Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-24
HUMPHREYS BELL.

through the open door ~ the fading
sunlight and wishing some thirsty Gus
toner would come up and drop few
shillingS into his till. When about
finishing hi, ale sound OF footsteps
without caused him to remove his feet
from the table and assume a more bus
mess Ike attitude by standing with his
hands behind his back and an indifler-
ent look on his face, as though indie
pendent of the entire world.
Good even ne. Mr.. Giles said the
newcomer.
Good evening, Parker, good eve
ming" answered Mr.. Giles. Come in.
What VIII YOU have, and what is the
news?'
"Ale. Giles, and bit of cheese. You
ask for the news; then YOU haven't
heard it?'
Not whit. What is it?"
"Silas Humphrey.
What OF him?' asked Mr.. Giles.
dead "
"Dead?'
Yes. dead" repeated Mr.. Parker,
as he brought his hand down ON the
table with emphasis. as though driving
the last nal into Silas Humphreys
coffin.
"When?' asked Giles.
1.-Two hours and half ago
''Many "A secret dies within him."
said Mr.. Giles, shaking his head in a
mysterious manner.
Giles. what do YOU mean?'
oil h. .. g.
answer
1t must be something"
mo matter. no matter" replied
Giles. What did he do with his
money!
He divided it among some kinfolks
in Wales; all excepting one hundred
pounds.
whats that for?'
The good of the parish" answered
Mr.. Parker.
"Heaven help the parish then. ="
What 90 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. -
at will never rng aught but death
knell. said Mr.. Giles in sepulchral
voice.
Give me an explanat on to your
words Mr.. Giles. demand it. What
do You mean?
THAT the parish must not touch the
moaey.
"Why?'
"Because it's cursed. saw"
"Curscd, Gilesi Was that the word?'
Yes, cursed-eycry penny 1t will
bring only mischief -
"How cursed?' asked Parker.
"Ihere Is blood. red blood on it,
81 don't understand.
"Ihere Is great deal YOU don't I'M
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
severe on Sias, who NAV have been
little wild few years back. but lately.
you know, he has been sober and we'll
behaved man. ="
81 know it. know it. And know
a deal more
What is the matter with YOU. Giles?
There's something on your mind, and |
say ont with 1t 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 housc?'
Yes
"And the nIurders?'
Yes
WHO was the robber?" asked Mr..
Giles.
II don't know"
"Who was the murderer"
81 don't know
IL do" sad Giles.
"Who?"
Before answering Mr.. Giles looked
all about the room. and then sinking
his voice to whisper, said:
"Silas Humphrey"
"Sias Humphreyr repeated Parker.
GLOW do YOU know?"
"Lissn,' said Mr.. Giles. as he took
his astonshed friend by the arm and /.
drew HIM nearer about four wears /
ago Sias was in here alone. as YOU are
now. and had been drinking a great
DEAL as you have not. He was talka- I
tive. and so drunk he mistook me for /
some one else-some compan. on of /
twenty years before and fe talked 4
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 4
stories as though had been with him."
'Whv haven't YOU told this bcfore?"
IL didn't dare while Humphrey lived.
Indeed no. Ny live wouldn't be worth
that pewter pot if | 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.
Tim - .ou W II. Parker Think
~ YOU Sil. Bnt YOU will see. MIS-