The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-12-16
HUMPHREYS BELL:

Mr.. Giles was seated alone in the
tap-room of St. Agnes inn, with his
feet on q table and half-filled mug of
ale in his hand. He was looking
through the open door at the fading
sunlight and wishing some thirsty GUS
toner would come up and drop few
shillings into his till. When about
finishing his ale a sound of footsteps
without caused him to remove his feet
from the table and assume q more bus
mess like attitude by standing with his
hands behind his back and an indiffer-
ent look on his face, as though indie
pendent of the entire world.
"Good even ng, Mr.. Giles" said tho
newcomer.
Good evening. Parker. good eve
ming answered MIR. Giles. "Come in.
What will you have. and what is the
news?'
''Ale, Giles, and bit of cheese. You
ask for the news; then you haven't
heard ito'
mot whit What is it?'
''Silas Humphrey
''What of hlm?' asked Mr.. Giles.
"Dcud."
''Deal?"
Eyes. dead' repeated Mr.. Parker,
as he brought his hand down on the
table with emphasis, as though driving
the last nail into Silas Humphreys
coffin.
"When?' asked Giles.
''rwo hours and half ago."
MANY secret dies within him."
said Mr.. Giles, shaking his head in a
mysterious manner.
titles, what do you mean?''
Nothing" was the unsatisfactory
answer.
1t must be something
mo matter, no matter" replied
Giles. What did he do with his
money!
ale divided it ar, ing some kinfolks
In Wales; all excepting one hundred
pounds
whats that for?'
The good of the parish" answered
Mr.. Parker.
Heaven help the parish them
what DO you mean, Giles? want
to know what you mean
Nothing. Parker, nothing. What's
that money for?''
'For a bell to put in the vacant
tower of st. Agnes church."
lit will never ring aught but death
knell.' said Mr.. Giles in sepulchral
voice.
Give me an explanation to your
words Mr.. Giles. demand it. What
do you mean?'
That the parish must not touch the
money"
.Why?"
because it's cursed, say"
Cursed, Giles! Was that the word?"
Eyes. cursed-every penny. 1t will
How cursod?' asked Parker.
There is blood, red blood on it,
II don't understand.
"Theve is a great deal you don't un-
derstand. A vast. great deal, Mr..
Parker. But tell you, will not en-
ter the church if bell purchased with
silas Humphreys money is ever hung in
its tower"
"You are wrong. Giles. You are too
oOVSAS VIZ AAiOSS "AO Iudy AdVC UCCu y
little wild few years back. but lately,
you know, he has been a sober and we'll
behaved man."
Il know it. I know it. And know
q deal more.'
'What is the matter with you. Giles?
There's something on your mind, and
say out with it like man.
':Parker.'
"What, Giles?'
DO you remember the great num-
Der of rohberies which were committed
twenty years ago on the very road
which lies before this house?'
Eyes"
Aud the murders?'
''Ycs.'
who was the robber?'' asked Nh.
Giles.
Il don't know"
"Who was the murderer?''
II don't know"
Il do" said Giles.
''Who?''
Before answering, Mr.. Giles looked
all about the room, and then sinking
his voice to whisper, said:
''Silas Humphrey"
''Silas Humphrcy:' repeated Parker.
':How DO you know?'
s'Listen.' said Mr.. Giles, as he took
his astonished friend by the arm and
drew him nearer. "About four years
ago silas was in here alone, as you are
now, and had been drinking a great
deal, as you have not. He was talka-
tive, and so drunk he mistook me for
some one else-some companion Of
twenty years before and he talked
about robbery and MURDER
"Well?' put in Parker.
HE said he had been the leader of
the gang, continued Mr.. Giles, land he
kept referring to me to corroborate his
stories rs slough had been with him. :"
''Why haven't you told this before2'
Il didn't dare while Humphrey lived
Indeed no. My live wouldn't be worth
that pewter pot If I had. Silas was
too drunk to know what he said, and
didn't propose reminding him of it,
Il rather think he was so drunk he
imagined the whole thing" answered
Mr.. Parker.
"Think as you VIII. Parker. Think
Is you will. But vou will see. MIS-
chief, and mischief alone. will come out
Of that bell. have nothing more to
say about it, and will have nothing
to do w. it,
you are silly. Giles. Because S;las
Humphrey may have done wrong it is
no reason the church should not accept
the bell"
''Have your own way, Parker. Have
your own way. But tell you the mon
ey came through evil. and the bell will