The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-20

gayly decorated wagon and bright COS
TUNES presented the chief attraction in
the long line of march. Fiossie. attired
as Goddess of Liberty, stood at the rear
of the wagon supported by Lynn Graves,
who was a fit knight for the loving
service.
Binds were stationed at intervals
along the columns, and from the huge
wagon resounded the campaign Songs in
II chorus of patriotic young voices. The
customary banners, transparencies, mot.
toes, caricatures, and illuminatons de-
lighted the throng
In wild excitement William Bedford
forsook the ranks and dashed about at
random, startling in his recklcssness and
obtrusive in his actions. Seeking every
opportunity to approach Flossie in her
now grandeur. he glared upon her furi
ously. She needed him not; happiness
made here careless, and her secret was
revealed.
Before the hour of midnight had
chimed from the distant steeple the
merry makers were at their respective
homes. Mr.. Bedford's family separated
after few moments of animated dis
cussion and comment upon the various
haps and mishaps of the celebration.
Williams mood had changed. He sat
quiet and Thoughtful, taking no part in
the conversation. But rs Flossie said
good night, flinging back her radiant
smile, he abruptly arose and bade her
stay u moment.
In wondering fear the girl halted,
then came back reluctantly to where lie
stood.
II have found you out" he said in a
slow, passionless sort of way, 81 know
now why you have no love for me. "
"Oh, William, don't talk so--don't
look so! l have never harmed you-why
will you torment me3 l don't know
what you mean.
"Yes you do, he replied in the same
measured tones, "and " hat / want to
say is this: The man you love shall die.
have sworn it. | said l would kill YOU,
but-what3 Crying? Poor little FIos.
sie!' In n strangely tender way he laid
his hand upon the bowed head of the
sobbing girl, whose nerves could no
longer bear the tension of excitement.
"Why. l wouldn't harm you, he con-
tinued; you couldn't help it. Don't
know lie has bewitched you? Yes, he
added iiercely, land l hate hint At
sunrise he dies! We shall be happy yet.
Go to bed now, my Goddess of Liberty
Tomorrow he dies!"
The girl was benumbed with fear. If
| this We're not sheer madness, then what
was it? What should she do? Gently
she bade the man good night and noise
lessly crept up 10 her uncle'5 room.
which adjoinel hers. No one had as
yet fallen asleep Fiossie expressed her
apprehensions in cautious voice.
The mother. ever watchful, instantly
arose and went to her sons room. She
Heard him strilng about but her efforts
to enter were rudely repulsed. Anxious
and unsati,fied she returned to bed, but
in an hour al was quiet and she, too,
| overcome by the unusual fatigue of the
day, fell into deep sleep.
But tn Florence sleep was impossible.
Only mile away was the Graves farm.
| Should she venture to 60 in the dead
hour Of night and warn her lover? He
had sister with whom she had fire..
| quently passed the night, and as for the
future, no one save the two families
need ever know that she went alone and
for such a purpose. Ere the morning
her Cousins strange mood would doubt.
less have passed away.
Softly coaxing the big house dog. the
| girl sped out into the starlit night.
Love made her brave, and to this love
she owed her life. Her mission was
| speedily accomplished. Her lover took
the precaution to change his sleeping
apartment in compliance with her whim,
] and the new sun found her fast asleep
beside her school fellow, Marian Graves
Long ere merciful friends would arouse
her, the neighborhood was ringing with
news Of u tragedy such as was never be-
fore recorded in the annals of the dark
and bloody ground. In the dar.i hours
of night William Bedford had killed
father, mother, sister. and then shot
himself. OF the whole family not one
was left
The Bedford homestead is deserted.
and the neighbors say it is haunted
Flossie never knew the ghastly details
Of the tragedy which left her sole heir
to the properly. Lynn Graves married
her almost Immediately. she was so des-
ola;e and unprotected, and took her
and the dog to Kansas City, where amid
new scenes she tried to forget the past