The Penn's Grove record., 1896-11-13

ed away from each other; l returned to
my double-handed sword and Rose, to
keep herself in countenance, set to
busting with a corner OF her apron a
little 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
out raising our heads.
Here, take this" said my uncle.
handing me a bulky parcel from under
his arm. "A splendid purchase. you'll
see."
The subject did not interest me In the
least.
l opened the parcel and from the en-
veloplng paper emerged a steel helmet
but not an ordinary helmet. oh, no.
q superb, a monumental morton, with
gorget and pointed visor OF strange
form. The visor was raised and l tried
to discover what prevented 1t from be.
ting lowered.
ut will not go down-the hinges have
got out OF ORDER said my uncle, .ebut
it's a superb piece. and when 1t has
been thoroughly cleaned and touched
up will look well--that shall be your
to-morrow's job"
Every good. uncle" l 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 l
had great need that the proverb should
prove true. But after lying awake
for an hour without receiving any as
sistance I fell to sleep and till next
morning did nothing but dream the odd
est dreams. l 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 e wild farandole, while my
uncle, clad in complete armor and with
q formidable halberd In his hand, con.
Quoted the bewildering whirl.
The next day-ah. the next sdayt-I
was no nearer. In vain, with cienched
teeth, l secured the immense helmet
brought by my uncle the previous even
ing-scoured it with such fury as al
most to break the iron; not an idea
came to me. The helmet shone like a
sun. My uncle sat smoking his pipe
and watching me, but / could think of
nothlng-of no way OF forcing him to
give mo bis daughter.
AT s 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 preyi-
Gus evening.
/ went on rubbing at my helmet.
You have nnade 1t quite bright
enough-put It down" said my uncle,
/ put It down. The storm was gath
ering; / could not do better than allow
1t to blow over.
But suddenly, as II overtnken by a
strange fancy, my uncle took up the
enormous morton and turned and ex-
amlned it on all sides>
xmndscfSe piece Of armor, there
Is no doubt about it; but 1t must have
weighed pretty heavily on its wearer's
shoulders. he muttered; and. urged by
i know not what demon. he ciapped
II IN his head and latehed the gorget
piece about his neck.
Struck almost speechless. I watched
what he was doing-thinking only how
ugly he looked.
Suddenly there al a sharp sound
as II a spring had snapped-and-crack!
-dowu fell the visor; and there was
my uncle, with his head in an iron cage,
~gesticulatfng and swearing like a pa
gan.
ccuid contain myself no longer. and
burst Into a roar Of laughter; for my
uncle. stumpy. fat and rubicund, pre-
scented an irresistibly comic appear
ance.
Ihreateningly he came toward me.
''The hinges!-the hinges. foolF' be
yelled.
Icould not see his face, but I felt that
1t was red to bursting.
when you have lone laughing,
idlot!' 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
~gesticuiated, the more he yelled ana
threatened me. the louder Laughed.
At that moment the clock OF the Hotel
de Vile striking 5 O'clock was heard.
"The municipal counclF murmured
my uncle, In a stihed voice. "QuicK'
help me OH with his beast Of a ma
chinel Wen settle our business after-
ward"
But. suddenly likewise, an dea-a
wild, extraordinary idea-came into my
- 49, H. Il y