Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-12-20


were imaginary, that his rheumatism
was merely another name for his
grabbed perversity, and an excuse for
his increasing Incidence.
AS he sat smoking and Eliminating,
his thoughts travelled along that bleak
road to the church, and back into
blither old Christmases when he had
toiled robustly, with his assistant, high
up in the crazy tower, and they had
kept the three bells swinging and
pealing joyously from eight O'Clock till
midnight, with short rests between
whites, and one long rest when steam
ing hot coffee and toast had been car
ried up the narrow, steep stairs to
them by homely, CHEEKY little wom-
an, who was his wife, and merry
eyed. winsome maid. who was their
daughter Alice.
But that had happened for the last
time-how many Christmases ago?
Why, already eight winters had
showed over that mound in the church.
yard. And this was the fourth year
since Alice had deserted him in his
loneliness, and he had set himself to
forget her.
He had not forgotten yet, though;
nc- forgiven her.
In defiance Of his imperative be-
hests, she had married the ne'er-do-
weel son of tradesman in the town
yonder, and they had gone away to
London. She had written to him thrice,
but he burned her first letter and re-
turned the others unopened, and, il
he had not forgotten her, her name
was never on his lips.
At length, few months ago, the
village heard that her husband was
dead. She had written to a neighbor
saying she and her baby were desti-
tute, and begging that she would in
tercede and ask her father to forgive
her and let her come home.
But Bargle, mindful Of his dignity,
| hardened himself, and, resenting this
intercession as an impertinence, curt
ly advised the peacemaker not to med
die in his business again; hot words
passed between them, and she flung
| of in such whirl of Indignation that
| her reply to Alice apparently scared
the girl from attempting any further
| overtures.
Absorbed as he was in these regret
full reveries, a sudden sound broke in
upon him, and he started, glancing
around dazedly and wondering wheth-
! er he had been asleep.
But no!-as he listened, breathless,
the sound was repeated; single, deep
clang of the church bell.
No wind was stirring, and he had
the keys Of the belfry; yeti was mo-
trick of his imagination, for, after a
tense interval, another dull clang
echoed down the night; and presently
another, like the booming of a funeral
knell.
With a chill creeping up his spine,
the gray, gnarled old man recalled a
| legend that the belfry was haunted by
the ghost of a man who had wronged
4 friend, and, in fit of remorse, had
| flung himself from the tower on some
forgotten Christmas; Bargle had
known folks who spoke to hearing the
bell toll mysteriously on Christmas
ewes before he was born, but he had
not half believed them, and had never
heard it himself-until now.
That was it sounding again!
He was no coward nor superstitious.
and swift, irresistible impulse seized
| and drove him to fathom this strange
happening. ..~ s@.
His very excitement braced him and
! put new strength into his limbs. He
lighted lantern, and, helping his
hating steps with stout stick, made
fo- the village and walked up the youth
who assisted him in his duties.
"Dost hear yon bell, Amos" he
called. quaveringly.
'Ey, MIR. Bargle,' and Bargle Was
relieved to have his hearing thus cor
roborated. Who be it COP there. I
wonner?"
Put your coat on smartly, lad. I'm
goin' to- SEE" ~ =.
Silent, and quaking with cold or
nervousness. they moved noiselessly
over the munling snow, turned the
wall of the churchyard, and, Rargle
grimly leading, filed in through the
creaking lych gate. s-
The narrow path between the gl~res
brought them to the porch, and here
Bargle, who entered first. stopped.
fumbling for his keys, and suddenly
held the lantern lower with = husky
cry Of alarm. ss FL
In the glimmering light OF the Ian
tern, q woman lay huddled close to
the church door, with ! child rolled in
q shawl, and clasped tightly in her
arms. <%.. !. W. &.
Alice! faltered the old man, '.Alice!""
He flung himself on his knees be-
side her, crying out, clasping her cold
hands, and appealing wildly and help
lessly: to those who were with him, for
she lay as still and unresponsive Is
4 she were dead. z..=
They took the child. which woke
and whimpered. and dispatched Amos:
With i % the nearest oottaEe.