The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-01-05
well is tomorrow morning! Now, Kitty,
haven't | earned kiss 90

pose We'll have to humor him.
He went cheerily upstairs, moved in the
big cherry wood clock, where the gilt sun
painted poplars above the face, and the
huge brass pendulum swung drowsily to
and fro.
"Now what else can do for you,
squire" said he, with alacrity.
"Nothing," said Paul. cor, stay NY
tonic. please, need all the strength can
gain.
''Is it this bottle ?' said Owen
Mr.. Penflax nodded without turning his
head-swallowed his medicine, and folded
up his glasses.
''Ill rest a little now," said he-and
honest Owen tiptoed out of the room, pain
fully conscious of his squeaking boots.
Paul Penhax shut his eyes and medita-
ted gloomily over the past, present and
future
"Ivc heen a miserable sinner" said he;
'but don't know, if was to live my life
over again, that wonder, now, if this is
imagination-this strage drowsy feeling :?
/ I'vc heard doctors tell that death was only
a sort o. falling asleep used up sensation.
+ Yes. it's the Penfax fate. It's New
New Years eve, and Pm dying! wonder
-what-Kitty-"
Only a minute as it seemed, and there
were footsteps and voices in the room.
But he lay there, unable to stir hand or
foot-even to lift an eyelid.
''I suppose they'll lay me out now"
said he to himself. ''Tm dead. And it
wasn't so painful, after all? I can't see
'em talk"
81 found him lying Just So" said Kittv's
soft voice. "when I came upstairs. Oh,
dear. oh, dear! do you suppose he's dead ?"
"As door nail said Peter Penhax, a
distant cousin who lived next door
''Must a died just on the stroke of
eleven"
81 told them So The Penfax faten'
was the reflection in cousin Paul's mind.
"Dreadful cold weather for funeraln'
said Peter.
"Whcre is Owen?''
"GOne for the DOCTOR Sobbed Kitty.
"For the doctor! That's only money
thrown away He charges dollar visit, -
growled Peter. "You'd deal better fetch
the undertaken! BY the way, Kitty,
where's that diamond stud of his? And
all his papers? I'd better take charge of
'em at once"
~ don't know" said Kitty, thankful
that the mention of papers enabled her to
speak truly. "Thc LAWYER"
'Lawyers cost money" said Peter, "Fm
lawyer enough and Pm the natural heir.
Paul was regular old miser-never helped
nobody but himself IF he could he'd
took his money with him. he would. And
I mean to find that diamond if
''Iou shall not touch a thing" cried
Kitty. as Peter began to open the drawers
of the ancient mahogany desk in the corner
and pry around in various directions. ''He
was good to me. and I won't have his
wishes disregardedn'
"I'm bound to have that stud" said
Peter, "or I'll know the reason whyr'
"And Pm dead and can't interferer'
thought poor Paul.
''Sit down" said Peter Penhax. amt
goin' to be domineered over by no woman :?
That diamond is here, and I'm the next o
kin-Sit down. I say, Or I'll choke you like
You was a chicken"
"Oh if Owen French were here!" gasped
Kitty, wringing her hands. ''Let go my
| throat, You hurt me. YOU
''Let 90 her throat or I'll he the death of
YOU" bawled a voice behind Peter Pen
/ flax; and the interloper jumped back to
behold the yellow visage and flannel bed
gown to match of the supposed dead man
close to him.
"What's them bells?" cried Paul. "The
old South Church ringing in the New Year.
And | am not dead! Then | shan't die
this year, the Lord be praised Get out of
this, Peter Penhax. You amt heir to my
diamond stud yet, and don't mean you
shall be! I'm powerful drowsy, and my
legs feel like cracked pipe-stems: but I'm
as live as ever was! Get out, | say
''You're a ghost" said Peter Penfax.
"And ghosts have no legal right.
'I'm alive! restorted Paul "kitty,
hand me the tongs! Yes | thought that
would scatter him! And the old clock
stopped at eleven, did it? Everything's
combined against the Penflax fate, l do
believe And now, Kitty, help me back to
bed and give me swallow of my tonic.
It's there on the tablet
ono, Cousin Penhax, it isn't" said
Kitty "This is the laudanum liniment
for your backn'
Paul PenflaN opened and shut his mouth
lite piece Of newly invented machinery.
"The laudanum liniment!" said he.
That accounts for it! Owen French gave
me a big dose of it last night reckoned it
was the tonic! 1t must have put me dead
asleep, and s'posed of course | was dead!
But wasn't. | was alive enough to come
to your rescue, Kitty! And you shall have