River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-07-11

face darkened as he looked ar the tide of
people. Whatever's a fellow to do9'
Winding up his discourse thus abruptly,
my friend pulled his hat down over his
eyes, and glowered from under it like a
highwayman
I listened to this talk of Dicks, HUI
inflated and i'll at ease. Was |, then, a
mere aimless waif-a mere hit of drift
wood afloat in this human torrentg even
aunt Margery's chatting and Gliding were
better than this nothingness. began to
feel very weary. Il remembrance of my
quiet room and of the blosoming apple
bough that hung over the window came
to me vision like.
"Dick," said /, abruptly I'm going
back
.'All right, little one, patting me pat
ronizingly on the shoulder the very
best thing you can do"
"Not to stay, Dick, said /, vexed at
the alacrity with which he accepted the
proposition. "No; I've an idea in my
head"
''Look so,n responded Dick, sententi-
ously.
.'Dick, listen to authoritatively.
81 shall sleep at Nurse Catterby's to-
night, and if you meet me there, I'll
have something to help you"
"My darlingw cried Dick: but re-
PEELED this later exhibition of affection.
"Put me in the cars, my friend; I'm
hungry, you know, but there's no time 70
lose.n
In my feminine fertility of resource
fell myself infinitely superior to this
helpless, good hearted-lump of Dick,
and nodded my head to him gayly at
parting, without thought of failure.
In my room at Aunt Margery's there
hung grand old-fashioned tlme-keeper
with gold coin attached to its heavy
chain, and big seal wherein glowed a
ruby Secretly | regarded this as my
own, for it had once been my mothers,
an heirloom of the family the source OF
endless disputes, as l had heard between
the grasping elder sister and the younger.
NY mother was of high spirit, and fin
ally. in fit of utter WEAKNESS and vexa-
ton, flung the watch, with all it glitter
ing appendages, at her sisters feet.
Aunt Margery had never returned it
that was not her way-but it had never
been wound up since that day, and long
after my mothers death it hung silent
and shining in the room devo'ed to nay
use-perhaps superstitious offering to
the vexed spirit of the departed. had
determined to go back without being
seen, if possible, and get this watch, APP
propriating it. as felt sure my mother
would approve, to aid myself and my
friend in our sore need.
The ride seemed long one; the road
wound about in manner | had never
observed before, with persistent dodg-
ing at the end, that gave me ample time
for revolving ways and means for carry
inc out my scheme, till finally the moon
shone out on the last evolution; and leav-
ing the cars I trudged on afoot until the
sentinel pop.ars guarding Aunt Margerys
gate with their long black shadows came
in view.
1t was with beating heart, notwith-
standing my bravery, that | took the key
Of the side door from my pocket. and en-
tered the familiar domicile at night-fall
like shadow.
1t was easy enough to obtain access to
| the inner part the house from here, Tor
most of the doors were carelessly latched
| and | was not likely to meet any servant
at this time in the evening. | remem FER
| a certain vide window-sill IN the hall.
| proping toward which | sat down TO rest
| myself. with curiously scared and
hunted feeling, which had not entered in
to nv calculations when | planned this
audacious expedition Then, removing
| nv shoes, I slipped softly through the
| long deserted passageway to my own
rooom. The door opened with treach-
erous creak that seemed bent to betray
me- It-appeared an age before was
fairly within.
This was my own pretty, pleasant little
room, the shelter where / had so often
betaken myself from Aunt Margerys
rasping voice and incessant fault finding
where had dreamed dav-dreams and
revelled in nightly visions. This cher
ished and familiar little nook had chill
ed to me in one days absence.
1t had given possession to a horde OF
shadows that, hooking and gesticulating,
/ fitted to and fro in the uncertain light.
Perhaps the breeze blown branch es OF the
elm outside played me this trick: but it
confused me strangely, and rendered my
search for the watch long one, I'LL It
seemed as if some tricksome elf bad
filnched it to distress me. AT length,
! however, my hand touched and grasped
the treasure; the heavy chain glided with
snaky GOODNESS through my fingers, and
| l thrilled from head to foot with new
| and strange sensation. For at that very
moment | heard the door shut with a
/ snap. This noise in itself was not start
/ ling; no one was likely to hear it save
myself; but it announced that was trap
ped, prisoner, shared Ii my own net
| for the door closed with spring, and |
had left the kew on the outside.
| put my two hands to my head and
thought desperately for moment.
There was 70 possible egress now except
through Aunt Margery's room, with
which mine was connected by narrow
passage. How could | hope to pass
through without waking herr For just
one instant | felt like despair. How was
| | to help Dick nowl 1t must be done
however. | gathered up my courage; |
remembered the indignities had borne,
| the needs of my friend, the absolute
rightfulness of what / was dong, and,
strong in my resolution.g lided across the
silently, slowly, lest the ghost OF
football should rouse the vigilant sleep
ers within. There was something dread
i full in this, after all. This strange adj
vent among familiar things that look on
the intruder with sinister eyes is not a
desirable experience. True, / was on
mission If mercy; but this fact failed to
support me as / stood poised on my
Aunt's door SILL A weak minded doubt
/ fitness creeping in for moment parai-
lied my activity. This bauble had been
in Aunt Margery's possession for years.
Was it mineS was it hersG The sacred
rights of property" l had heard talked
of so often: were my mothers, sacred, or
nv aunt's? All! what would become OF
ali the nrnnerty in the world if righlful-