The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-09-07

We'll" says Malina, "if that amt
queer! The deacon's just got a let.
ter from his cousins lawyers that he's
heir to $500 out o the old mans es-
tatei"
She nodded the quilted silk hood at
me with an air of triumph that could
not well controvert.
But what set me to thinkin' on
these old time stories was dream
had last night. bout this very same
niece I'm goin' to see, and it's wor-
ried me all day long"
Indeed, and what was it?"
well, I'll tell you. You see was
kind o. wakeful, thinkin' about the
journey today, and 1t was most mid
night afore | got to sleep. And 1t
seems as IL hadn't fairly closed my
eyes when | was in the little back par
lor at Wharton, and Helen-that's my
niece, Helen Powers-lyin' on a sofa
asleep. And there was tall, slim,
genteel-lookin' man stealin' up side
ways, with dagger, kind o shinin' in
the flrelight-for IL was dusk in my
dream, just as IL Is now-and he
seemed to strike 1t right square into
her heart, and | sittin' by like a log,
not able to move either hand or foot.
But, for all that, 1t didn't kill her
only seemed to paralyZe her, like! And
| was doin my best to scream out,
when / walked up, all of tremble,
with the dawn just beginnin' to peep
in the eastern sky!"
Mrs. Prickett had begun to cry soft
ly.
"My dear madam" reasoned with
her, soothingly," do not allow the fan
tastes of a dream to disturb you thus.
Probably you had eaten something that
disagreed with you, Cr---"
"Yes, yes, that's just what Prickett
used to say, but for all that I'm NOR
ally certain that something's goin' to
happen to Helen. And-law sakes
alive, how 1t snows"
We had stopped at little wayside
inn, and my companions attention was
! for the first time in some little period
attracted to the outer world of storm,
and pitchy darkness.
sir?" she questioned, as, the mails
having been delivered, we rolled on
once again.
Hardly, madam. We must be with.
in one of two miles of Wharton new"
IL shall be glad when we get there"
she said, with a little shudder. 81
can't nowadays get that slim feller
/ Ntyfth hn gin nj
black hair, strildn' at poor Helens
heart, out o. my mind! If the dream
| hadn't been so vivid, | wouldn't ha'
thought so much of it. Won't you have
a seedcake, sir?"
! She was diving down i~tn 40 hoe
pitable depths of her big travelling bag.
Thanks, not any,"
Got lar 10 go arter you reach Whar-
ton?"
About a mile"
Friends to meet you?"
Il think Sc"
Its dretful night"
And once more we subsided into 81
lence. until the suburban lights of the
overgrown village of Wharton reused
my companion once more into the talk
ative mood.
The stage had scarcely stopped be-
fcre clear voice, sweet and musical as
a bell, challenged Mrs. Prickett.
"Aunty, darling, | knew you would
come! Prince is here waiting with the
close carryall! | came down myself to
make sure of you!
You're sartin you're well, Helen?"
questioned Aunt Prickett, gazing eager
ly into one of the prettiest faces
had ever seen-a pure oval, with pink
cheeks, brilliant, hazel eyes, and deep
crimson lips, perhaps a trifie too full
for the exact regulation limit of beau
ty.
We'll, l never was better in my life.
What possesses you to ask such a ques-
ton, you dear, fussy old aunty?"
And Mrs. Pritchett was triumphantly
dragged away, while turned to find
the friend who | confidently believed
was expecting me.
But no friendly countenance met
mine in the gloom and darkness of the
stormy winters night. There had evil
IDENTIFY been some misunderstanding.
However, believed | could with sufii.
cient ease walk the mile or two-it was
a straight road to Eden Hall, | had
been told, and was just striding forth
into the darkness when Aunt Pricketts
shrill voice hailed me. and saw her
rosy old face thrust out between the
curtains of substantial family We
hicle, driven by a gray-headed old ne
gro and drawn by pair of fat, white
horses.
Young man, thought your frisods
were goin' to meet you?"
80 ! supposed, but as they are not
here. l am going to walk to Eden
Hall"
ITO Eden HALL" chimed a softer
: -'c',e. Impossible on such a night as
Why. !. is full two miles from