Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-06-14
THE BELFRY LIGHT.
A Touching Romance and Tragedy
of the Sea

Now, who's that ut the door this
time o. night9" said Aunt Keziah, with
out stopping her needles
But we spoke not a word; only Dolly,
who sat on the stool beside me,
clasped her hands on her blue-checlxed
apron and her eyes looked large and
bright in the freight
"Well"--Aunt Keziah peered over her
spcctacles-"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 IL another knock
sounded, and then a gust of wind
swung II open and pushed me behind
IL, and at the same time blew in q
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
ly, while forgot TO close the door.
"Why, Mother She1o, how did you
get across the meadow this night? Da-
/ vid, shut the door" said Aunt Keziah.
/ with the wind! With the windl"
the little old woman spoke in n cracked
voice; and as she reached 10 stand her
stick In the chimney corner, Dolly
shrank back almost of 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 Sheflo perched herself on the
| proffered chair. Her feet did not reach
] IL -.
loose strands of sparse gray hair, and
her eyes blinlsed sharply as she seized
my jacket sleeve with one hand, which
thought looked like birds claw.
"Nice boy, good boyw she said, peer
ing into my face. "IIe don't throw
stoncs-no, moi"
l flushed hotly with guilt, and re-
fused TO meet her piercing eyes, for the
day before ! had thrown stone at
Captain. Mother Shefo's cat, as
passed her cottage; and all the village
knew that Mother Sheflo's cat was
wondrous wise.
mo! nor' she repeated.
"No!" said Dolly, and then put her
finger in her mouth.
Mother Shedo's eyes blinked rapidly.
blAA bbN . nNOit Nilllsl anu hHbNo
en-. Ay, he knows 'em all, every onel
He follows 'em about! lie knows bit,
does Captainl Nice boy, good boy
The last words were addressed to me.
and she smiled sidcwise as she released
my arm. drew back, relieved. into
the shadow of the chimney. Dolly was
twisting her apron into knot, but her
great eyes were on Mother Sheho.
Get my death, YOU say, Keziah Allan?
Get my death?' croaked the old wom-
an. Not this night! There's death
out yonder on the sea; there's life on
land-life, lifcl' She began to Groom
TO herself. Her skinny hands were
locked together and her eyes were on
the fire.
"You must ha' caught 1t, then" said
Aunt Keziah, "or you'd never ha' got
way over here in wind like this"
II ridel l ride!" muttered the old
woman.
"Tisn't BROOM said Dolly, putting
plump finger on the cane in the chin
ncy corner and drawing it back sud
denly.
"lIol hoi Hear the baby! Woult
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 back nearer me.
"Ahl you're afraid the naughty
boys will stone you for a white dove
} Naughty boys, not good ones, lik,
: hin" She pointed skinny finger II
} me, and in the shadow felt her blacl
, eyes reading my thoughts, for tina
very day | had stoned belfry dove
and the doves belonged to Lefty, tn
parsons housekeeper.
= How they chatter and whisper, tn
. doves that fly through the village, an,
( carry away the words and doings o
menl | know 'eml They've told IN
r many thing o. wild nights when Nv
, gone TO see II the lamp was set Night
like this-the kind that washes 'em In
: washes 'em inl Go look"-she nodde
, at me-'go see II the lamp is set in tn
/. belfry"
, went to the window and drew tn
5 curtain. A great wind shook til
c house. ! heard the breakers battlin
far Off as loved to imagine them |
: the night, making through the darl
: ness the sounds of drum and cannon
o Outside was solid blackness, save fc
l. one streak of light which shon
= straight outward--the light in the be
5 fry tower.
l. Its there" said /, returning to IL
II chimney corner,
IS $50 that's what brought you," spoil
|. Aunt Keziah TO the old woman.
thought as muchl Why don't you kee
In your bed night like this2 II
l. parsonll have the light set, new
p fearl"
v ~ couldn't lie quiet this night, nc
q this night of Hallowmas, for thinSir
: OF 'em being washed in. The 9th,
~ was such us this, and the light wei
a out-the light went out"
:. She chanted the words, gazing In
. tho fire.
70 "What put it outP" asked, sittir
"a down beside Dolly.
10 "Spiritsl Bad spirits"
IL "Humphl Owls and bats, more lils
- ly," said Aunt Keziah.
a.. "They don't trouble 1t, you kno
4 that, Keziah Allenl 1t don't stay S
unless keep my eye on it, for Il
!. night they all washed in, 1t went ou
IN The light went outl"
O. ut has gone out more than on
r. when you were the first to notice
Of that's the truth" said Aunt Kezia
l. her needles flying. 81 don't belle
n you ever sleep o. nights"
Y. mot nights like this, l can't II
I ,,,tat L., bo1 ~ aaId tha ola yyotna n