Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-11-18

! But howT asked Rose.
| Ah! howl That was exactly re Gif
flculty. But. NO matter: would tat
| Q way to surmount Il.
| At that moment a heavy step resound
ed in the street. Instinctively we NOV
Cd away from each other; returned Il
my double-handed sword and Rose, tt
keep herself in countenance, set tG
dusting with a corner of her apron 9
little statuette in its faded red velvet
case.
My uncle entered. Surprised at find
ing US together. he stopped short and
looked sharply from one to the other.
We each Of us went on rubbing with.
cut raising our heads.
Here. take this" said my uncle
handing me q bulky parcel from under
his arm. "a splendid purchase, you'll
| see"
The subject did not interest me In the
least.
opened the parcel and from the en-.
veloping paper emerged q steel helmet
but not an ordinary helmet, oh, no
Q superb. . monumental morton, with
gorHse and pointed visor Of strange
form The visor was raised and tried
70 discover what prevented 1t from be-
ing lowered.
1T win not 60 down-the hinges have
got out Of order" said my uncle. ''but
it's a superb piece. and when it has
been thoroughly cleaned and touched
up will look well-that shall be your
to-morrow's job"
VERY good, uncle" I murmured, not
daring to raise my eyes to his.
That night. on returning to my room,
I at once went to bed. l was eager to
be alone and able to think at my ease
Night brings counsel. 1t is said. and I
had great need that the proverb should
prove true. But after lying awake
for an hour without receiving any as
sistance fell to sleep and till next
morning did nothing but dream the odd
est dreams. / saw Rose on her way to
church in a strange bridal costume, a
fourteenth century cap three feet high
on her head, but looking prettier than
ever. Then suddenly the scene chang
ed to moonlight. in which innumerable
helmets and pieces Of old china were
dancing a wild farandole, while my
uncle, clad in complete armor and with
a formidable halberd in his hand, con-
Quoted the bewil6ering whirL
The next day-ah! the next dayLI
was no nearer. In vain, with clenched
teeth, I secured the immense helmet
brought by my uncle the previous even
!ng-scoured 1t with such fury as al
most to break the iron; not an idea
came to me. The helmet shone like
sun. My uncle sat smoking his pipe
and watching me, but could think Of
nothins-of no way OF forcing him to
give me his daughter
At 5 o'clock Rose went into the coun-
try, whence she was not to return until
dinner time, In the evening. On the
threshold she could only make a sign
to me with her hand: my uncle had not
left us alone for a single instant He
was not easy in his mind: l could see
that by his face. No doubt he had not
forgotten our conversation OF the previ.
ous evening.
went on rubbing at my helmet.
You have made 1t quite bright
enough-put it down." said my uncle.
] put 1t down. The storm was gath
ering; could not do better than allow
it to blow over.
But suddenly, as II oTertaken by a
strange fancy. my uncle took up the
enormous morton and turned and ex-
anined it on all sides
"A handsome piece Of armor, there
is no doubt about 1t: but 1t must have
weighed pretty heavily on its wearer's
he nuttered; and. urged by
l know not what demon, he clapped
piece about his neck.
Struck almost speechless, watched
what ne was doins-thinkins only how
ugly he looked.
Suddenly there was a sharp sound
as II a spring had napped-and-crack!
down fell the visor; and there was
my uncle, with his head in an iron cage,
gest!culating and swearing like a pa
gan.
could contain myself no longer. and
burst into a roar Of laughter; for my
uncle. stumpy. fat and rubicund. pre-
sented an irresistibly comic appear.
ance.
Threateningly he came toward me.
1.-The hinges.-the hinges, fool" he
yelled.
could not see his face. but felt that
1t was red to bursting.
"When you have done laughing,
idiot" he cried.
But the helmet swayed so oddly on his
shoulders. his voice came from out 1t in
such strange tones, that the more he
gesticulated, the more be yelled and
threatened me. the louder laughed.
At that moment the clock of the Hotel
de Vile striking 5 o'clock was heard.
THE municipal councilv' murmured
my uncle, in a stifed voice. "Quick,
help me OF with this beast Of a ma
chine! Wen settle our business after
wardw
But, suddenly likewise. an idea-a
wild, extraordinary idea-came into my
head; but then, whoever is madder
than a lover? Besides, had no choice
Of means.
Nor l replied.
Ny uncle fell back two PAGES in ter
ror-and again the enormous helmet