Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1905-12-21

my bells. Mr.. Edwards. .
he protested 1--WE rurg 'em over 80
year, an II I amt elal to IL this
Christmas-why, let EN- do without
Tor once. that's ALI"
Seems a pity. though. Barsle. don't
you thinkr The vicar spoke per
suasiveiy- He was young and difident
and new to Peridale. and the sexton
Vas erotchety and opinionated. The
last vicar had slipped into an easy
habit Of deferring to his long expe-
rtenee. and this had made him AFRO
CANT 1t Is a fine old custom. Bar
gle"
There1l be the chimes at the par
ish church over the hill yonder." Bar
gle Interrupted. testify; they sound
here In the village quite plain. an
folks must make the best o. that an
be thankful"
There was a deal OF grumbling about
II In the village; Bargle knew that.
and took a morbid pride in feeling
that he was having his own way.
People were limiting that his ailments
we're imaginary. that his rheumatism
was merely another name for his
grabbed perversity. and an excuse for
his increasing Incidence.
As he sat smoking and Illuminating.
his thoughts travelled along that bleak
road TO the church. and back into
biither 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 ioyously from eight O'Clock till
midnight. with short rests between
vhiles. and one long rest when steam
Ing hot coffee and toast had been car
ried up the narrow. steep stairs to
them by q homely. CHEEKY little wom-
m. who was his wife, and a merry
eyed. winsome maid. who was their
daughter Alice.
But that had happened for the last
Gme-how mtny 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;
nor forgiven her.
In defiance Of his imperative be-
hests. she had married the ne'er-do-
weel son Of a 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. If
he had not forgotten her. her name
vas never on his lips.
At length. a 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
tntercession as an impertinence. curt
ly advised the peacemaker not to med
die in his business again: hot words
passed between them, and she flung
Oh In such whirl OF indignation that
her reply to Alice apparently scared
the girl from attempting any further
overtures.
Absorbed as be was In these regret
ful reveries, q sudden sound broke in
upon him, and he started, glancing
around dazedly and wondering wheth-
Or he had been asleep.
But no,-as he listened. breathless,
the sound was repeated; a single. deep
clang Of the church bell
No wind was stirring. and he had
the keys Of the belfry; yet-it was mo-
trick Of his imagination. for. after q
tense interval. another dull clang
echoed down the night; and presently
another, like the booming Of = funeral
knell
With q 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
. friend. and, In a fit OF remorse, had
aung 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 1t himself-until now
That was it sounding again.
He was no coward nor superstitious.
and q swift. irresistible impulse seized
and drove him to fathom this strange
happening.
His very excitement braced him and
put new strength into his limbs He
lighted q lantern, and. helping his
halting steps with a stout stick. made
for the village and walked up the youth
who assisted him in his duties
-Dost hear yon bell. Amos2 hs
called. quayeringly.
"Ey. Mr.. Bargle," and Bargle was
relieved to have his hearing thus cor
roborated. who be it oop there. l
wonner?"
PUT your coat ON smartly, lad. I'm
goin' to see"
Silent. and quaking with cold or
nervousness, they moved noiselessly
over the mufiing snow. turned the
wall Of the churchyard. and. Bargle
grimly leading, filed in through the
ereaking lych gate.
The narrow path between the graves
brought them to the porch, and here
Bargle, who entered first, stopped.
fumhling for his keys, and suddenly
held the lantern lower with husky
ery Of alarm
In the glimmering light Of the Ian
tern. . woman lay huddled close to
The church door, with q child rolled In
. shawl and clasped tightly in her
arms.
"Alics! fAltered the old man. "Alice!"
He nung himself on his knees be-
eide her. crying out, clasping her cold
AandA and appealing wildly and help
,essly to those who were with him, for
eAe lay n still and unresponsive as
q abe we're dead
Ihsy took the child. which woke