The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-05-11

was out Oh ner room, MT. Lowe cluDE 10
his, and vice versa: but it was not hard
to see how things were going. Good
little Mrs. Lean, who had been vaunted
by her deceased husband as a woman
with no nonsense about her, emulated
the arts of the younger and fairer widow.
She took to using powder and pomatum
and dressing in juvenile style. She got
out a long disused guitar, recalled with
painful industry a rhythmic demonstra-
ton, and accom- panied the music with
an exceedingly thread-like vocal effort,
while Apollo listened entranced
Happily John was not present. He
was in his attic. His attic had acquired
some charm more potent than even the
destinations of the beautiful Mrs. Mel
rose. From within came mysterious
sound, from early morning late into the
night, ceasing at irregular intervals and
renewed with increased vigor. Mrs
Melrose, aware of her vulnerable spot,
didn't dare to ask questions, and no one
else felt authorized to do so. John
crept to and from his meals wan and
silent as a ghost-sometimes he forgot
to eat. And still the mysterious sounds
went on.
Then fell upon Mrs. Leans boarding
house plague like to one of the plaques
of Egypt-a plague of caterpillers.
They were encountered everywhere.
The stout old sea captain, who had lost
leg, smashed one on the stairs, and
came down with his wooden limb, be
laboring the air, while its owner swore a
number of furious and ingenious oaths
that he would raze the grapevine.
The maiden lady, whose normal con-
dition was a doubt as to the general
cleanliness of things, discovered huge
one in her teacup, and packed her trunk
the same night
Ticklings of spines and unpleasant
sensations on the scalps of different in
dividuals resulted in the capture of the
brown, hairy monsters. The boarders,
in body, gave warning that they could
not stay if the nuisance were not abated,
and Mrs. Lean was in despair.
Her son knew nothing of all this.
He shut himself up with the marvellous
whiz and whirr, appearing only at inter
walls, with hectic flush on his cheeks
and maniacal light in his eyes.
On certain Saturday night, when
/
and various other members of the house
hold were wrapped in slumber, John
Lean started to his feet. The curious
little loom at which he was at work
stopped as he did so, and some part of
the structure snapped.
" BrokenW cried John aloud "But
no matter. It's been done once, and it
can be done again"
And with frantic gestures he waved
above his head fragment of some dark
and indistinguishable substance.
Suddenly sound caught his ear.
81 believe she knows it. She feels my
Joy. She will come to share it with
mel" he exclaimed, and, lifting candle
from his loom, rushed to the door.
The rush of wind made by his hasty
movement extinguished the lamp, and
he paused.
care you coming?" whispered voice
at the foot of the stair, and down strobe
John. 1t was voice that answered the
pleadings of his heart.
"Comingl Comingr" he whispered.
And you've got it at last?''
Just as l thought. She's en- rapport
with me" said John, in STACEY paren-
thesis
Let me see," whispered a feminine
voice, and a light appeared, revealing
the fact that the white hands of Mrs.
Melrose were holding a small revolving
! lantern.
Here, love-" said John Lean, still in
a cautious whisper. 81 will make whole
coats of this, and wear them for your
sake. It's caterpillar cloth. It's as
good as India-rubber cloth"
He laid the offering on one of the fair
hands holding the lantern. He saw in
one astonished second-frst, the face of
the loveliest of women staring at him
stupidity; then a 1.-THE figure descended
the stairs, with unshod feet, and a huge
bundle on its head Then he heard a
shrek
1" A war-ruml A wur-rum! A wor-
rump'
Louder and louder each each time the
dreadful thought required.
:" Be still, you idiotp growled the I'M
shod Apollo.
But it was too late. Lights flashed
aboye--whlte draperies appeared. In
the space of minute, half dozen
men, In ill-sorted garments, were on the
scene of action. Then all the house
gathered, and from the black bundle at
Monsieur Apollo's feet were rescued
silverware and jewelry-Mrs. Leans
teaspoons, the sea captains magnificent
watch, and countless other pickings and
stealings.
Let's get out of this" said Mrs
Leans late admirer, with sudden in
spiration, selling Mrs. Melrose by the
arm, and out they got without hind
rance, leaving the assembled company
transfxed.
So that's whate II the conniving
meant growled the captain, who, be-
fore the times of fair Melrose, had been
supposed to have sneaking fancy for
Mrs. Lean.
Nobody spoke, but smile went round
Each dived for his own and departed,
leaving mother and son alone.
John Lean, with a gesture of con-
tempt, rent the mysterious brown sub
stance in his fingers into minute frag-
ments, His mother, gathering a tea urn
and half-dozen forks, the only articles
of her tableware which had been found
worth purloining, collected also her
choking voice.
Come, john" said she. "Come
down and get cup of coffee. You look
all done up"