The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-07-04
THE PROPHECY.

ject, Louise" SAID Blanche Underwood, as
che stood before the mirror in their private
parlor and adjusted her ruf1es, "in looking
for that quality, you'll overlook the want
Of some other, and find y:u have made a
grievous blunder."
= "Csn't help it if l do. 1t'smy nature to
wo:s"i p that quality--in man especially
thou ,h admire it in any one. He may
be plain looking, but he is glorified forever
in my eyes if he displays true courage,
and Louise Rand passed her white fingers
lightly over her wavy black hair, and re-
snmcd he reclining position on the
lounge.
land you don't think Redmond Clarke
has coIrage7'' Blanche said interrogstive-
II, turning to look at the fair, flushed face
OF her companion.
No, Of course I DON'T" said the other
with renewed animation. Il never saw
any of these blonde men show courage
don't believe it's consistent with their
natures. II Redmond Clarke ever gains
my love he will have to prove himself a
man by some unouestionable daring"
"Thcrc is moral as we'll as physical
hcroism," quietly suggested Blanche. l
former
want to see them combined" said
the lmperlous beauty. "Physical dar-
ing is the outgrowth and seal OF moral
courage. But we shall have to drop our
discussion. Hero comes the gentleman
himself"
They heard tread on the stairs, then
the door swung open and Redmond
Clarke entered.
A careless, free. and easy exterior a
gentlemanly bearing. Undeniably hand
some, if one admired the style Louise
profess to cspise-blonde mustachc,
indolent-looking eyes, and very brown
hair.
Have you heard the news, ladias2"
he asked, as he threw himself, with easy
grace, into the depths of comfortable
chair, and pushed back his heavy hair
from a broad white forehead.
No, I didn't guess they dealt in such a
commodity in this quiet place." said
Blanche.
"Perhsps it isn't local news" suggested
Louise, idly winding some bright worst
eds, while Redmond Clarke noticed the
contrast between the glowing colors and
HcE SNOWY uuSeTS.
"Yes, it is local news with ven.
geance. A prophecy uttered by seer
sixty years ago regarding this town is on
the eve Of fullflment'
"Please explain" said both, with grow
ing interest.
ITO morrow night this hotel, known
rs the Cocasset House, and a space Of two
miles from it, in all directions included.
is to sink, and instead OF the inhabited will
age the morning sun is to rise over broad
cxpanse of water, which has covered the
doomed inhabtants''
:" Pshaw..'' said Louise, impatiently.
ave were unfortunate in our select
ions Of spot t, yusticate," pursued Rcd
mond, watching Louise closely, without
seeming to do so. 1--WE came here to
escape being bored by fashionable society.
If We are swallowed up by the miniature
flood aforesaid, society will be rid of us,
which would be of loss on both sides
Perhaps We had better pack our
trunks and leave on the strength Of this
threatened danger" said Louise, with
quiet sarcasm.
"Suppose we make short visit to
Ashdaie and return-if the place still
stands-when the dangerous period mas
passed. laughed Blanche.
"Therc's the dinner bell" and the con-
versation ended somewhat abruptly.
The trio descended to the quiet, cool
dining-r0om, and took their seats at the
table.
ut is said that the FIRST part of the
prophecy has been literally fulfilled" q
gentleman was sayirg as they entered.
We may reasonably expect the rest to
be true also.'
"What are the circumstances2" inquir-
cd a middle aged lady. IL have heard
only the last part OF the story"
II viii; tell you. Sixty years ago
traveller stopped here at hotel, where
this ono now stands, and engaged
board and lodging for fortnight But
the first morning he made his appearance
with face white with horror, and in
formed the landlord that he could rot
Dtay rs he fret intended. He narrated
that during the night it had been unfoded
to him that ho,rid murder had been per-
petrated within the walls of the building
short time past, and that, as curse, ali
the children afterwards born here should
die in infancy further new hotel should
be erected on the site Of the one then
standing in fifty years.and in sixty year
the hotel and part Of the town should b
engu.fed. as further lenthening out of
the curse"
The middle-aged lady looked mnch
Impressed.
" All this happened where we now
are2'
Yes, the Cocassett House now stands
on the spot where the dire prophecy was
uttered, and we now wait anxiouslv for
the final consummation.'
Have they made allowances in their
reckoning for leap year9" tlippantly in.
quired youth who sat opposite the seri
Gus gentleman.
"you should not jest under the shadow
OF great calamity, said the first i'm
pressively, regarding the youthful unbe.
lever severely through his glasses; then
to the lady" the traveller was observed
to have jet black hair the night before
in the morning it was snowy white"
Part Of the people at the table looked
serious; part were amused. Among thu
latter was Redmond. His eyes twinklct
with suppressed amusement, but he con
cealcd it. Blanche and Louisa had beer
interested listeners. to the narrative
growing somewhat dignitied by the dis
cussion at the dinner table.
You see how much foundation lie
beneath this apparently idle gossip.
believe discretion is the better part O
valor on our part"
Louise, from under her long lashes
shot whitening glance at the man VIII,
loved nor, but she did not deign an an
swcr: She could not make out this man
She believed that sometimes she half des
pissed him.
II believe l shall take the train fo]
Ashdale,' announced Redm md the mex
afternoon, looking at his watch. II hav,
little business there to which I wish L
attend"
Louise flashed quick glance from he,