The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-03-06
said Paul. bowling with great gravity
to the bride elect.

said Paul. bowling with great gravity
to the bride elect.
Yes, and so would she, too, I'll
warrant-eh! Lena?" rejoined the old
gentleman ~But come, Ichabod, talk
ing is dry work-let's have a mug Of
new cider. and dish OF those golden
pippins."
And in the enjoyment OF such good
farmer cheer an hour passed of. dur
ing which Paul joked Ichabod, and
exchanged many a sly glance with
demure Miss Lena. At length he
rose to depart. and shaking Mr.. Van
Tassel warmly by the hand, he next
held that OF the pretty niece rather
longer between his own than even
Ichabod thought necessary. and then
seizing the latter by both bony wrists
he griped them with such a tight and
friendly grip, that Ichabod, wincing
under the infiiction, exclaimed, as
Paul closed the door
Hang the fellow-he has heels and
paws like a bearl"
well, I'll to bed-it Is past nine
O'clock" said the elder Van Tassel.
@And so will 1, too" echoed Icha-
bod. Goodnight, Lena; remember
| New Year'sl" And both father and
son left the room.
Minutes rolled on, and still Lena
sat by the fire i'm what would seem a
species OF April day meditation, to
judge from the alternate sunshine
and shadows which fitted over her
countenance. The clock licked stead
lily on in its upright mahogany case,
the cricket chirped merrily in the
corner, and it was not until the de-
caying fire warned her Of the lateuess
OF the hour. that Lena prepared to re-
tire to her little bed room. As she
was about to leave the room, she was
startled by gentle tap at the win
dow-it was fortunate she do not
Think to scream, for almost at the
same instant a we'll known voice
WHISPERED:
1T Is only me, Lena" while, throw.
ing up the sash, me leaped in. in the
unquestionable shape OF Paul Brit.
ton."
Dear Paul, how could you be sc
imprudent?" exclaimed Lena.
I'VE will talk about that another
time" answered Paul Now, l wanl
to know what is 10 be done to put Of
this hated marriage?"
"Oh, Paul, what can L do? / new
eli, never will marry Ichabod, and ye
to distress my good old uncle-thui
TO disappoint his fondest hopes-in
deed, Paul, 1 cannot bear to thinl
Of it,"
If you will but help me, Lena,
have a project by which / am almos
certain that stupid clown will no
only refuse to marry you, but tha
your uncle will also give his consen
To our own union, dearest. What d,
you think OF such plan as thai
now?" cried Paul. dancing round tn
table aud swapping his fingers.
But how? In what way do yo,
expect to work such a miracle?"
That her lover would have satisfis
her curiosity, there is no doubt, bu
, at that Interesting moment, u ste
was heard in the passage. Pau
quickly sprung through the window
which Lena had softly, but hastil
closed. just as the door opened an
. Ichabod entered.
, "Why, Lena, are you up yet?" b
, exclaimed. -have you heard an
noises?"
, "None." answered Lena.
well. have, a very queer, buzzin
noise."
Perhaps 1t was me covering up th
, fire." said the naughty girl.
"No, guess more likely the foxe
have got into the hen -roost-Ill see
20 don't, Ichabodl" for reasons {
her own, cried Lena.
). "Yes / will, and IL / catch theI
there. I'll come back and get my gu
v iii shoot them"
"Oh, cousin. don't"
But Notwithstanding her entreatie
/. Ichabod broke away from her, opene
4 the door. aud stretching out his Ion
q neck, peered into the darkness.
, Something rushed violently pa
him, knocking his head with gre,
:. force against the door-post. while
;. hollow voice, close to his ear, cried:
"Buzz-z-zei"
"Oh Lordi Oh Lord! what's that
exclaimed Ichabod. paler than ashe
= sinking down upon the floor. Ar
now, although Lena knew very we
what 1t was, she never said wor
= but clasping her hands and utteIir
, hysterical laugh, fed from Il
room.
CHAPTER III.