Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-11-28


embellishments as they might deem
proper-behind the pastors back.
Nell Gwynne could not prevail on
Gladys to accompany her home, 30 she
went on without her. and David Grif-
18th, waiting, as was his wont, offered
to see Gladys safe to her own door.
Bnt the girl shook her head.
II am not afraid" she made answer,
"and could not enjoy the walk after
your sermon
HAS ii made such an impression on
your" he asked, forgetting his clerical
information in tendcrer cadence.
1T has made me unhappy" said the
the young woman. regarding him with
sorrowful, uplifted eyes.
Il am glad" he said with the fire of
an enthusiast. II am tired Of preach
ing to deaf ears. am glad that one
soul Is convinced"
II am convinced In one way only
that you are fighting great war
against evil with straws."
Then she left him, riding home, that
he might have no excuse to follow.
Rev. David Griffith had received such
blow straight between the eyes that
he saw nothing but a armament Of
stars, and leaving the old sexton to
close the church. he. too, went home,
humbled and disappointed man. for he
dearly loved this same Gladys Allyn
and was set on having her for wife
IL she would consent. He knew that
the Welsh women make the most
faithful wives i'm the world. but he
had not found courage to declare him.
self, and there were several likely
young Cornishmen in the field.
Gladys went home and found the
house holding high carnival. Her
younger brothers and sisters had not
attended church, and instead were
carrying out all the unholy rites, as
David Griffith called them, of HallOw-
cen. Bonfires were burning III the
yard, and in the kitchen twirling
stick with lighted candle on one
end and an apple on the other amused
the youngsters. Three dishes were on
the hearth, one empty. one filed with
soapy, and one with clear water. Bob,
her brother, invited Gladys to try her
luck.
Dunno bout you mout get tn par
son." he said with a grimace.
But the girl had no heart for the
usual festivities since they had been
denounced as sinful, and went up to
her own little room and sat there alone
until at last love and superstition got
the better of her resolution.
I'll try it just this once" she said
to herself, land never again."
Then she went to an old chest and
took out one of the high chimney-pot
hats, worn by the Cymri, and short
mother hubbard cloak and attired in
these slipped out and wendell her
way to the church.
Under her cloak she carried candle
and this she now lighted, and shield
ing it from the wind she began a cir
cult of the building. If there was
anything in the stories they told she
would see an appearance-the wrath
Of the man she desired to marry. She
carried out this Halloween ritual to
the letter, and then in the gloom and
shadow of the church Gladys saw n
figure approaching and an immediate
fear took possession of her.
1t was a tall figure wrapped in the
folds of Llandudno shawl. the figure
| of a man, and very resolutc one, too,
for he threw open n door which led to
the basement and producing a round
object from his pocket began an in
cantation Of some sort.
Il wind, l wind, wind, who holds?''
he cried out excitedly, and Gladys
recognized the voice, and great joy
effaced every vestige of her fear.
Il hold, hold, hold" she an
swered boldly.
But her voice had exactly the op-
posite effect Of that which she an
ticipated. 1t was the young rector.
as she knew, who was holding an end
Of the yarn, the ball of which he had
dropped down the basement stairs.
When she spoke in answer to his ques
ton he wheeled round and beholtfing
as he supposed, an ancient woman
he made no doubt that she was one OF
the COLLINS against whom he had been
warning his people, and he started
back with cry, and fell prone to the
earth at the bottom of the stairs.
1t was now Gladys turn to be fright
ened. Springing to the top of the
stairway, she called in clear tones:
"Mr. Griffith"
No answer.
David" very softly.
A deep groan.
Her candle was still burning. She
slipped down the steep stairs and saw
the helpless form lying at the foot II
took her hardly a second Of time tC
make her cloak into a pillow and sir
1t under his head. AS she lifted his
shoulders he groaned again.
David" she whispered, and then a.
no answer came she said In a ferven
tone, dear, dear Davidv'
With that he sat up and laughed
he the grave, dignified parson who hat
so recently rebuked his people fol
lcvity and superstition. Gladys lef
him Indignantly and began to re
mount the stairs, but he called he
back.
Can assist you, Mr.Griffith?"
mo, no, not Mr.. Griffith my swee
Gladys. am your dear David from
now henceforth, or here I stay tn,
captive Of the sweetest pain by which
every man was slain. Take me O
leave me, am yours"
''And shall Trelawney die?
"And shall Trelawney die?
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