Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-08
Gales and Skeifbes.
KETTLE Csssk,s nIslCLE.
BY AUsBURs TOwSEE.


Ctttly t1CtO y1oulG = Sttk 01VtStutS Oti HE
bros. and in a few minutes his soft, regu-
lar breathing showed that he had fallen
intnsa health-bringing, reviving slumber.
Recovering. Kanse refused to have any
thing To say TO Milicent. She esteemed
it freak, and humored it. He would
watch her when her face was t.Irned from
him with anxious and tender looks. that
were changed to cold and forbidding ones
when she approached him.
Three weeks after those three nights
they started on foot for their home, Ranse
always little in advance and never once
looking upon his wife. Not word was
spoken by either during their long and
tiresome walk
Once more at their hsme. and after a
brief rest. for they were both very weak
still silent-Milicent watched. with curl
0sity, some strange preparations on the
part Of her husband.
s He carried some suitable bedroom furn-
ifure from one portion of their house into
that where had been their best room"
and then. bringing from the shop some
nails and hammer. he nailed up the door
OF communication that had been cut be-
tween the two portions Of the building.
Ills labors finished. he stood upon the
doorstep os the portion wherein Milicent
sat. and. speaking IN her for the first time
NOT harshly. but with dignity and firm
ness-he called her by name.
She came to the door.
This IL your part of this dwelling
that Is mine. " he said. designating them
by slight motion of his head.
what is il, Van Rensselaer, ?" Milicent
asked. showing a little alarm in her voice.
IL =. g. L
was the reply. IL shall never enter your
portion Of the house. You must never
enter mine. ask no explanation. no ex-
cuse. no Bothing-only silence. We are
divorced, except that all have shall be
more than divided with you and them.
blight years ago took you-an orphan
from Farmer Skaters. where You were a
slave to the whole family, from the latest
born 10 the half crazy old grandmother.
Where could you go. deserted and humbl-
edP ] promised to protect you. and !
will,'
was talking, but he hushed her with an
Imperative gesture.
Il As he turned to 90, she sprang out to-
ward him. with her arms outstretched.
lie repulscd her rudely. and. lifting her
by the arm. carried her into the house and
closed the door upon her.
She sank upon the floor. frightened. and
weeping Historically.
Ranse walked out Of the yard and on
down toward his shop. 1t was cold and
gloomy there. The fire was gone out in
the forge. but not more completely ex-
tnguished than the fire in his heart.
fIe raked up the ashes, then laid away
the hammer and nails; and then, rs If
moved by mighty impulse he sank on
his knees by the side Of his anvil.
His uttcrance was checked with sobs and
his frame quivered. Had any one been
listening. he could have caught hut five
words. repeated over aud over again;
.'Give me strength, D Lord Give me
strength. y Lord ~
Sleigh-bells jingling over horse driven
with considerable rapidity, and. passing
within rod of Ranse. carried their meas
ure of sound to his ear. but did not inter
rupt what. without exaggeration. might
he termed his agony; but they brought
him his relief
He rose from his knees strong in spirit
and composed. and. once more taking his
hammer in his hand. he returned toward
his home.
lie looked up the street Standing
hitched to his post was a horse and sleigh
that he recognized.
His calmness and composure forsook
him instantly. The new Rsnse disap-
peared as though it had never been; the
old Ranse returned
He shut his teeth tightly together. and
there spread over his face that black look
that, his companions said always came
when some more than ordinarily wicked
deed was TO be accomplished.
lie stopped moment then turned and
went back to his shop.
The half Of the blade of scy,hc. with
u handle attached to it. hung behind one
IT the joists. He took it down and felt
for its edge from heel to point. His heavy
eyebrows settled down over his eyes. and
the corners of his mouth turned up with
wicked lecr.
Carrying the horrible weapon in his
hand, he went again up the street toward
the house. with the old stride that charac-
terized him. The horse and sleigh still
stoodat the post. Four or five strides
brought him to the door. which he rough
" eashed open with his foot.
he entered the room.
Milicent. weeping rs though her heart
was breaking. sat in low chair. LEANING
her head upon the table. On either side
OF her, a few feet removed, sat two men,
One was the Reverend S. o. Sly. and the
other an elderly gentleman. The garb of
both bespoke their calling. They hastily
arose at Ranse's sudden entrance.
He placed himself between hi, wife and
Mr.. Sly. With his right hand he slightly
raised the wicked tool. with his left he
pointed toward the door he hal left open.
and his eyes fairly burned as they looked
upon the reverend visitor.
There was n dignity and vet fierce
physical desire in his attitude. like that of
y man who felt that he had been wronged
and who was eager to right himself II
his wife had stirred. it is certain that he
would have struck at once.
That same rapid communication in the
village seemed TO have been at work
again. announcing the presence of MIR,
Sly. II was singular how many persons
were called in the direction OF Loops
house. One on his way to the corner
stopped; another joined him. and thence
forth they seemed to spring mp from the
earth Il was like an act in drama. The
door stood wide open, and every ones
laudible curiosity could be sbundantly
gratified.
.