Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-21

amazed ana Iull or strange
 wonder because he did not ~ A know what had amazed him. A chime of bells sounded from church steeple across the square. ringing out in assured righteousness, summoning the good people who maintained them to come and sit bereath them or be taken to task, and they fell so dismal ly upon Joe's ear that he bestirred him. self and rose, to the delight of his mon grel. who leaped upon him joyfully. An hour later or thereabout the pair emerged from the narrow stairway and stood for a moment. blinking in the fair sunshine. apparently undecided which way to go. The church bells were silent. There was no breeze. The air trembled little with the deep pip ings of the organ across the square, and, save for that, the town was very quiet. The paths which crossed the courthouse yard were 6ecked with steady shadow, the strong young foli. age of the naples not moving. having the air of observing the Sabbath with propriety. The organ ceased to stir the air, and all was in quiet. yet a quiet which for Louden was not peace. He looked at his watch and, without intending 1t, spoke the hour aloud. "A quarter past IL" The sound of his own voice gave him little shock. He rose without knowing why. and e he did so 1t seemed to him that he heard close to his ear another voice. q woman's, troubled and insistent, but clear and sweet, saying:
 Remember! Across Main street bridge at noon"
 It was so distinct that be started and looked round. Then he laughed. "I'll be seeing circus parades next" His laughter fled. for. louder than the ring ing in his ears, unmistakably came the strains of q faraway brass band which had no existence on land or sea or in the waters under the earth.
 "Herew he said to the mongrel. we need a walk, I think. Let's you and me move on before the camels turn the corner"
 The music followed him to the street, where he turned westward toward the river. and presently as he walked on. flaming himself with his straw hat, 1t faded and was gone. But the voice he had heard returned.
 Remember, Across Main street bridge at noon-' it said again close to bis ear.
 This time be did not start. "All right" he answered. wIping his fore head. If you'll let me alone, I'll be there-
 At a dingy saloon corner near the river a shabby little man greeted him heartily and petted the mongrel. "rm mighty glad you didn't go. after all. JOe.- he added. with a brightehing face.
 GO where. Happy
 Mfr. Fear looked grave. Don't you rec-lect meetin' me last nightT'
 I.ouden shook his head. "No. Did IY
 The others jaw fell. and his brow corrugated with self reproaeh- Well. If that don't show what thick head am, I thought ye wss all right CT I'd gone on with ye. Nobody cd "a walk cd s.raighter ner talked straighter. Said ye was scin' to leave Canaan fer good and didn't want nobody to know it. Said ye vas gOin' to take the 'Ieven o'clock through train fer the west and told me couldn't come to the deepo with ye. Said ye'd had enough Q Ca naan and of everything foIlered ye part way t1 the deepo. but ye turDed sud made a motion fer me to % hack. and I done it becsuse ye seemed 10 be kind of in trouble. and I thought yed ruthe- he by yerself We'll sir. it's ore on ne"
 Not ct sI.- said Joe. ~I vss all right
 -wss yeZ- returned the other Do remember. do yey
 -Alnoet-" Joe smiled fsfntiy-
 -AlDost.- ech7ed Hspry- shaking his bezd serio1sy- T teI xe. Joe ef l vas