The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-18


/ meaning curiosity.
Which do YOU think I ought to do first
Miss Curiosity2' I said
+ Go down the mine,' she answered.
promptly; then you could change those
i things, and do your accounts comfortable
ike
upon my word, Annie" I said. there's 5
a world of wisdom in that pretty little head
of yours"
lput my arm round her shoulders-gave
/ her a kiss-at which my aunt and uncle
laughed delightedly.
Goodnight all!' said again Annie,
| shall take your advice, and go straight
down the miner And was of.
had gone only a little way, when sud
denly remembered that certain account books
which should need that night were in my
room at the cottage. Ikesitated moment
then | turned back to get them. 1t was
growing rather dark: but that was of little
| consequence to me. since l could have walk
eti every step of the way biindiolded, and
for the descent into the mine, daylight was
of little use
So | strolled slowly back, enjoying my pipe
/ and the freshness of the evening air, and
when l reached the cottage it was quite dark.
/ paused before the kitchen window, which
was open, for the night was sultry, and look
ed in.
My aunt and uncle still sat in much the
same position they hid occupied when | left
! them, but Annie was gone. | was about to
put my head in at tie window. and acquaint
them with my return, when heard the men,
ton of my OWN name.
Yes, said my aunt nodding her head, II
ha' watched 'em. and / know Annie favors
! Hugh, if ever any lass favored a lad"
Well. l do hope you'm right Martha, old
gal, my uncle returned. "He be a good lad,
and shall be glad to call him my son.
heard no more-I felt like a man who
had received knockdown blow, and stag
gered under it bit Annie love me?-the
old people planning our marriage? 1t was
all so new II took me a time to recover. But
was it true? Were they right? Did my cous-
in really care for me? / glanced back ON all
the years we had been together, and con-
cluded that after all it might be possible
Certainly, Annie had given no very marked
evidence of her love; but then she was not a
demonstrative girl. A quiet lowering of the
eyeiids, little pink blush, were more in her
line.
And then of late she had sorely changed.
had noticed that, and wondered q bit; now
the meaning OF it seemed clear. Annie. nv
little cousin Annie, whom had ever regard
ed as sister and a child, had developed into
a woman and was capable of feeling wo-
mans love
My thoughts turned from Annie to myself:
began to anaIyze my own feelings. and to
pronounce upon them. Did | love Annie?
Yes, in one sense; no, in another. Yet my
affection for her was of that strong. deep
nature that L might have mistaken it for
love, if that one all-absorbing episode of my
coln I,af
er a lapse of years. the thought of Madeline
made my blood tinge in my veins, and my
heart beat painfully Of all this the old peo-
pie knew nothing; they had evidently made
up their minds that Annie and were exactly
suited to one another, and ought to be man
and wife. Whether or not | was glad or
sorry at this discovery | could not tell: my
feelings were a strange mixture which
could not analyZe.
Before L had time to think very deeply on
the subject, the kitchen door opened, and
Annie herself appeared on the threshold.
Though it was dark out of doors the light in
the kitchen showed her to me distinctly. She
wore long black cloak, which she folded
tightly around her shoulders; its hood cover
ed her head.
Il am going down to the village. [ shan't
be long" l heard her say, in answer to her
ing the kitchen door after her
She paused moment outside; then she
hurried away-I, rather aimlessly, following
her. She crossed the high road which led to
the village, and took instead a narrow foot
path which led by short cut to the mine
Wondering what could be taking her that
way, | continued to follow her.
She quickened her pace now, almost to
run. When she had got about halfway to
the mine, she turned OFF again, and fastened
along with increased speed toward GreystOck
Tower.
Greystock Tower was ruin consisting of
three diapidated UNCOVERED walls and a
buttresS; it stood on an eminence a few hun
dred yards from the seashore, and by the su-
perstitious inhabitants of the village was sup
posed to be haunted. Even Annie, / had
suspected till that night, shared in the popu-
lar belief. / was the more astonished, there
fore, to see her going toward it, alone, on a
dark night, and as if her very life depended
upon her speed.
Having reached the ruin, she paused, and
stood as if listening. There was Il dead 81
lence all round, broken only by the washing
of the sea. | crept up in the shadow of the
ruin.
Presently, heard peculiar whistle. An
ME said softly:
''Yes-I am here'' Then a figure, that of
man, emerged from the darkness and join
ed her.
My astonishment at all this was so great
that for a time | was utterly unable to move
but, from my shadowy hidingplace, watch
ed the pair. Who the man was, could not
tell. the darkness completely concealing his
features; but l saw that he was taller than
Annie, and that he was smoking cigar.
They stood close together, talking earnest
ly; but / could not catch a word of what they
said. Presently, they began to move away,
and | deemed it time to interfere.
In two strides | was between them-Annie
uttered scream, the man an oath. But he
stood his ground, and looked into my face.
1t was now my turn to utter an exclama-
ton. The man was young Redruth, the
master of the mine
The contreteInps was so complete that fol-
moment neither of US spoke. Redruth, be-
ing the coolest, was the first to speak.
What are you doing here, Trelawneygi
he asked, curtly.
Il am here to take my cousin home, sir, "
l replied.
''Indeed,' he sneered; Il should have
thought you were here to play the spyP'
Even that would be better than playing
the villain" / returned.
Here Annie,seeiBg a storm brewing, in
terfered.
Hugh, dear Hughr' she said, plucking al
my sleeve.
But young Redruth now stepped forward
Don't agitate yourself. Annie" said he
/ coolly. while 1 was ready to knock hin
| down. "And you, sir," he added, address
| ing me, ''stand on of the way; have busi
ness with this young lady, and l request yot
| to leave u.s.
'.And if l refuse?'
He raised small cane which he carried
/ and struck me across the shoulders. In q
moment had wrenched ii from his hand
and with one wellplanted blow / would
| have made him measure his length upon the
| ground. but, with another scream Annie
rushed forward and stood between us.
~ on shall pay for this, you scoundrelI 2
| said my master; and, without another word
be disappeared into the darkness.
Annie. still frightened and trembling
rushed forward to follow him. but in mo
/ ment was beside her.
you'll come with me- Annie said, tax
ing her hand firmly in mine.
By this time she WAS crying bitterly. "Oh
Hugh" she sobbed, what have you done
You will ruin US alI-yourself, father. anc
all of usr'
But | took no heed of her, l kept my holG
upon her and led her back across the mead
ows 10 the cottage
During the walk, no word passed between
us. | was SILENT expecting she wouli give
some explanation of the scene l had witness
ed; but as she volunteered none, / said moth
ing. When we reached the cottage gate, she
paused, and spoke.
"Hugh,. she said, you won't tell motae
or father
s.No, no. interrupted her. Don't fea
for me, but mean to look after you in ths
future, Annie"
Don't be hard on me,v Hugh" she said