The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-08-01
THE PROPHECY.

In my eyes it hides multitude of sins"
You are 10 enthusiastic on that
subject, Louisa" said Blanch Underwood,
as she stood before the mirror in their
private parlor and adjusted her ruilles,
'in looking for that quality, you'll over
look the want OF some other, and find you
have made grievous bunder."
"Can't help it if | do. It's my nature
to worship that quality--in man especi
ally-tboueh admire it in any one.
He may be plain looking, but he is glori-
fed forever in my eyes il he displays true
courage" and Louisa Rand passed her
white fingers lightly over her wavy black
hair, and resumed her reclining position
on the lounge,
And you don't think Redmond
Clark has courage" ?" Blanch said in
terrogatively, turning to look at the fair
flushed face of her companion.
"No, of course | DON'T" said the Other
with renewed animation. II never saw
any OF these blonde men show courage
don't believe it's consistent with theil
natures. If Redmond Clarke ever gains
my love he will have to prove himself q
man by some unquestionable daring,
"There is a moral as well as a physic
al heroism," quietly suggested Blanch
don't think my cousin is deficient in
the former.
81 want to sec them combined" said
the imperious beauty. physical dar.
ing is the outgrowth and seal of moral
courage. But we shall have to drop oul
discussion. Here comes the gentleman
himself"
They heard a tread on the stairs, then
the door swung open and Redmond
Clarke entered.
a careless, free and easy exterior, a
gentlemanly bearing. Undeuiably hand.
some, it one admired the style Louise
professed to despise-blonde mustache,
indoent.looking eyes, and very brown
hair.
Have you heard the news, ladies ?''
he inquired, as he threw himself, with
easy grace, into the depths of a comfort
able chair, and pushed back his heavy
hair from broad white forehead.
" No. / didn't guess they dealt in such
a commodity in this quiet place" said
Blanche.
"Perhaps it isn't local news" sug.
gested Louise, idly winding some bri Int
worsteds, while Redmond Clarke noticed
the contrast between the glowing colOrs
and her snowy fingers.
Yes, it is local news with a ven
geance. A prophecy uttered by a seer
sixty years ago regarding this town is on
the eve of fulfllment."
"Please explain" said both, with
growing interest.
"To-,norrow night this hotel, known
as the Cocassett House, and a space Of
two miles from it, in all directions in
cluded, is to sink, and instead of the in
habited village, the morning sun is tC
rise over broad expanse of water, which
has covered the doomed inhabitants"
"Pshaw" said Louise, impatiently.
ave were unfortunate in our selec
tion of place to rusticate," pursued
Redmond, watching Louise closely, with
out seeming to do so. "We came her,
to escape being bored by fashionable 80
ciety. II we are swallowed up by tn,
miniature food aforesaid, society will
be rid of us, which would be loss OIL
both sides"
"Perhaps we had better pack ou
trunks and leave on the strength Of thi
threatened danger" said Louise, will
n quiet sarcasm.
"SuppOse we make n short visit t
Ashdale and return-if the place ye
stands-when the dangerous period ha
passed." said Blanche.
"There is the dinner bell," and tn
} conversation ended somewhat abruptly
The trio descended to the quiet, coo
dining room, and took their seats at tn
table.
'It is said that the first part of tn
prophecy has been literally fulfilled"
gentleman was saying as they entered
awe may reasonably expect the rest t
be true"
"What are the circumstances, said
middle aged lady. 81 have heard onl
the last part OF the story"
'T will tell you. Sixty years ago
traveller stopped here at hotel wher
/ this one now stands, and engaged boar
and lodging Tor a fortnight. But th
first morning he made his appearance
with a face white with horror, and in
: formed the landlord that he coul
, not stay as he first intended. He nal
. rated that during the night it had bee
uniolded to him herrid murder ha
been perpetrated within the walls OF tn
,, building a short time past, and that 8
: a curse, all the children afterwards Dor
3 here should die in infancy Further
, that a new hotel should be erected o
: the site of the one then standing. in fit
years, and in sixty years the hotel an
part OF the guilt should be engulied, as
further lenthenipg out of the curse"
"The middle>aged lady looked muc
|, impressed.
"All this happened where we no
|. are"
!. "Yes, the C0cassett House now stanC
e on the spot where the dire prophecy W,
: uttered, and we now wait anxiously f
= the final contamination"
& "Have they made allowance in the
}. reckoning for leap Year, Aippant y i
j ouired youth who sat opposite Il
g serious gentleman.
"You should not Jest under Il
shadow of a great calamity" said Il
!. fir-t impressively, regarding the youtl
fulunbeliever severely through sglasst