Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-09-21
THREE BRAVE MEN.

Pretty Barbara icrron would not
marry Her mother was IN cOnster
nation
why are you stubborn. Barbara -
she asked. You have plenty Of
lovers
But they do not suit" SAID Bar
Lara, coolly tying back her curls
before the mirror.
Why not ?"
II want Ia marry man who is
brave. equal 81 any emergency If
give up my liberty want it taken
care 81 -
Silly chIld what IL the matter
with Big Barney, the blacksmith"
"lIc il big. hut never heard that
he was brave
And You never heard that he was
not. What is the matter with Earnest,
the gunsmlth"
III" il n placid as goats milk"
THAT IL no sign that he il cow
ard There IL little- Fritz. the tan
ncr; he il quarrelsome enough for
you. surely"
lie il no bigger than bantam
cock II Is little good he can do il
the house was set upon by rob
beers"
1t il not always strength that
wins fight, girl II takes brains
as well ~ Drawn. Come. now Bar
barn. give these young fellows fair
trial"
Barbara turned her face before the
mirror, letting down one raven tress
and looping up another.
Il will, mother" she said at last"
That evening Earnest. the gun
smith, knocked ut the door.
"You sent for me, Barbara" he
said, going to the girl, who stood
upon the hearth, coquetishly warm
ing one pretty foot and then the
other.
"Yes. Earnest" she replied. I've
been thinking Of what you said the
other night when you were here"
well, Barbara"
Ernest spoke quietly. but his dark
blue eyes flashed. and he locked at
her intently.
IL want-to test you"
"How2"
II want to see il you dare do a
very disagreeable thing"
What il il p
There is an old coffin mp stairs.
II smells mouldy. They say Red
mond, the murderer. was buried in
il; but tn, devil came for his body
and left the fin empty at the en,i
OF a week, and 1t was finally taken
from the tomb. 1t is up stairs in the
room grandfather died in, and they
say grandsire does not rest easy in
his grave for some reason, though
that / know nothing about. Dare
you make that coffin your bed to
night'"
Ernest laughed
rs that all7 l will do that and
sleep soundly. Why, pretty one
did you think had weak nerves.
Your nerves will have good proof
il you undertake it. Remember. nc
one sleeps in that wing Of the
house.
II shall sleep the sounder.'
"Good night, then, | will send a
lad 10 show You the chamber. II
You stay till morning. said the i'm
perious Miss Barbara. with nod OF
her pretty head, 81 will marry
you
You vow it?"
Ernes. turned straight away, and
followed the lad in waiting through
dim rooms and passages up echoing
stairs. along narrow damp ways,
where rats scuttled before to low
chamber The lad looked pale and
scared. and evidently wanted to
hurry away, but Ernest made him
wait til he took survey by the aid
Of bis lamp. 1t was very large and
full OF recesses. which had been
barred across. He remembered that
the old grandsire Ferron had been
insane for several years before his
death. 80 that this precaution-had
been necessary for the safety Of him
self and others In the center Of the
room stood a coffin, beside it stood a
chair. The room was otherwise per
fectly empty.
Ernest stretched himself out in the
coffin.
BE kind enough to tell Miss Bar
bara it is a very good fit" he said.
The hoy went out and shut the
door, leaving the young gunsmith
alone in the dark
Meanwhile Barbara was TALKING
with the big blacksmith in the sit
ting room.
Barney" said she. pulling her
hand away from his grasp. I've a
test to put you to before / give you
an answer There Is a corpse lying
in the chamber where my grandsire
died, in the enchanted wing Of the
house. If you dare sit with it all
night and let nothing drive you
away from your post you will not
ask me again in vain"
You will give me light and
bottle OF wine and book to read"
Nothing"
Are these al the conditions YOU
can offer me, Barbara
"All. And II you are frightened
you need never look ma in the face
again"
So Barney WAS conducted t. his
post 10y the lad. who had been in
structed in the secret. and whose
involuntary start at Ernest's placid
face as he lay in the coffin was
attributed by Barney to the natural
awe Of corpse He took his seat
and the boy left him alone with the
darkness. rats aud the coffin.
Soon after. young Fritz. the tan
her. arrived, hattered and hopeful