The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-01-25
A STORM ASHORE.
BY JAMES H. CONNOLLY.

Jacob would turn away with sigh, and
tine discussion would be at an end.
! Back OF the house a narrow lane, Dor
dered by a neglected garden and corn
field beyond. led out to the distant high
| way The Van Deust brothers were not
| poor, as the humble style of their home
| might seem to indicate; indeed they had
the reputation, in all the coantry around,
/ of being wealthy, and were. at least, we'll
/ OF. The neglect and Indifference OF age
! in its owners was the sole cause that the
surroundings of the old homestead which
! might easily have been made charming.
presented such picture of disorder and
decay.
Up the little lane, at a very early hour
one bright summer morning, two men
might have been seen, driving in a light
! gig. approaching the Ven Deust mansi n.
! One of them was a stout, rudy faced gem
tleman of fifty. or Whereabouts, known to
everybody in the county as Squire Bodley.
! His companion, who held the reins, was
| handsome young fellow of twenty-four or
/ twenty-five years, rustic in personal ap-
/ pearanee and garb. with q good, frank
( open countenance that bore n pleasing ex-
preston OF intelligence and good nature.
/ "0f course it's only form. my going to
( be your security" said the der man as
they logged along, for the Van Deus;s
know you as well as do, and knew YOUR
father. Dave Pawlett, before you. and a
/ GOOD man he was But still, Lem, l don't
know any young fellow in all the country
i round about that I'd take more pleasure
/ in serving, even in a matter OF form, than
/ YOU"
/ THANK you, sir" replied the young
man warmly. with grateful flush upon
/ his sun-burnt cheeks. ''Its very kind of
| you, Pm sure, and | can't tell Won how
/ much feel il so. You know | want the
I lease of that lower farm, buE YOU don't
! know how almiR htily much l want it !;
/ and nobody does but me and-one other
I person. perhaps"
"Ahaw responded the squire, with a
| chuckie. II can make a guess about who
( the other person is. And some day you
and that other person will be coming to
me for a little business in my line,
reckon-a sort Of mutual life lease. eh?"
We'll, maybe 60. squire. l hope &c"
ensW cred Len, confusedly, and with a lit
tie deeper fiush. But here are at the
! gate Wait moment, while jibe bow
1 wheels and make the horse fast"
/ As he spoke he jumped lightly out of
! the vehicle, turned the horse a little 10
! one side 30 az TO make the descent OF his
| companion more convenient, and, after
hitching the reins 10 a fence pos, accom-
! panied the squire to the door OF the house.
/ There wes no sound or sim. az vet. of any
I OF the inmates Of the old homestead being
4 as.ir.
well. they must be late risers here"
/ soliioquized the squire, as Lem raped and
| called at the door.
! at the emf of few minutes voice an
/ swered indisiinctly from within: Who's
| there? What dye Want?" And almost
/ 81.
! window OF little extension of the house,
I at the end farthest from the orchard, were
/ pushed open and the head OF an aged
| black woman appeared with the echoing
! query, 'Who dah2 WhR' dv'e wan'?"
Its me-Squire Bodley," responded
| that gentleman, answering the first in
| quirer.
! Presently the door opened and Peter
( Van Deust appeared in it; a weakened.
| thin lItGls man, with a fringe of gray hair
surrounding a big white bald place on the
/ top of his head, with a we formed nose
! and eyes still bright enough TO suggest
I that be had been a Ropd-lookinR young
I fellow in his day; with lips that quivered.
! and long, lean fingers that trembled with
I the weakness OF cd age but, withal.
| pleasant smile and a CHEEKY ring. even
| yet, in his cracked old voice.
"
| threw open the door. Pm RAJ GLAD to see
you. And Lem! You, too? Well, this
Is a pleasant surprise party for us early in
| the morning!"
Its not so very early, Peter" answered
the squire. 1T is almost O'Clock"
us that 90? Well declare 1 Won
| der why Jacob isn't up. He's mostly an
cary riser, and as he's the boy amongst
US, why we old fOlks-Betsy and merely
! on him to wake US mp In the mornings.
Old people, you know, get back to being
! like babies again for wanting their good
sleep. But Jacob has oversight himself
this morning, sure. I'll soon roust him
out, though"
As he spoke he went to closed door at
one side of the central sitting room. which
was thanked by the separate apartments
! OF the brothers, and pounding upon it
with his bonY knuckles, called:
Come. Jacob. bounce out, boy You're
late It's breakfast time. and we've got
visitors. Get up~
There was no answering sound within
| lie waited moment then knocked again,
shouting: Hello, jacob Jakel | say,
get up What's the matter with you"
Still there was no response. The three
men waiting. held their breath TO listen.
! and vague sense of uneasiness crept over
them. The songs OF the bue-bIrds, and
the chirp OF the martens the hunmlng
Of the bees, the stamping OF the horse
hitched 70 the zig, and the clatter old
Betsy made in opening her door, were al
sharply distinct IN the quiet summer
morning air. bur from the closed room
| there was no sound whatever Peter tried
| the door, but il did not Weld.
Hes locked his door" exclaimed the
old man, with an intonation of surprise in
/ his voice
Maybe something has happened to
him" suggested Lem.
What could happen to him? He was
oil right last night; never better in his
life. And he's Younger than me- But it's
| queer he should have locked his door. He
| don't mostly" He continued rapping
, and shouting Jacob, wake upp in more
| end more anxious tone.
The key isn't in the keyhols, guess"
he muttered half 10 himself, fumbiing at
the lock with bit OF stick he picked up
| from the floor, but" stopping down aud
| trying to peer through, Il can't see any
| thing because it's all dark inside"
Haven't you some other key about the
house that will fl the lock?" asked the
squire.
Yes. Mine does. guess. But didn't
think OF 1t al first. I'll try H."
1t fitted; the bolt was thrown back and
the door pushed open. The sunshine
| daried in and fell, broad and clear upon