Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-08-15

taken hold of life again. And life is %
sweet, death 50 mysterious, he was almost
happy once more.
As for Jessie, she made no promise
whatever. When Casper came she al
lowed him 20 say what he chose, and
answered nothing.
Then the wedding-day was set, the
cards sent out, everything was settled.
Miserably Jessie went about the prep
arations for the wretched wedding-day,
wishing that she had never been.
She had been one day to talk TO poor
woman who embroidered beautifully and
had pleaded for work, when Q strange
thing happened. As she stood near the
poor woman's window, she saw Casper
Paul standing at the window of q rear
house opposite Drawing back her head
she watched him. He was talking an
grily to some one just out Of sight; he
doubled his fist and shook it furiously.
His voice crossed the space between the
houses. but she could only hear an oath
and an angry, eff you dare" Then
there came the crash of q door, and he
appeared at the entrance of the building
hurried through the alley.
Ten minutes after this, while she was
still wondering what it all meant, he re-
appeared, carrying two bottles which evil
IDENTIFY contained liquor. She heard the
door crash 20 again, little more loud
talking, then Casper came out of the
house once more, with key In his hand,
and this time went entirely away.
What did this meant Jessie asked
herself. Then a sudden hope leaped in
to her heart. 1t was that Casper might
have secret of his own. which, if she
could learn, might give her power over
him.
His whole manner and the way he
looked about him, seemed to prove that
he was afraid of being seen at the door.
She looked at her watch. 1t was just
five o'clock of Saturday afternoon.
''May come on Monday at the time
with more work?" she asked the en-
broiderer.
"Indeed, I shall be glad of it," said
the woman.
Jessie went her way-her cab waited
at the corner. It was only hired one,
and could have told Casper nothing if he
had seen it.
On Monday she came again, and was
rewarded by another glimpse of Casper
the hallway as before.
Determined to learn the truth, if pos
sible, she babe the poer seamstress a
hasty goodbye and fastened to the en-
trance of the rear building. Having
CROPPED her way upstairs, she paused be-
fore a rickety door on the first landing
and listened. Casper Paul was talking.
"What's the matter9" he was saying.
"Haven't you all you can drink" A
husky voice was heard to answer some
thing.
"Not bit like prison." replied Cas-
per.
AS he uttered these words Jessie opened
the door and entered.
What she expected to see she could
not have said, but the sight that caught
her eye was one that utterly amazed
her.
Sitting at the table on which food and
drink were spread, was her fathers half
brother, Richard Lane. His bloated
face, as unprepossessing as ever, but evil
IDENTIFY as we'll as usual
He staggered to his feet as he saw
her.
"My mesh, p" he cried. "Hullo, wash
Tom knocked me down;
but let by-gones be bY-gones. Did he
send any money!"
'Idiot!" said Casper.
"Sop' said Jessie. ''That is your
miserable trick? You have been playing
on my fathers fears sll this while; en-
joying his misery, hoping to win me by
such evil means, but heaven has thwarted |
you. Were you in the trick also, Uncle
''Bit of fun" gabbled Richard. |
Wanted to scare Tom; Casper said it !
would do him good"
"Casper!" repeated Jessie with a touch
Of scorn.
s'All is fair in love as in war;" said |
The young man. 81 love you, Jessie, I
owe you"
She motioned him out of her way and
passed him, leading her miserable uncle
oy the hand. For once in his life the
Door creature was sure of welcome from
lis brother. I
Casper remained where they left him.
Late that night some neighbors found
him lying on the floor, a pistol in his
hand, quite dead.-Fdmsily Story Paper.