil.pt1u Mr.
Timothy Marshall was quite satisfied with
Nary's style Of beauty.
Come, Mary" said Tim, moving his chair
where he could best watch the flush Of the
Grclight upon her face, and picking up the
thread Of conversation where he had dropped
81 when il became necessary for Mary to bid
nm behave himself you might promise
It's nine O'Clock, and your fatherll soon bC
home"
What, Timg' said Mary, demurely, fitting
"a red square in her patchwork, and Intcntly
observing lis effect.
Nonsense, Mary! You know what very
we'll. Promise TO marry me before Christmas
] tell you what, Mary, it's all very well FOL
you to be putting it off, but can't stand il
What with your fathers forbdding me tn,
house, aud that romantic Tom S,anley's com
.Eg hcfc every Sunday night"
AS If Mr.. SANKEY'S coming here made any
difference in my feelings, Tim"
NO; but, Mary, il isn't pleasant you know
I'm as good a man as Tom Stanley, il don
own railroad shares, and keep an account a
Hamiltonville bank; and love you, Mary
from the bottom OF my heartl Now, thii
matter lies between you and me only; no othe
person in the world has right to interfer
between Us. Come-promlse me"
lie had both her hands in his, and locke,
arnesily into the liquid.hazel eyes.
DO you love me, Nary
You know | love you, Tim"
Then we may just as well-llush! what
;hat?"
There was pOrientous sound of boil
drawing and latches rafting in the pore
room beyOnd-a scraping of heavy boo
along the floor Mary rose to her feet vii
sudden scarlet suffusion on her brow an
cheeks.
@Oh, Tim, It's father!'
Suppose II IS"
aBut he mus: not find you here, Tim! HiC
yourself somewhere, do"
"What nonsense, Mary" said the youu
raan, rcsolutely standing his ground. 81 Ia,
not come II steal his spoons. Why should
rreep away like detected burglar|
"For my sake, Tim. Oh, Tim, If you ev'
loved me. 90 rs say. Not in That closet;
Is close 20 his hed-room-Doi through ;h
window: I; i nsiled down tight Hes col
f1gi hes ccmlng. Here, Tim, quick!