Evening star., 1899-03-18

louder. The culprit was certainly coming
down the stairs. Next the door opened and
he walked into the dining room. Mrs. Bird
sell looked straight in front of her The
deacon hastily snatched the Agriculturist
from the table.
Joel appeared surprised to find the rest
of the family keeping late hours Still
settin' up?" he asked, innocently enough,
but In the ears of the others the words had
d guilty ring.
From the corner of her eyes Mrs. Brdsell
was taking quiet inventory of incriminat-
ing evidence. There was the red neektie
encircing the stand-up collar that sagged
out in tired fashion al the front. The long
tailed coat was also conspicuous. She
wished she had had the forethought to put
on her spectacles. for she knew that proper
scrutiny would detect faint creases in front
of the bagging gray pants. AS for the
shOes-the noise on the stairs had already
told It's own story.
well. l guess I'll walk out for a little
Bit" he went on, taking no notice of the
unusual restraint. THE sky's as clear as
a bell, an it seems just shameful to stay
in. Won't have many more nights like
this
Its time honest folks was abed an
asleep" The deacon's voice grated harsh
ly. although he tried his best to be natural
That's just one of your notions, Will
| liam, Joel answered with a faint laugh,
come now. nights just as good as day.
amt it? Don't fret about me. Just leave
the key to the dining room door under the
stone by the steps an I'll get in all right"
There was no reply.
An that reminds me- the culprit went
on, the next time | go to town I'm goin'
to take that key along with me an have
one made like it. No use talkin', a man
ought to have a latch key"
This last worldly whi1n, more significant
than anything else-wOrse even than the
reckless get up Of the costume-fell with
astounding weight on the farmer and his
wife. II was nothing less than the limit of
moral depravity. In the suddenness of the
shock there was no chance for reply. Joel
hesitated moment, then picked UP his hat
and went out.
The deacon and his wife remained seated.
rigid with CONSERVATION until they heard
him step off the porch. Then with one ac-
cord they arose and tiptoed to the parlor
window Peering out into the darkness
they watched him walk through the yard
TO the gate and then turn his steps in the
direction of the tavern, the lights of which
twinked dimly half a mile away down the
left fork of the road.
1.-The times come, Martha the deacon
burst out. Joel will hear from me the
first thing tomorrow mornin'i He's got to
! stanter, by the Lord he'll never stay
another day under my roofl''
I Mrs Birdsell was fairly struck dumb be-
fore her husbands awful denunciatfon. 1t
was the first time in her married life that
| he had so ruthlessly broken the third COM
| mandment, and she laid herself down to
| broken sleep and troubled dreams.
The first gleam of the rising sun was al
| ready painting gold and purple hues in the
eastern sky when the deacon slowly reused
| to the troubles of a new day. Quickly
| throwing on his working clothes he hasten
| ed to the foot of the stairs.
'Joeli' he called to the upper chamber,
Joel be stirrin'! The suns more'n an
| hour high! We've oversight scand'lous!"
| No answer came from above.
| JOEL This time there was an angry
ring in the word.
| And still no answer.
The deacon did not call again, but started
! briskly for the stables. his heavy boot heels
| making dark half-circles in the light frost
| again TO find the heavy doors thrown wide
| open to the morning breezes. Sounds were
| issuing from within, and, as he paused he
| heard his brother Joel's voice lifted In song
| the rhythm punctured by the steady
| swish" of milk against the bottom and
| sides of the tin milk can.
! The absolute unexpectedness of the situa-
| tion cause the deacon to hesitate in doubt a
| moment on the threshold.
| Bending slightly forward and listening at.
| tentively he managed to eaten the words:
| Bet my money the old bay mare
| Somebody bet on the gray
/ The doggerel had only one meaning Ia
the deacon 1t was a shameless defense OF
| horse racing, an unholy pastime into which
he had gained some insight through the in.
| nocent medium of country fairs.
| "Mornin', Wilfiam1' The greeting was
! fresh and cheery-surely not spoken with
| the languor that Is supposed to follow q
| night OF debauchery. Guess you kind OF
late hours!"
There's one way you might o. knowed
| how late hours mother an me kept" The
| deacons answer bristled with harsh insin.
uation, but It was all lost on the errine
one. Whistling softly to himself, ht