The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-11
SlBYL's ESCORT.

FARMER WeSterDrook had just brought
in an armful Of snow crusted logs from
the woodpile at the north END of the
house, throwing them down on the
ample stone hearth with a noise like
small earthquake. when Sibyl Har-
rington started up.
Five o'clock! hadn't an idea it
was so late. l must be going"
ALLOW me to accompany you, Miss
Harrington
You will let me see you home,
Sibyl?'
Captain Meredith and Max Crossley
both spoke up at once, and rose stimuli
taneously-but Sibyl shook her head
Il would prefer to walk alone" she
said gayly.
And about the sleighing party to-
morrow night?" said Max anxiously.
Il have half promised Captain
Meredith" said the village beauty, her
long eyelashes dropping, and a delicate
shade of rose suffusing her cheek.
But, Sibyl, 1 thought it was an un-
derstood matter between you and me
three weeks ago!'' Max exclaimed, with
contracting brows.
Was it? I am sure I had forgotten
it,"
Captain Merediths smooth, softly in
toned voice filled up the silence.
Il exact no promises" he said
calamity; but if l am not punctual to
the hour and the spot, Miss Harring-
ton may draw her own conclusions. =
4 Max Crossley had loved her ever
since they were children together, ard
Captain Meredith, who had come down
to pass the Christmas holidays with
his cousins, the Westerbrooks, had pro-
longed his visit into January.
Job glowered after him, as he went
gaily up the stairs.
81 just wish 1 had the servin' of him
out said Job, gloomily. Its JOB.
do this and Job, do that and Job,
where's the warm water?' and Job,
what the deuce do you mean by let
tim my fire go out? as if I was his
bond slave, and not a red cent has he
guy me yet-no, nor so much as
pleasant word! I wonder if he means
to stay here always?"
You and I are equally partial to
him, job" said Max Crossley, laugh
ing.
Il heard him talking with Miss Sibyl
about goin' sleigh ridin' tomorrow
night" said Job, shrewdly Il should
jes' like to put kicking Billy in the
shafts-I would, if it warn't for Miss
sibyl. He don't know nothin' about
horses, that there militia Cap'n, don"
And Job chuckled.
Il say, Mr.. Crossley," he resumed
why don't you get beforehand with
him? Miss Sibyl don't really care for
Finishes only dazzled like"
Miss Harrington must choose for
herself job" he said.
The next night came-a night of ali
nights propitious for sleighing expedl
tions and rustic love-making.
"Couldn't be better weather." said
the Captain. Job, where are the
sleighbells?"
Dunno" quoth Job, indifferently.
There's them old jinglers in the gar
ret that used to belong to Deacon
Joe Westerbrook, that was in the Rev
dictionary War, and there's the two
cowbells that Mary Ann might scour
up with ashes
'Pshawi" said the Captain, ''do you
take me for Rip Van Wrinkle? There's
a pretty little string somewhere, for !
saw them when Mrs. Westerbrook
went out day before yesterday"
II hain't seen moth on EN-" said
Joe.
Come, come, don't make yourself
out any stupider than you are by ma
ture, job" said the farmer, laughing.
II guess they're out in the barn cham
Der. You better go out with him, Cap
tain, if you expect to find 'em-our
Jobs dreadful thick-headed when he
chooses to be-"
Come along, my fine fellow said
the Captain loosely. collaring Job and
marching him off in the direction Of
the old red barn under the hill.
'Old Billy, renowned for his kicking
qualifications, blinked sagely around at
them from his stall. and Tom sat up
a low friendly whinny as they entered
the big frosty, fragrant barn.
Where are the stairs?" demanded
the Captain.
There amt none," said Job. Its
a ladder
up with you, them" said Meredith,
but Job shrank steadfastly back.
Il wouldn't go for $50" said Job.
"Old Michael Westerbrook hung him
self from the middle beam fourteen
years ago, and folks say he stands
up there with a rope around his neck
every moonlight night
STUFF and nonsense." calculated the
Captain in accents Of supreme con-
tempt.
He cpropu mimi 1v I'M tho ro,,pdc Of
the ladder and disappeared through the
trap-door.
Where is it?' he called.
THE ghost? Right under the middle
beam by the windy was the place
where
"Blockhead! I mean the string o.
bells"
AS the Captain plunged into dark
corner there was a jingle and the
string of bells suspended from a nail
hit him directly on the neck, SO like
the grasp of death-cold fingers that he
could not but start.
oh" said the Captain, nervously.
Here they are. Catch 'em, Job!
Halo, where's the trap-door?'
And it took the militiamen fully sixty
seconds or more to realize that the trap
door was closed and fastened on the
lower side He rushed to the window
and threw it up, only to see Job speed
ing up the hill.
The Captain danced up and down the
barn floor in an ecstacy of rage as Job
disappeared over the crest of the hill.
There was no use calling for help.
He knew very well that if he had pos
sessed the lungs of Boreas he could not
have made any one hear. He sat shiv-