The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-21
A st ~ OF All-Iial,ow-Eye.

More than eighty years ago three little
English children were solemnly arrang-
Ing their mystic games for All-hallow-
eve; They were alone in a cottage. near
~ half a mile from any neighbor. for
father and mother had gone to the town
of Ware. and would not be back before
the, next night; so Rupert Margery and
little Nance were preparing without a
shadow of fear to amuse themselves in
their own fashion. Chestnuts were hop
ping gayly about on the, Fireplace, and
half a dozen rosy-cheeked apples fOated
tantaiizingly In tub OF water. waiting
for courageous diver.
Rupert. an active boy Of twelve, can
tured his apple at every plunge: Mar
gerry only nibbled at hers. and sent it
bObbing about the surface OF the water
while poor little Nance would dive bold
" down, and come up gasping and chok-
kitten than little girl who had not sue
ceeded in catching a slippery apple.
ITS no use, Nance" said her sister,
you will never get one IL you keep on
soaking yourself all night Let us see
row who Will be married and who Will
die. Rupert, you go into the garden and
bring me in some earth on a plate, while
1 get the ashes and water"
The boy went out to dig up the mold.
1t was a clear night. To his left ne saw
the white banks of the river Lee, and
could hear the rush OF the waters as
river lookedi thought Rupert. He had
never seen 1t Ike that before. and for
moment he stood wondering what had
voice calling for the earth made him
forget all about IL. and In another minute
he was back in the warm, bright kitchen.
rent outside.
The little girl placed on the table the
three dishes, one OF which held the mold,
the other ashes, and the third clear
water. Then she bound a handkerchief
tightly over Nances eyes. and hade her
go and put her hand In one of the plates
If she touched the water she would be
married; IL her fingers wandered into the
ashes she was doomed to be an old maid;
but IL she reached the earth first, then
she would die before the next All-hallow-
eve.
Nance slowly CROPPED her way to the
table. and after a moments INDIGESTION
PIT her fingers softly into, the water;
with sigh of relief that her future was
settled, Nance unbound the handker-
chief and handed ii to her sister But
for advancing with great show OF con-
hdence, her evil genius led her straight
10 the ashes. greatly 10 her own disgust
and Ruperts undisguised delight 1t was
his turn now, but just as his eyes were
being bandged little Nance called out
Look! Margery' look! the floor is all
With bound the boy sprang to the
door and opened 1t. Nothing but water
met his eyeS-water as yet but q couple
o. inches deep. but which was softly.
S'ftNhiy tA7ii4S III lne moonlight. I'm
instant he realized what had happened
The Lea had overlooked its banks. ana
the water was gaining on them fast Al
reaiy II had entered the room where the
frightened children stood only half I'M
derstanding their great danger
Go up stairs shouted Rupert IN his !
sisters; and IL the food rises that nigh (
We viii climb out Of the roof Go nulckr' ,
but Margery stood still, her brown eyes /
nliing with tears 80, Rupert" she cried |
the poor little baby ducks and chickensi !
They will all be drowned: and whatever !
VIII motLer say when she comes back?" |
Rupert never needed her The water |
py inns time reached 10 their ankles ana /
10 close the door was impossible
thoroughly alarmed Rupert drew the
niue girls up the ladder-like staircase |
unto their low attic. Opening the window !
ne clawled out, and then helped Nance |
ana MarBery TO follow him Side by side
STOOD the three children and saw the suI-
I'm I'm waters surge and sway around them. J
Nhere could they look for helm?
foor little Nance sobbe1 and shiyered 1
as size crept closer to her brother's side.
Margery stood as IL frozen into stone:
put Rupert watched the cruel waters as |
they rose, and tried 10 think how hest /
10 act for his sisters sake and far his
own lie could hear in the distance cries
ana SHOUTS. and could See bonfIres bIaz-
ing on many roofs-signals of the COM
mon danger. He knew that along the
outakifts OF the town. and through the
scattered parish Of Ware. relief boats /
were even now rowing from house to