The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-03-21

not thought Annie would care to meet him again, but she greeted him kindly, even cordially, as an old friend who had been long absent, rather than as a re- jected suitor and as the sun rode higher in the heavens and winter passed Harry's visits became almost as frequent as ever.
 Annie did not receive him on the old footing, and 1 think Harry never spoke of love but it was clear he had not given her up, and that he was trust ing to time and patience to win the heart so wholly given to another.
 When the days softened, Annie began again to take walks with Harry, and sometimes fancied her manner toward him was even more gentle and consider ate than it had ever been before. So one night, after Harry had left us, spoke to Annie about the increasing intimacy. We are never alone, you know, Tom,' said Annie in reply.
 " Never alone Certainly you were alone together on the cliffs to-nightp exclaimed.
 "'Oh, no ? said my sister-'Arthur is always with us. He wishes me Ato see Harry. When ask him why he wishes 1t he always answers that will know when l go to the old bell-tower with
 Harry. And am so curious to know what Arthur has to say at the old bell tower, Tom. He often says to me that after we have been there together we will never part again.
 "There was bright moonlight that night, and Annie must have noticed a look of pity on my face, though I strove to hide my thoughts from her, for she went on, Do yon, too, think me mad, Tom! You see me every hour in the day; you know am not mad. It is true l see Arthur with me; at first saw him only in my day dreams now l can sec him whenever l wish he is always near me, l think. o, Ton, she added, T should never sec Harry if Arthur did not wish it; he asked me to go with Harry to the bell-tower tonight. but Harry said we could not have the keys of the sexton after dark. We are to go some daytime. l wonder what Arthur has to say to me there.'
 |" It was clear to me at last that my poor, gentle sister was as they all said-mad, indeed. took her in my arms and kissed her. As l did so 1 could not help noticing the firmness and fullness of her figure, and the perfectly healthful touch of her hand. q really think you grow stouter, dear sister, said l.
 "' 1 think so, too,' said my sister, with a smile; why should l not! Am not perfectly we'll and happy2 How strange 1t is, Tom, that you, who see me every day, and know my every thought, can think me ill-in any wayr"
 So we parted for the night.
 "Next day but one was May-day, and late in the afternoon Annie and Harry and myself strolled out to the green in front ot the old church, where the sports were. Annie had a wreath upon her head never had seen her appear so gay. so charming, or SO beautiful. Others thought the same, and as l stood 2 little distance from my sister and her lover caught more than one low spoken word limiting that Annie had worn the willow sufficiently long, and that Harry was hadsome enough te make any maid forget truant lovers faithlessness.
 Annie led Harry up to me. am begging this disobliging friend to go to the bell tower with me- said my sister, looking with a smile into Harry's dark, handsome face.
 "' But the keyr said Harry.
 "Here comes the sexton now,' said Annie, gaily. He will not refuse it to me, l know, and l shall hear brave story there, I'm sure of that. Come, Tom and hear it with us.'
 will keep you company and unlock ,he door, said the burly sexton. This key has never left my hand for another's, Master Harry, and cannot, even for so lair one as your sweetheart's.'
 "As we four walked to the old bell 'ower, heard one passing say, She's mad again-see her eyes, how they stare
 looked at Annie's face and saw she had passed into one of her day-dreams, put her expression was that of supreme happiness and satisfaction. Her hand vas clasped close on Harry's arm, and he was laughing loudly at something the sexton said as the key turned in the lock. several little groups of idlers moved to- ward the tower as the door opened. Annie entered first, with Harry following ,lose behind, and came next, and as entered the door, felt something pass me and the lintel, and Harry turned pale and hesitased. The dlers filled the doorway behind us. Annie put her hand upon Harry's arm again, though her fixed eyes did not turn oward his face. Come here with me Harry Hobby said Annie's sweet, low 'oice; Come and stand with me in the middle of the broad stone which covers ny foully murdered bodyp
 "She is madp gasped Harry as a 'weat stood out in beads on his face.
 " She is not mad,' said Annie's voice | lgain, nor is she speaking. It is l, Ar hur Pen6eld, speaking to you once nore, Harry Hobby, on the spot where 1ou murdered me the night when you tood here and tolled the passing bell for | he soul of old John Seacliffe. Leaving he cottage where the old man sat in his | hair, came here, curious to know what 'ne among the villagers had passed | way. You approached me with a | friendly greeting, and struck me down l; hen with the sexton's pick, which you l