Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-31

and only her three girls friend. to help
keep things straight.
1t was ten o'clock. Jerrod Bruce had been
gone SIX hours. Supper was over lsng ago,
and great basket Of apples had suf-
fered numerical dminution. A gallon
bucket full of chsstnuts had
not been neglected. The girls had been
chatting and laughing and eating, but some
somewhat silent. All four started little
as the shutter on the upstairs left front
room closed with furious bang. That
room was little ghOstly. II had seldom
been opened since old Peter Bruce had died
there thirty years ago-and died by yio-
lence.
Your great grandfather was mur-,"
began Grace Stanley, but Kate Bruce
checked her with a gesture.
Now, Grace, | won't have it. | really
can't Granda is past issue. He was
AL right in his day. and |
honor his memory most awfully,
don't you know; but must actually decline
to discuss him or his the manner OF his
death on such a creepy night as this-and
we all alone, too"
"Itwas q long time ago, wasn't it?" asked
Bess, musingly.
'Oh, regularly B. c., you know-posi-
lively Of the silurian period" returned
Kate, with rather forced merriment and
noticeable abruptness. He was x that
is, he died Oct 30, 1885, thirty years ago
why-why-girls just thirty years ago this
very night. Oh, dear''-and the four drew
their chairs nearer together for mutual
protection. Their faces paled . little,
and the next instant as sharp
gust swept down the chimney and wrung
an almost human cry from the throat Of the
| tiue, and scattered the ashes ali over the
hearth, the four girls Jumped to their feet
by common instinct, and with difficulty sup
pressed quartette Of shrieks.
A painful, strained silence ensued for a
minute, and then Nell Wsyland broke into
short and almost hysterical laugh.
We're pack Of idiots, solemnly be-
| lieve," she said. Kate, | wonder what
your papa would think II he saw us now?
Nonsense. For my part, I'm hungry" and
she proved it by biting into a very rosy
rambo.
The rest of the girls followed her exam
pie. They were young, and the apples
were good and the fire was bright. Lets
saIE ~ sornathipg Iasa ar .bjvary an,
treated Bess Parker.
And they made brave effort to. They
champed down the apples, valiantly paus'
ing on the chewing ever now and then u
listen furtively at some noise outside.
Who's seen Will DenIey today" asked
Grace, suddenly.
II haven't" chorused the rest in {
breath. Why"
''Oh, l only wondered. He passes oul
house nearly every day, and he didn't to
day."
How do you know? Did you keep .
Lookout for him." asked Kate, with q wild
accent Of trump and another note in hel
voice that was hard to translate.
Il? No, indeed. Will Denley is mo-
my kind. don't admire dissipated foppery
even in a village where there is nobody
else. l simply asked. But am silenced
| am snubbed."
Your nothing of the kind" said Kate
kissing her with rash wastefulness of raw
material. II don't like Will Denley
either, but he does to occupy the time. Tn,
rest of the boys are so slow, don't you
know"
Nell and Bess burst into wild, derisiv,
and rather throaty laughter at this. 1t wa.
that kind Of merriment that is deliberately
designed to indicate the most diametrica
doubt in a statement just made.
Don't tell usr' said Nell, with meanin.
emphasis.
Not this evening"" added Bess, will
latter day eloQuence
Kate was silent-whether from pique o
q tacit acknowledgment of the unexpresset
accusation. Denley had come to the villag,
two months b efore-s self-possessed, easl
fellow, a good talker. a good dresser. II,
had created an immediate sensation. Hi.
clothes alone would have done it, but h,
had other points beside the poetry in tht
way his coat set, and the melody Of colo
in the shade of his neek-wear He anC
Kate had met the first week of his coming
He had asked himself to call. She hac
asked him to continue. Jarrod Bruc.
never worried himself about his daughter.
friends, either from village simplicity o.
paternal confidence. Denley seemed to hav,
no trade or profession. Once when tn,
minister had spoken about an abstruse poin
in theology, Denley had discussed it with
yigor and intimacy. Kate had become con
fused over Chopin nocturne which
lCouldn't sound right on the cabinet organ
Denley had found her in her perplexity anC
played il at sight-the first and last time h,
ever touched the organ. He had walked
with Kate Bruce in the moonlight. anC
talked TO her with the courtesy and delicacy
OF born nobieman. He haG
never touched her hand, OF whi,
pered word that might have
caused her heart to beat more quickly. His
attentions, though maTkeS. were quietly
unpersonal He had not dazzled the girl
He had rather held himself aloof. This
great magnificent Juno Of a girl loved this
man-this unknown, with his smooth ways
his backward self-assertiveness to coin q
term.
Did she know it? Did he know it? Did
old Jerrod Bruce know it as he logged
home that night, with the wind screaming
in his face.
Will Denley or not" said Kate Bruce
suddenly, and with suspicious gaiety.
! ie A all