The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-03-30
A AHUSBAND'SCROWN

A AHUSBAND'SCROWN
Our autocrIt had changed s:rcc we IS:
described him. lie stopped ..:..e. he
grey pyramid OF hair had grown lar and
Inclined 10 topp!c forward. The double
chin was fast failing away; and The white
tu!t thereon pinned IN vain for tie cars
seS OF It's owner. Even the a.je::EAnis
corporation exhibited symptoms OF
dI>.oyal intention 10 follow the example
of tie dOublc-chiu.
The fox was snawing at the vitals of
the Spartan.
Come, VIC are getting miserally
qIict,' said Mr.. Davenport, at leur.k,
after 4 mouTntul attempt Ia be Snr:ctrv.
Miss Raymond, | have not vet had the
p.e.tsurc OF hearing YOU play 1t would
he charity To give us little music u
cuIvcn this QuakCrs' meeting. | am
sure you must think we are very dull
!O.ks here
Kate never felt more disinclined TO
touch the piano. But, in her position, 10
hear was 10 obey. She ratified off a few
brilliant trIilcs. and then the charm of
the instrument she loved asserted its
power over her. She played, with ex-
fuIsitc expression, some selections from
MoZIrt's divine compositions.
Mr.. Van Blarcom had risen and placed
himself besides the piano, looking down
upon her with the same strange, new
light in his ewes that had caused her TO
shrink from his glance ut table.
"May we beg for song?" he inquired
presently, III what was very gentle tone
for him.
Without replying, she struck a few
melodious chords, and sang in sweet,
pathetic voiCe-that went at once TO the
hearts OF her listeners, the following
simple verses
My parting kiss abide with thee,
For dearly 10 ! treasure thine,
And guarl it-ah, A. faithfully
A. thou wilt lovingly guard mine
So when We mect-thOuSh parted now
III give thee back thy Kiss once more,
Tn>ullied and untouched while thou
Mine own shalt then again restore
Ny parting Kiss abide with thee,
And from 1t Hope shall forge bond
To link our hearts more tenderly,
To Scc0 each cherished memory fond
The night must wane, and morn unfold
Her beams in Yet 4 little while,
And patient love will then behold
The Kiss redeemed with tear and smile
"Beautiiul!' exclaimed everybody in
breath.
you are indeed 4 charming acquisition
q our circle, Miss Raymond added Mr..
Davenport.
lie was grateful tothe fair singer. The
oft strains had soothcd him. He was
conscious that the skeletons had rctreated
q a respectful distancc-behind the win
low drapcrv, most likely. But they still
sept p.cpiu- out from among the shadows
mt gTiuUiuE hideOUsly.
Bv-and-bvc Mr.. Van Blarcom strollel
mt 10 smoke 4 cigar on the lawn, and
dr Davenport, with his secretary. retired
o the library 70 look over some CORE
-ponlcuce. The two girls were thus left
TO their own society.
Edith inquired the other, you have
had nay room prepared rs close as passi-
blr to the apartments of Ny CheCkctts?'
"Nys, dear. You will be exactly OPP
poSitr them
And no one can pass in or out with
out my hearing 2'
Il think not-that Is, when you are
awake"
Il shall be awake
"Do YOU not like that man.
NO" answered Kate, decidedly; 81 do
not"
"And-and Mr.. Van Blarcom ,"
"StiIl less. He inspires me with
feeling I can hardly describe, unless 1
call it lear"
Il thought he seemed TO admire YOU.
| never saw him more agreeable to a lady
bcforc-nOt even me. But | am not
Jealous" smiled Edith.
Il would far sooner have his indiffer-
Cncc than his admiration exclaimed
Kate. warmly. Il may be prcjudiced;
lint ] never hcheld 4 man whom / dis
liked more on a first acquaintance Oh,
Edith, what difference there is between
ann and ReInald!'
'Ah!' calculated Edith, with kind OF
gasp.
Women alwavs have drawn and alwavs
viii draw comparisons; it is il thei;
nature. And our two herOines we boast
two, YOU see), being but women after all,
COutTivcd 10 diSS.Ct the moral, intel
lcctugl and physical characteristics OF
The two gentlemen with considerable in
=, nuitv, very much-need II he said -
10 the disadvantage of Mr.. Van BlarCOm.
As the sisters retired TO rest that evening,
Edith pointed TO door at the end OF
corridor
That she whispered, "leads by
flight OF steps to the terrace. 1t is but
rarely used. ] have withdrawn the bolts,
50 whcn,ve YOU wish YOU have only to
turn the KEY and YOU may find yourself
NNaA1i'Af- 'h Sstih N'fA N'Ai'A iAbAlAC
unrestricted egress and ingress. and be-
thought myself OF that door. Ii is not iar
from your own room either, you notice"
Alone, Kate was in no hurry 10 get TO
bed. She eNtingui>hed her light, and,
taking Il chair, seated herself close by the
door In a little while she heard 4 step,
and, peeping through the keyhole, OBJ
served Mr.. ChcckcttS enter the room
facing hers Presently her quick ear
i -
field OF vision offered by the keyhole
contained the form OF Mr.. Van Blarcom.
She knew his chamber was on the next
toor, and she expected TO see him mount
the other flight; hut he did not. He
went straight to the door ofthe secretary's
apartments turned the handle, and
walked in.
As he did so she saw Mr.. Checkctts in
side advance 10 meet him, and for one
brief second bcheld his face There was
4 grIn OF familiarity upon it, and he had
hIs finger on his lips as though to IN
Innate caution.
The two men remained closcted to-
ccthcr for thrre-qUartcrs OF an hour.
Kate timed them bv her watch.
Its very strange she pondered;
"Bing must know of this the first thing
in the morning. / think We are on the
track"
Her heart was palpitating with excite
mcnt and her brain reviewing the curious
circumstance in hundred lights long
after Mr. Van Blarcom and Mr. Checketts
were sunk IN the land OF dreams.
CHAPTER VII.
Sheu-Iike ears have orten brought murrur,
from the ocean Of conspiracy.
"I see how the land lies now" said
Ring. rubbing his hands with great salts
faction. I'VE shall have Mr. Lawrence
put iH "a day or two, and the old gentle
man on his knees
Kate had met the detective by appoint
mont IN sequystcTed spot near Daven-