The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-02-14

penitential utterances. but taking the iov.
Gus verses to themselves And the litanv
they regarded as composed, as we'll as
read. exclusively for this convicted sinner
Among the elder ladies there was bona
that the offended ghosts might-some at
least-be present in the church and 600
this humiliation. which would not fail IN
dispose their ghostlinesses to benevolent
attitude. and even influence the weather
1t seemed to the boy as if that service
never would end To the congregation il
seemed. on account of this unusnal en;.
sode. as if there never had been a service
so short and so exciting
When the commandments had been re
cited. Ralph almost expected to hear an
additional one, Thou shalt not pretend
to be ghost. and to be called on to pray
all by himself. for an inclination of the
heart to keep that injunction. But the
vicar threw away the opportunity and
ended as usual with the tenth command
ment.
He gave out the psalm and retired to
put on his black gown The music-con
sisting OF a violin. violoncello and a
clarionet-struck up the tune, and the
choir. among whom Ralph ought to have
been. hemmed and cleared their voices. The
Northumbrians. as is well known. have
good voices and good ears The tune was
Warwick. " and the psalm was that which
began.
| Lord, In the morning thou shalt hear
My voice ascend to thee.
The boy trembled because the words
seemed to refer to the part he was about
to play His own voice would, immedi.
ately. be ascending high. but all by itself
He saw the face of his cousin, Mathew
Humble. fixed upon him with ill concealed
and malignant joy Why did Mathew
hate him with such bitter hatred2 Also
he saw the face of the girl who had been
his partner, her eyes were run or tears;
and at sight of her grief his own eyes be,
came humid.
He did not take any part at all in the
hymn.
When it was finished the vicar stood
in his pulpit waiting. his worship stood
up in his pew. his face turned toward the
culprit; in his hand his great gold headed
cane. All the people stared at the culprit
with curious eyes. as boys stare at one of
their companions when he is about to be
logged Just then the girl left her seat
and stepped deliberately up the aisle and
stood beside the boy in the sheet And
the congregation murmured wonder.
The fugeman touched the boys shout
der and brought his pike to tention.
Say after me. he said aloud Then to
the congregation he added And all the
people standing
ii confess my fault" he began
Il confess my fault" repeated boy and
girl together
And am heartily sorry, and do beg for
giveness p"
And then the Lords Prayer.
The boy spoke out the words clearly and
boldly. and with his was heard the girls
voice as well. but both were nearly
drowned by the loud voice of the fugle-
man.
1t was over then. All sat down; the
| girl beside Ralph on the stool of repent
ance, and the sermon began.
When the vicar had drubbed the pulpit
to the very end of his manuscript. and the
service was over. the three stood I'D again
and remained standing till the people were
all gone
Come, lass" said the fugleman when
the church was empty. I'VE can all go
now Off with that rag. Master Ralph"
He unbent; his face assumed human
expression; he laid down the pike.
"What odds. say. is white Sheet
Why. think, twas a show for the lads
which they haven't had for many year
And May nigh gone already. and never a
man in the stocks yet. and the pillory rot
ting for want of custom. and never thief
logged, nor bear batting If it twasn't
for the cocks of a Sunday afternoon and
the wrestling, there would have been
nothing for the poor fellows but your
ghosts to keep EN- out of mischief And
lad" he pointed in the direction of the
mill. ''your cousin means more mischief
1t was him that laid information before
his worship
"Ohl" said Ralph. clutching his fists.
"Ay him it was. and his worship
thought it mean. but he was bound I'd
take notice. for why says his worship,
he can't let this boy frighten all the
maids out of their silly senses. Yet. for
his own cousin and his guardian - that's
what his worship said
"Oh| Again Ralph clinched his fists.
Should |. an old soldier. preach mutinys
Never But seeing that your cousin is no
rightful officer Of yourn. nor yet commits
stoned to carry pike in your company.
why, |, for one
What, fugleman?"
Il. for one, if was a well grown boy.
nigh upon II. the next time he gave
orders for another six dozen, or even three
dozen, | would ask him if he was strong
enough to tie up mutineer."
The boy nodded his head
Cousin thof he be-" continued the
fugleman. captain or lieutenant is he
not"
The boy had by this time Invested him
self of his sheet. and stood dressed in a
long brown coat and plainly cut waistcoat;
he, too. wore silver buckles to his Shoes
like his cousin, but not silver buttons;
his hair was tied with black ribbon, and
his hat was plain. without lace or orna
ment.
When his adviser had finished. he
walked slowly down the empty church.
hand in hand with the girl
In the porch he stopped. threw his arm