The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-03-10
THAT FATAL WEEK.
How Mr.. Copeland Removed the
Barrier to Amy's Happiness.

"No, William, I'm not mistaken, and
there's the pity of it," said Mrs. Cope
land, with sad decision, as her husband
turned out the gas. "rhe Bible record
alone would uphold me, if l did not
have any memory to depend upon, but
the fact remains-Amy was born on
September Z, and Roland on the 14th OF
the same month and year, which gives
Amy weeks advantage in point of
age"
~ should call it decided advantage,
my dear, IL it stands in the way of the
poor child's happiness" observed Mr..
Copeland.
mo happiness could come of it, be-
lieve me. The advantage should al
ways be on the husbands side, since
women grow old more rapidly than men.
1T is not fair to Amy, and l could never
consent to such q thing"
But, my dear Harriet" urged Mr..
Copeland, what possible difference
could it malle--this paltry week? Had
it been seven years, now, instead of
seven days, might understand. AS it
is, no one would believe it. / don't my
self. I really think there must be
some mistake"
Mistake" she echoed; "oh! no, my
dear-I remember"
Il remember - that was the key
no,e of the family life. When Mrs.
Copeland remembered the others meek
ly bowed in submission. From long eX-
perience they had learned to rely upon
her memory as implicitly as upon the
steady old clock at the foot of the
stairs.
There the matter might have rested,
for the night, at least, and poor Amy's
hopes might have hung by the slen-
dcrest of threads had it not been for
a temptation which often assails and
conquers the best of women-a desire
for the last word.
YES" said Mrs. Copeland, yielding
to this weakness, there is certainly "a
weeks difference. Twill show you the
record of Arny's birth tomorrow, in
your writing, in the Bible
II don't dispute it, repeated Mr.
Copeland, in drowsy tones; but as the
final word fell from Mrs Copeland's lips
evil entered his heart. and he lay
awake anXiously thinking and plan
ming, until his wifes regular breath
ing assured him that she was sound
asleep.
Then, in the midst of brooding si-
lence which seemed to cast spell
upon the household, he arose cautious
ly, softly groped about for his dressing
gown and slippers and dropped box
of matches into one of his capacious
pockets.
His destination was the library,
where, upon the top shelf of book
case, reposed the family Bible. 1t was
the work of a moment to light the gas,
bring the volume down and spread it
open upon the table, after which Mr.
Copeland stood lost in reasonable med
itation.
Down the long column of defunct an
cestors travelled his fat foretinger. un-
til. reaching his own branch of the
family, his search became more earnest,
and bringing his wandering digit to a
sudden halt he gave vent to a smoth-
cred exclamation of chagrin.
"Confound it! She is right again.
There. in his handwriting. was the
following entry
Amy, eldest daughter of William G.
and Harriet Copeland, born September
z, 1870"
He gazed for time at this proof of
his Wifes accurate memory, agitated by
variety of emotions, though his pur-
pose never tagged lie had resolved
in that short curtain colloquy to tam
per with the dates: put just now, on
the eve of executing his design, he was
sensible of many qualms.
He opened his desk and took from
one of the shelves small vial, a bit
of hlotting paper and fountain pen
The first contained some chemical prep
aration, and, carefully drawing the
stopper, he let fall a single drop of the
liquid upon the date.
Like magic it disappeared, and dry
ing the cleared place with the blotting
paper Mr. Copeland viewed this part of
his undertaking with great satisfac-
ton All inconvcnient conscience
pangs We're now obliterated, and he
was only intent on perfecting his task.
This brought the fountain pen into ac-
tive service. A light stroke, and the
deed was done.
The anxious lines disappeared from
his genial face, smile played round
the corners of his mouth and twinltled
AZ MS SJCS 90 ISpiuCcO IIIc
concealed the weapons of his enter
prise and tiptoed upstairs. But at the
first landing shock awaited him, for
there stood his daughter Amy, also en-.
..veloped in wrapper her little bare
feet thrust into slippers, her pretty
hair falling about her face as she leaned
over the banisters and peered anxious
ly into the dimly lighted hall.
Father" she exclaimed in a sur
prised whisper, 'what are you doing at
this time of nighi?"
Mr.. Copeland started guiltily like a
schoolboy caught in mischief.
Il might ask that question of you, my
dear" he returned, parrying her attack
81 was hunting for book"
And for robbers. am sure some
one turned the handle of my door
awhile ago ! was frightened"
silly child" said Mr.. Copeland, mo
one was stirring but. myself Now go
to bed and preserve your roses. else
your mother will wake up and scold us
both"
The girl cut his sent ence short by
tucking his arm within hers and lead
ing him downstairs again, like lamb
TO the sacrifice.
There, strike light" she COM