New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-10
OUNCE By "
BY w. w. JACOBS.

crust o bread or an extra half pint water you've
only got to mention 1t. When she's gone I'll have
a hunt for that key. you so back to your
father and help him to understand his law books
better"
He strobe Off with the air Of a conqueror. and,
having occasion to go 10 the village. looked in at
the shoemaker's window as he passed and smiled
broadly.
For years Little Haven had regarded Mr. Ounce
with being far dangerous a man for
the lay mind to tamper with and at one stroke the
farmer had revealed the hollowness of his preten-
sions. Only that morning the wife Of a laborer
had called and asked him to hurry the mending OF
pair of boots She was a voluble woman. and.
having overcome her preliminary nervousness,
more than limited that If he gave less time the
law and more 70 his trade it would be better for
himself and everybody else
Miss Rose accepted her lot In a spirit Of dutiful
resignation. and Saturday morning after her
fathers admonitiou not 10 forget that the coach
left the White Swan at . o'clock sharp set of 10
pay a few farewell visits BY 1880 O'Clock she had
finished, and Lawyer ounce becoming conscious
OF shadow on his work. looked up 10 see her
standing before the window He replied TO her be-
Wltching smile with a short nod and became intent
upon his work again.
For short time Celia fingered: then to his
establishment. she opened the gate and walked past
the side OF the house into the garden With grow
Ing establishment he observed her enter his tooshed
and close the door behind her
For ten minutes he worked on. and then curl
osity getting the better OF him he walked slowly
10 the toolshed and. opening the door q little way
peeped In 1t was a small shed crowded with
agricultural implements. The floor was occupied
by an upturned wheeIbarrow. and. sitting on the
barrow. with her soft cheek leaning aginst the
wall. sat Miss Rose. fast asleep
AR ounce coughed several times. each cough
being louder than the last and then treadng
softly was about to return to the workshop when
the Erl stirred and muttered In her sleep At first
she was unintelIigible, then he distinctly caught
the words idiot and 'bockhead"
She's dreaming of somebody" said Mr. Ounce
to himself with conviction. Wonder who It is?''
Cant sea thing-under- hs-nose" nurmured
the fair sleeper
Celia" said Mr. Ounce sharply Cellar.
He took a hoe from the wall and prodded her
gently with the handle. a sIngularly vicious ex
preston marred the soft features. but that was
all
Cellar said the shoemaker. who feared sun
stroke.
Fancy-it he-had-a moments common sense
murmured Celia. drowsiy. and Iocked-the door,
Lawyer Ounce dropped the hoe with a CHATTER
and stood regarding her open-mouthed. He was a
careful man with his property. and the stout door
boosted good lock He sped to the house on
tiptoe. and taking the key from its nail on m,
kitchen dresser returned to the she'd and after
another puzzled glance at the sleeping girl locked
her in
For half hour he sat in silent endowment OF
the situation-enjoyment which would have baeD IN
creased If he could have seen Mr. Rose standing
at the gate of Holly Farm casting anxious chances
up and down the road Celias luggage had gone
down to the White Swan, and an excellent cold
luncheon was awaiting her attention in the living
room.
Half-past one came and no Celia and five min
utes later two farm laborers and a hoy numbered
OF in different directions in search the missing
girl with instructions that she to go straight
10 the White Swan 10 meet the coach The farmer
himself walked down q rpir a,
mind heated lecture composed for the occasion
but the coach came and. after a cheerful hustle
anu the consumption of sundry mugs Of beer. sped
its way again.
He returned home in silent Consideration ssakir,,
in vain for satisfactory explanation Of the mys-
terry For robust young woman to disappear in
broad daylight and leave no trace behind her was
extraordinary. Then p sudden sinking sensation
In the region of the waistcoat an idea occurred
simultaneously
He walked down to the village again. the idea
growing steadily all the way Lawyer Ounce was
hard at work as usual as he passed. He went by
the window three times and gazed wistfuIIy at the
cottage Coming to the conclusion at last that two
heads were better than in such business. he
walked on TO the mill and sought Mr.. Hogs.
That's what it IS" said the miller as he
breathed his suspicious. II thought all along Law
yer Ounce would have the laugh of YOU He's
wonderful deep Now. let's go to work cautious
like Try and look as if nothing had happened"
Mr.. Rose tried.
lES dbIiIi SalG the miller, with
Get the red out O. your face and let your ewes
go back and don't look though you're going to
bite somebody
Mr.. Rose swallowed angry retort, and with
an attempt at careless ease sauntered up the road
with the miller to the shoemaker's. Lawyer Ounce
was stin busy and looked up inquirIngly as they
passed before him.
i s'pose,' said the diplomatic Mr. Hogg. who
we'll acquainted with his neighbours tidy aud
methodical habits Il spose you couldn't lend me
your barrow for half hour? The wheels of
mine"
Mr. Ounce hesitated and then favored him with
a glance intended to remind him Of his scurvv
behavior three days before.
you can have it, he said az last, rising
Mr. Hogg pinehed his friend IN his excitement |
and both watched Mr.. Ounce with bated breath
as he took long. slow strides toward the tool shed
He tried the door and then went into the house |
and even before his temperance both gentlemen |
knew only too well what was about TO haupen /
Red was al too poor word 70 apply 70 Ar