, 1877-07-29


she often did, By the river side in the dark, IN
hopes OF meeting her sister, when she had seen
her coming, and, owing to q slip on the grass,
fallen OF the bank into the water She bad
all. Her uncle was among the foremost in
questioning her, and, as she replied, she liked
such steady, cleaning look on his face that
those who stood behind him felt him shrink back
a few steps, though they knew not why.
Mary was buried. aud for few days Brownie
vent about in silence. Some thought she had
become dumb, Tor in vain they endeavored to
elicit word from her. She had not wept once
since her sisters death, but her cheeks, which
such short time ago were such . rich brown
have turned pale. and were perceptibly
growing thinner. There was one fayorite spot
where she spent most OF the day, and that
was behind the thick hedge on the limits
Of the farm; and no one but herself knew why
she went there. One day one Of tie iarm-
laborers happened to pass her as she Was SEATED
with her face resting on her hanls aud her Ell
bows on her knees, her long brown hair almost
entirely covering her little body. The man felt
pity for the poor. lonely girl, and spoze kind
Wol1 to her. All at once she started up to her
feet, looked tor moment keen1y into his face,
and then broke out with her old SONG
Oh. cold il the river and dark and deep,
And stony the bed where the maid doth sleep:
Up.sard she stares with her wide blue eyes,
But the sun never wakes her, nor bids her arise.
Tne man went Off shuddesing at the girls
strange, wild looks and voice, and told every
one that Brownie bad recovered her voice.
They soon became all aware Of it, for from
that day Brownie Was continually wandering
about the farm with that song on her lips.
Some chl her, and bale her think of her sister;
but the only reply they got was peal Of snrili
laughter aud 4 strange look that puzzled them
for hours utter. Others only shook their heads
and mutterel grave words to one another; words
that they you'd not have cared to speak out
But the strnngest thing uf all was the liking
for her uncle she seemed suddenly to hare TAX
EN-. Wherever he went, she was with him.
sitting opposite to him, and never took her eyet
from his face Sometimes, when DeubV was
about to commence his meal, he would raise his
eyes snd find them met by Brownies, anil SC
unbearable was the look to him that be Otter
rose up deadly pale, declaring that he felt sud:
denly sick and could not eat. Whenever This
happened, Brownie would rise too aud sing the
verse about the river; then she would take his
hand and lead him away, saying that she would
care for him. OF all her little scraps of song,
that about the river was the only one she now
remembered, aud not infrequently did The peo-
pie on the farm wake upin the dead OF the night
and hear It resoundtng through the house, and
it made them cold with dread.
It was almost year since Mary's death when
Brownie began to disappear each day for several
hours, and no one knew what became OF her,
The circumstance, however, was not thought
much OF, for there never had been any a:countr
ing for her con1ings and goings. Her uncle, per
haps, noticed 1t most Of all, for to him It was q
sensible relief II Brownie had grown thin and
pale, he had grown thinner and pa1er still: he
was but the shadow Of the man he had been
year ago. For many months he had been Lead
Ing the life OF hunted beast, always striving to
when he least expected it. he had grown 50
! nervous that the slightest sudden soun.l would
make him trcmblc like Leaf; whilst Brownies
look aud Brownies voice seemed almost to par,
alyze him. Now Tor nearly fortnight he had
been free from his torturer, but, It possible, he
dreaded the reprieve more than the actual tor
meut, for he knew not what lav behind it.
At length the anniversary Of Narys death
came round. DENLY himself did not seem to
| remember it, but every one else did, and went
memory Of the event. Brownie nad not been SO
Quiet for year as shc was to-day. No one
heard her speak, and her song for the day was
silent 4sShe knows what day it is" the people
said one to another, - and she Is thinking Of her
sister, But no one spoke openly to her about
it. It happened that on this day Deaby had
business at B., mud late in the afternoon he
set out to walk there. As he passed over the
fields hc kept looking eagerly and anxiously on
nll sides for Brownies figure, but it WAS no"
where to be seen. lie felt easy for once
1t was already dark when the people At
Drew's farm were surprised BY visit from
Brownie, who came aud inquired for Philip. The
| young man spoke with her, and, ooeyins her
! SkH
! With but one word Of explanation, and taat was
| stAfary.'' lie shared the common idea that the
poor girl was half-witted, but bis old love LOT
| hcr sister made him behave kindly to her and
willing to humor her fancies. so they LOOK
their way down the fields in the direction Ut the
riyer, walking hand In hand and in silence. The
I night was very dark, and the only sound was
the distant barking Of dogs at the farm houses
| They had arrived at the foot-path which led
along the side OF the river to the bridge, by the
1ri11 srhr Stn0nHu
pointed III the direction Of the wood, which was
not far of. Philip saw q clear Light burning
there, though whence itcame he could not dis
tingTjsh; !1sa, s that ~, b. .,,.a .1et II. 90 and
But Brownie held him back, and, without
speaEing drew him in among the thick bushes
which bordeeed the path. Then she whispered
astay here till you see Fsrmer DENLY eoudug
along towards the bridge Watch hin, and
when he turns to go towards the light. to1lo"
him quietly"
The next moment Philip was alone In his
hiding:place. At first he felt half uncertain
whether to do as the girl had told him or not;
but when he thought OF her earnest tones,
when be remembered what day It WAS and when
he reflected that it was DENLY whom he was
about to watch, all kinds Of strange 1ansies
rushed into his mind, and he resolved 10 opey'
Brownies tnjunctions.
He had not been In hiding long before het
heard quick, heavy steps approaching: 1t
sounded distinctly In the dead silence. Then
all at once he heard shEill cry from the WOOD
The footsteps stopped, and, peering from tho
bushes, Philip saw q tall dark form not Lar
from him, turned in the direction of the cry.
he recognized the figure OF Farmer DENLY
The ncxt moment the CRY Was repeated, and the
farmer began to move quickly towards the ll<hty
which could be seen cleaning distinctly amonR
the trees Philip followed at short distance
and IS quickly Is possible. They drew nearer 70
the light, and at length Philip perceived that i
was large lantern suspended from the bough
Of tree. Denby Was now close to 1t, and was-
standing motionless, regarding something o.
| fore him. Philip drew near on tsp-toe, tui ha
was close behind the farmers back, md SAN
What it was be was gazing at.
From the bottom OF the trunk OF large tree
all the bark had been peeled oil, and in the wood
letters had heen deeply cut. and then b'ackeued
with common paint The lantern that hung
| from the bough made these letters quite dis,
| tiuct, and Philip read them as he stood behind
DENLY: ...-..... .......
YEAR AGO You MURDERED Ne: :.
! To-k.sHr CLAIM VKNGEANcE-
! MAEr..
| *'+'"'-"-
| : Philips blood froze in his veins with horror,
| and Tor moment be wa5 unable 70 SUE men
I = = 3 H. HnNF r. n