The Forrest City times., 1894-05-11
THE BELFRY LIGHT.
A Touching Romance and Tragedy
 of the Sea.

"Now, who's that at the door this time O night?" said Aunt Keziah, with out stopping her needles
 But we spoke not word; only Dolly, who sat on the stool beside me, clasped her hands on her blue-checked apron and her eyes looked large and bright in the freight.
 ''Wcll"-Aunt Keziah peered over her spectacles-"why don't you get up'n see?"
 Then Dolly turned her gaze on me, and put down the wood l was whit tling into boat and went to the door.
 As 1 unlatched it another knock sounded, and then gust of wind swung it open and pushed me behind it, and at the same time blew in queer, witchlike figure. who, with her long cloak Tapping about her. seemed swept straight to the fire on the gale. She stood there, her black eyes snap ping first at Aunt Keziah, then at Dol y, while 1 forgot to close the door.
 Why, Mother Shefio, how did you get across the meadow this night? Da- vid, shut the door," said Aunt Keziah.
 With the wind! With the wind.' the little old woman spoke in cracked voice; and as she reached to stand her stick in the chimney corner, Dolly shrank back almost off the stool.
 Well, it's wonder you don't get your death, that's all," said Aunt Ke- ziah. still knitting. David fetch chair"
 Mother Shefo perched herself on the protfered chair. Her feet did not reach the floor. Her quilted hood showed loose strands of sparse gray hair. and her eyes blinked sharply as she seized my jacket sleeve with one hand, which I thought looked like birds claw.
 Mice boy, good boy." she said, peer ing into my face. He don't throw stones-no, no."
 1 flushed hotly with guilt and re- fused to meet her piercing eyes, for the day before 1 had thrown a stone at Captain, Mother Sheho's cat, as l passed her cottage; and all the village knew that Mother Shefo's cat was wondrous wise.
 No. no.' she repeated
 "Now said Dolly, and then put her finger in her mouth.
 Mother Sheflo's eyes blinked rapidly. Bad boys stone Captain, and he knows 'em Ay, he knows 'em all, every one. He follows 'em about. He knows bit, does Captain. Nice boy, good boy!" The last words were addressed to me. and she smiled sidewise as she released my arm I drew back, relieved, into ,be shadow of the chimney. Dolly was twisting her apron into knot, but her great eyes were on Mother Shetio. .'Get my death, you say. Keziah Allan? Get my death?" croaked the old wom- an. Not this night! There's death out wonder on the sea; there's life on lant-life, lifer' She began to croon to herself Her skinny hands were locked together and her eyes were on the fire.
 You must ha' caught it, then" said Aunt Keziah, ''or you'd never ha' got way over here in wind like this.
 II ride. I ride." muttered the old woman.
 "Tisnt broom" said Dolly, putting a plump finger on the cane in the chim- ney corner and drawing it back sud denly.
 "Ho! ho! Hear the baby! Would YOU like to ride some night, my pretty one, up, up, up where the doves whis- per in the belfry?"
 Dolly shook her head with fright ened look and drew pack nearer me.
 "Ah. you're afraid the naughty boys will stone you for white dove? Naughty boys, not good ones, like hinl' She pointed skinny finger at me. and in the shadow felt her black eyes reading my thoughts. for that very day 1 had stoned belfry dove and the doves belonged to Lefty, the parsons housekeeper