The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-12
CHAPTER v.-rHE BRIDES DowRY.

alone in the parlor-but apparently not very In
tent on the work that lay in her lap-threw her
sewing aside, and went swiftly up the stair.
When she reached the landing the dim moon
light in the passage showed her that the door
OF small storeroom there was just being opened;
and she knew that the dark figure issuing from
&c must be Alec Jameson. She caught him by
the arm.
'.Oh, Alec what has happenedr she said, in
frightened whisper. What is itl What has
happenedr
"Get light and see" he answered hurriedly,
but in an undertone. maybe your uncle has
had fit I'm going down TO the shore; I'll wait
for you there"
He disappeared. She had to return to the
parlor for candle; but her mind was so Devil
dered by wild forebodings that she seemed as
one dazed, and she could scarcely light the can
die for the shaking of her hand. Had the two
men metz Had murder been done in the
housel Was there some CHASTITY object lying
there in the safe rooni2 And yet Jameson had
declared to her that his first object was to keep
out of the way of her uncle, and had made the
most elaborate precautions for concealing him
self in the store-closet. However, she could not
were summons Whatever sight might be
awaiting her, to that dreaded saferoom she must
go.
She went quickly up the stair again. and had
Just reached the door, when she fancied she
heard stirring within. For a moment she
paused, as if to summon her courage together;
then she boldly opened the door and entered.
The next instant she had uttered sharp cry of
alarm.
''Uncle what is itl'
The old man was struggling to his feet white
faced, with staring eyes, and apparently speech
less. He seized her by the hand, and chung to
her; thenh daried quick terrified glance back
towards the iron chest in the recess; there was
nothing of an unusual kind visible there.
"Ailie-Ailie lass said he at length--and she
felt that he was trembling like reed, and was,
indeed, like to fall to the floor again-'dinna
leave me-iust bide here for a minute or two
I've had kind O. wakeness come DER me--but
III be all right in minute"
He stopped for want of breath.
'I1l go and fetch you something, uncle" said
she. ''Some brandy
SAY ay. brandy-brandy," he managed to
stammer out.
''rhen sit down for a moment, uncle, and I'll
bring it. Here, let me get you the chair"
mo, no, dinna leave me, Allie, lass-no no
wait minute, and I'll gang wi ye; ay, now, help
me bit. well get down to the parlor; there
now. that's good lass"
She gave him what help she could while she
held the candle aloft with her other hand; and
in this way they got down to the parlor, where
he sank helplessy into an armchair.
1.-THE brandy, now, Ailie it's kind O. wake
ness that came DER me-there's good lass"
For she had quickly gone to the cupboard and
poured some brandy into tumbler and brought
it TO him. With shaking hand he managed to
raise it to his lips, and take gulp of it. At the
same moment there was q noise without in the
passage--a servant lass was bringing along the
things for supper.
mo, no. he said, and he held up his hand as
if to forbid her entrance. $50 and tell her,
Allie, not to come in here-not yet-later on"
Alison went to explain to the girl that her
uncle was not yet ready for his supper. and while
she gone he kept muttering to himself
''They're against me-they're against me-and
the wise woman spoke of a gallows, too-what
has angered theml-but there's an end of that
now"
Alison returned and, though she bad no great
cause to testify solcitude about her uncle
whose treatment of her had been of the harshest
still he was in need of help and care and,
woman-like she busted herself about him, and
got pillow for his head, and made a hundred
little suggestions for his comfort
I've been an i'll man, Allie" he said. though
it almost seemed to her that he was talking to
himself, absent were his eyes. 'Tve done
wrong and HARM but surely the worst sinner
will find mercy and peace if he repents. There's
ave that Seek and We shall find The door is
aye open. The Lord is merciful--ay, even to
the worst Allie, lass, bring over the big Bible
to the table, and read me the Twenty third
Psaln-there's good lass"
"But will l not send for the doctor, unclel"
she said, quickly; for this calling for religious
consolation startled her.
mo, no; there's the doctor / want-peace and
mercy-peace and grace-the doors aye open"
So she went and got the Bible and laid it on
the table, and proceeded to read the Psalm that
he wanted. And as she read he followed her,
apparently repeating phrases from time to time,
with little comments of his own:
1.-THE Lord is my Shepherd-aye, that's right,
the Lord car save: what for would any one 60
away from Hint Yea, though walk
through the valley of the shadow of death-no
terrors, no terrors now / would be on the safe
yide-on the Lords side-and then who can
harmY Thou preparest table before
me'-ay indeed it's the Lords side that's
the safe side; no harm can come then; safety
only; and peace, and a quate mind.
Irvo1 - al exl.~ So
that's right; I'm obliged to We. Allie. lass. ye may
shut the book now; in the house of the Lord for
ever, that's where there's safety, that's the safe
side; in the house of the Lord forever"
When she had shut the big Bible and put it
back in its place. she returned to him. anxious
TO do what she could for him; and indeed those