The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-03-06
face, you lodged. and in dodging you
knocked your ear?"
but the nOisel"

DuI the NOISE!
"Why, that was only the buzzing
in your own brain at the conclusion"
Ichabod shook Lis head incredu-
lously, made no reply. but after sip
ping his coffee, took down his hat.
and without speaking, left the house.
He sauntered moodily on down the
lane, never lifting his head, or taking
any note OF the charming scene about
bim. 1t was a lovely morning for the
season-a silvery haze spread itself
over the landscape. softening and
beautifying every object.
Ichabod had not proceeded far,
wren who should he see coming up
the lane but Paul Britton. He now
fastened his pace, and stopping his
friend, related with rueful face and
truth proclaiming ear. the occurrence
OF the last night.
Paul listened with a very grave
countenance.
very strange! very singular!" he
muttered. Did you say 1t was mid
night?"
"No. don't think it was so late,"
replied Ichabod. Il had been asleep,
though, when 1 first heard the noise"
"Em-em-em SINGULAR
Father and Lena, however. per-
sist in saying 1t was nothing but a
bati'
a batl Ha! ha! ha! batl what,
and leave such a mark as that?"
Then with a most incredulous look.
he added. but it might have beenl"
Then. you don't really think it
was. do your" asked Ichabod.
"Hem-I wish / did!"
"wby. what do you think 1t was?"
Paul shook his head three times,
solemnly-fOlded his arms over his
breast-compressed his lips, elevated
his eyebrows, and beat the devils
tattoo" as it Is called, with his foot
upon his frosty leaves.
"What do you think 1t was?" again
demanded Ichabod.
II should be 10th to say" rashly re-
piled Paul. in deep bass voice, sal
though my mind is made upl"
"Why why what you don't
think it was"
A ehost!" said Paul, solemnly.
"A ghostI"
There Is no one near, is there?"
continued Paul, looking around
among the trees, because there are
so many would be sensible people in
the world. who, like egregious fools,
deny the existence of-you under
stand-that 1 would not be overheard
on any account-now. my dear friend,
he added. drawing close 10 the gap
ing Ichabod, and speaking in a whis-
per, "I am not ashamed to own TO
you (you are sure nobody hears) that
am not 30 skepticall"
The eyes OF Ichabod expanded
wonderfully.
did it eyer strike you that al
ways leave your house uncommonly
early ?" asked Paul.
Che fellow never left until abso-
lutely hinted away)
why. n-o-yes," replied the com
plaisant Ichabod.
II thought you had; and now III
tell y,u the reason" and here Pau
whispered something in the ear ol
Ichabod, which set him shaking like
an aspen leaf-thsn added. "you
know the story!'
".Ye-s-and then you think 1t wa:
the ghost OF the murdered Won Gel
son that heard and felt last night 7
Il have no doubt OF it, my pool
, friendp
"But why should he appear to me 2
AYE. there's the mystery" replied
> Paul. then, pacing back and forth To-
I some moments, In deep thought, he a
length approached Ichabod. and TAX
ing him by button OF his coat, sid
"You must excuse my frankness
my friend. but tell me. had you eve
any reason to doubt the love OF Leni
in short. do you think she is equal.
/ as desirious of the marriage as your
2 self?"
why. you know, girls always ac
t contrary" replied Ichabod, 81 gues
t she likes me, though she never toll
D me So"
did she ever say she did not?"
why, yes, to be plain with yor
I" she has told me more than once ths
], she didn't want to marry me--bu
4 then, father says that's woman's way
1 and 1 must not mind her!"
J, "Ah! that's it-that's It'll / hav
9 found it out nowp exclaimed Paul.
Q Found out what?" cried the puz
zled Ichabod.
THAT it's a warning-a warning
My dear friend. pity you-you kno'
Il the story-the unwilling bride muI
q dered her bridegroom It's warn
9 ing. Good heavens. my friend, pit
you!" And having given his rivs
r. this "bitter fancy" TO chew, Pat
n walked rapidly away.
Poor Ichsbod moved through mist
and shadows that day; he scarcel
darad To afir lest fha nhnSf Of Va