The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-12-22
CHAPTER XXI.

A soft evening in June. The sky of a
deep, cloudless blue, save towards the
west, where the sun is sinking into sea
of crimson light Not breath Of air is
stirring-the trees are motionless; not
the culver of a leaf. There is buzz Of
insect life in the air. mingled with the
music of the birds. Upon a lawn, over
which is scattered numerous flower beds,
gay with bright colored blossoms, stretch
ing before picturesque cottage covered
with roses, sit three men. One is young.
not more than twenty; the second is
stout. f1orid, benevolent looking M
the third is thin-visaged, sad-leokl
with iron-gray hair. The three men
were l, Silas Morant. Mr.. Jonathan Rod
speaking-"What his ultimate intentions
could have been, am at a loss to I'M
derstand. Probably to cast me, in my
insensible state, into the flames"
Which, it seems, after all, he did not
kindle," said Mr.. Jonathan, shuddering
ar the remembrance.
THAT is the most wonderful circum-
stance of all. Chance, or destiny. or
whatever you please to call it, had actu-
ally anticipated him, Porter must have
overthrown his lamp in a state of stupor
Judith lived long enough to tell how she
had seen the fire first in her fathers
room, and he lying across the chair, dead
or insensible."
II could not help plying the unfortu-
nate creature" said Mr.. Jonathan, ''in
spite of the evil she had wrought. She
at least deserved a better fate than to
perish by the brutal violence OF the man
whom she loved so devotedly."
Il have often thought" said my faith
er, what divine mercy it was that
only one of the kilograms fell into that
wretched mans hands. 1t appears that
the lad had put one in his pocket-the
one addressed to you, Mr.. Rodwell-and
was holding the other in his hand, when
he ran against his master. who snatched
it from him and forbade him to leave
the house. The lad said nothing about
the other, but watched his opportunity
to leave the premises, and deliver it at
the Office. The delay, however, was very
near proving fatal to more than one of
u.s.
THAT unhappy man." said Mr.. JoDa-
than, ''had telegraphed to say that he
would be with me that night. But 1
felt half inclined to start for Essex with
out waiting for him, and chance the con-
dition of the house. But look! here are
two old friends of yours coming this
way. Silas."
pathway towards the house were Martha
Jennings and Josiah Cook.
/ FASTENED to meet the good, kind crea-
y
clothed me when 1 was houseless and
destitute. She was dressed with UNI
usual smartness-a white bonnet, blue
silk dress, and bright-colored, or rath-
er many-colored, shawl. Josiah was also
got up in an unusual style; bright green
satin necktie, buff waistcoat and white
hat.
After a little conversation, the secret
came out; the worthy pair had been mar
ried that morning.
Married. l exclaimed; why | had
not the least idea that such thing was
ever thought Off
mo moro had we, Master Silss, a
few weeks ago." answered Martha.
olushing, and. you know, you have not
seen us since Christmas. So. as you
had kindly sent me an invitation to come
down and see you, l thought 1 would
take the liberty to bring Josiah along
with me. and make it sort of marriage
trip"
Il am very much delighted to see you
both, and you shall stay with us for
your honeymoon, said, shaking a hand
Of each. "But you might as we'll have
Invited US to your wedding"
Martha laughed and blushed; and then
my father and Mr.. Jonathan offered their
warm congratulations to the happy bride
and bridegroom.
"And are you still at the Corinthian.
JcsiahT 2" inquired.
NO." he answered; martha has per-
suaded me to relinquish public life. and
her father has procured for me an APP
pointment upon the railway as q porter. .
A little time afterwards. Martha came
to me with radiant counteDance. ~Only
think" she said; that dear. good Mr..
Jonathan is going to set fus up in hush
ness for your sake! And, Master SiIas,
what did use to say when you made
such a fuss about the little could do
for you-didn't ] ten ron you wculd be