The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-08-10

head, and fatteniEg himself against the
whitewashed wall. at pretty lonesome
here; but there's the deceased's chamber
yOu can sleep in, and trapped rabbit
this morning in the pine wood that Isa-
bella is Just stewing up, and
isabella" repeated John Marryatt-
She's the old woman IN eharge-my
sister explained the ancient warder Of
the castle. @Ain't much to look at, but
she's a proper good girl
But said Mr. Marryatt, "I don't
think I care about sleeping in the room
where Uncle Origen died"
The old man stared at him with dull
CLASSY eyes.
~Eh % said he. awhy not? You don't
believe in spiritus lem, 90 you ?"
~Nonsense - uried Marryatt
Then Why amt one room as good as
another" asked the old nan, stolidiy
Nevertheless, I would much rather
90 % the nea est hotel impaiientIy ut
tered John.
~Aint none short O. seven mile said
the old nan. ~And that's only sum
mer machine. They don't run it arter
the waterfalls friz up. But there's a
freight train With passenger caboose
hitehed on that stops at Cutting Corners
at midnight"
"Where Is Cutting Corners2"
~Eight''mile as the crow flies"
@How the dickens DO you suppose 1
am TO get eight miles from here when it
IS pitched dark already ?" Grief Marry
att, Grossly.
There's jenkins one-hoss wagon,
mildly suggested the old man. I'm
goin' to his place Directly arter box O.
stove backing, a pound O. taller dips
and quarter O = pound o green tea
for Isabella can tell Jenkins TO come
round and cart We to the station, ef ye
don't begrudge a crown"
By all means; and while you are gone
Isabella can give me some supper"
Marryatt sat down in the old, low
eeilei room, where the rag carpet seem
ed neither brighter nor DINNER than it
had been 20 years ago, sAd warmed bis
chilled feet before q blaze ofsnapping
logs; while old Isabella, who might have
appeared creditably in any tablsau as the
Witch Of Endor, crept around an iron
pot, which swung from a prodigious
crane and got supper after slow. elum-
sy manner.
Pretty gay in town this winter ?" said
the old woman, brAndishing her spoon
over him as be ate rabbit stew.
Il suppose So"
I'm thinkin' o goin' there myself
said she.
@To take situation ," asked the young
man, inwardly thinking that he could
not recommend her as cook
~Bless your heart, no" said Isabella
81 know a sea captain there as amt mar
ried and they tell me the gals Is all pick
in and ehoosin' for themselves now that
leap year has come around. Anyhow
I'm tired o this place, and don't see
why nv chance amt as good as any
uodys.
Marryait starred At her in mute amaze-
ment, as ae secretly depIored the sad case
Of the uususpecting sea captain
-P'raps you wouldn't mind keepin' an
eye on the FIRE" said the gentle Isabella,
while I Just 60 and see If Simon has
locked the hen hoase-he's 50 forgetfll.
And she hobbled away.
At the sane time there came loud
knocking at the eouter door, and stout
country girl, with cheeks of that peculiar
red which shines as lit had been var
nished, very black eyes and coarse hair,
walked in, well wrapped up in a red and
black plaid shawl, and felt hat that
looked ike damaged helmet
ave come for Mr.. Marryatt, said she,
without any ceremony.
Instinctively our hero backed up
against the wall.
@What2r cried be.
you're Mr.. Marryatt, amt you?" said
she.
That's my name" retreating still
farther behind the stiff woodeu-baeked
chair, where Uncle Origen used to sit
and smoke his pipe
aWen, I've come for you You amt
deaf, be you2 Tve-eome-for-yoG ~
-Yes, but ="
There amt 10 time 10 lose baEled
this daughter of sOlituies, seizing him
by the arm. This here's your baggage y
grasping the valise in ihe ether hand
This was leap year with vengeance,
thought our hero
With one desperate struggle he freed
himself from her grasp
Il won't gor' Nothing can compel
me to 90 against my VIII
@You won't - said the red-eheeked
damsel.
@No, won't replied John Marryatt.
Then you VIII miss the train said
the girl, @snd It won't he no fault Of
mine. Father has had the rheumatics,
and promised him 1 would come for
you"
~Oh, the tIain-I see" cried Mr.. Mar
ryatt 4 didn't quite comprehend your
meaning at frzt. Yes I'll come immedi-
ately"
The red-eheeked damsei, who proved
to be no despicAble charioteer, ratified
down the frozen mountain road with
considerable skill and energy, reaching
the solitary station Just as the freight
train came IN sight,
50 Mr. Marryatt arrived in town.
in time to see the sun rise glow irradiate
the red brick chimney tops behind the
DelevaE House,
@EOt married yet, be said to himself;
~but 1 viii be as soon as possible. If she
viii have me. III run no more such risks
as this"
That very afternoon he called at DR..
Mere's house and proposed to Ayice-
and Avice accepted him Yes, size act
ualIy accepted him.
But did you really say that" asked
Avice, feeling that it was her duty TO adj