Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-05-14

, |
at once, it is told, and there was n
long pause; then came the second and
the third. All sounded like blows on
an empty coffin. At the third Sir
Thomas drew niuIsaif- a.. 49,.
hln ,.~n on MS face, brought up his
sword in salute, stood thus rs, che
might count i've, then pitched forward
dead
"Splendld! Go on"' she exclaimed
softly. her eyes shining and her hands
tightly clasped.
There are stories OF how three gay
young bloods Of the Mayhews gambled
for the right to set the clock going by
the candle lights of the bier. and how,
when one Of them, by cheating, won
the right, the dead man called his
name and sat up, then fell back again,
, and he was so scared that he confessed
and promptly fors ,ok his evil ways,
and hied him unto a monastery. There
over on the third step of the stairs is
where Richard Mayhem fell fighting
with his brother. The housekceper
always shows visitors the bloodstalns
} in the wood, but l believe she put
them there herself. There is another
story Of how Il despised and cruelty
treated wife took her revenge ON her
husband by shutting him up in the
clock, where he nearly starved to
death. and certainly was insane all the
rest of his life. My uncle got the house
as a wedding gift and set the clock
going after his father had stopped it,
with all the guests lurrahing. ! came
down the stairs Mt o'clock on the
morning my uncle died, the worst
frightened boy you ever saw, and
opened the case and stopped the pen.
dulum. | don't know whether blub-
bercd or shivered the more, but the
hall was all sliding shadows and quiv-
cry splatters of moonlight, and there
was winding sheet in the candle, and
the hOusekeeper was gasping and
moaning. Lord. ha' mercy! Lord
What is that? Then. after the funeral,
for am the last Of the Mayhews,
started the clock as s. the t hsll rang. 1t
Il wonder that you don't hate me.
Perhaps YOU do" Miss Dunn began,
after a long silence and with certain
angry enthusiasm. How you can
bear 10 part with it l don't see. I'd
my myers IL TIE DOne DefOre ia
sell it to strangers"
Sir Roberts face turned scarlet and
he rose, tanning his hands deep In his
pockets.
1T is---that is, /" he stopped and
began again: Your father has been
good enough to say that IL he ever
wants to sell he will give me first
chance to buy 1t back. l Couldn't
like even that slight hope"
Miss Dunn put her elbow on her
knee and her chin in her hand and
stared at the floor. Her face now was
scarlet, and she frowned.
II hope you won't mind If say that
l." he said, that it's the pleasant.
est part of the whole affair to think
that you are here and that you will be
the one to-as I hope you will-to set
the clock going Ind to keep it wound.
1t will be very pleasant thought to
me when I'm in Africa. The incest
thought"
Are You going to stop it," she
asked in whisper.
Yes" he said simply. and she rose
and stood before the open door looking
down Mt him.
I'D rather You wouldn't" she said.
"Rut I-Well, you see, 1 can't explain
it. but, feel as If couldn't let 1t so
on rs ii for me-"
| Il can't think"-slle turned her head
its ever going on for any one else
I couldn't stand its ticking If l started
| IT. Don't you see? 1t would be re-
proach. But If It goes on as it always
has TO: yOL | should somehow think
that you always had the hope of COM
ing back und--and-of course
wouldn't keep the place from YOU
IF did" he said, slowly. land !
drove you away, l am afraid that ]
wouldn't like it. l should see the
ghost of yon in every room. Besides,
it's nonsense he broke out abruptly
that hope. Yon will be married and
there are years to look forward to-"
Miss Dunn put her hand OH his arm
rs he extended it toward the pen
dulum.
Il am afraid that yon have proud.
and naughty spirit" she caught her
breath. II don't think that-Tm sure
| that there's 10 chance from the way
things are going that shall be mar
rled." She began to laugh nervOusly
/ LOT hn ha
sitiOn of steward OF the clock?"
! Miss Dunn" Sir Robert took her
| han,l from his arm aud held it firmly.
Il think told yOu that didn't want
| to see YOU again. If could have held
! this place and wasn't poor beggar
there Is just one thing that l could
have desired, and that is to have.
Well, you seq you are going to live here
after all, though. haven't any right
to tell yOu this. It's cowardly TO take
advantage Of your sweet kindness.
But l couldn't help it. That's why
l was afraid to see y0T. God bless
YOU
He kissed her hand solemnly, and
feeling it shnLe looked at her to tind
that she was laughing silently.
Il beg your pardon" he Strengthened
and dropped her hand. II knew that
I was fool. but you needn't rub it
in that way
"What do You think that you've
said:" she asked with a gasp
oh merely the trivial jest, dare
Say. su; pose tl.nt it is because l am
toS English. but can't see why it's so
awfnlly |. uciItl,, | never had q girl
! laugh before because / said | loved
hei."