Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-03-11
8. Barring GOULD
CHAPTER XIX.
The Old Gun.

chair with his stick in his hands,-In
both hands, held across him, and now
ard then he put the stick up to his
mouth and gnawed at it in the middle
1t others he made a sudden move
ment, slipping his hand down to the
ferule and striking In the air with the
handle at the black spots which
6oated in the darkness, of black
ness most intense. He was leased
by them, and by his inability to strike
them aside. a His stick went through
them, as through ink, and they closed
again when cut, and drifted on
through his circle of vision unhurt,
undisturbed.
Mr.. Coyshe was gone; he had or
dered the old man to be left as much
In quiet as might be, and he had
taken a boy from the farm with him
on a horse, to bring back a soothing
draught which he promised to send
Mr.. Jordan had complained Of sleep
leszness, his nerves were evidently in
a high and perilous state Of tension
Before he left, Mr.. Coyshe had said
10 Barbara, Keep your eye on your
father, there is Irritation somewhere.
He talks in an UnreasOning manner.
7 win send him something to compose
him, and call again tomorrow. In
the meantime, he coughed, Il
would not allow him to shave him
self
Barbara's blood curdIed. You do
not think She was unable to finish
her sentence.
DO as I say, and do not allow him
to suppose himself to be watched
Now Barbara acted with unfOrtun,
ate indesCretion. Knowing that her
father was suspicious Of her, and com
planned Of her observing him, know
ing also that his suspicious extended
70 Jasper whom she disIiked, know
ing also that he had taken liking
for Jane, she babe Jane remain about
her father, and not allow him to be
many minutes unmatched.
Jane Immediately went to the old
gentleman, and told him the instruc-
tons given her. 'And-pIease your
honor she crept close to him, I've
seen him. He is on the Raven Rock.
He has lighted a fire and is warming
himself. l think it be the very man
that was took here, but I can't say
for certain, as I didn't see the face of
him as was took, nor of him on the
Rock, but they be both men, and
much about height
Jane! Is Joseph anywhere about
No slr,-not higher than Tavis-
took
Go to him Immediately. Bid him
collect what men he can, and sur
round the fellow and secure him
But, your honor! Miss Barbara said
was to watch you as a cat watches
a mouse
Who is master here, I or she? I
order you to go; and If she is angry
will protect you against her. l am
to be watched, am I? BY my own
children? By my servant This Is
more than l can bear. The whole
world is cOnspiring against me. How
can I trust anyone-even Jane? How
can I say that the police were not
5ribed before they let him go? And
they may be bribed again. Trust none
but myself he muttered, and stood
up.
Please MASTER said Jane you may
be certain l will do what you want.
I'm not like some folks, as is unnat-
ural to their very parents. Why,
sir! what do you think AS I were
coming in, who should run by me,
looking the pictur' of fear. but Miss
Eve. And where do y think her
ruined? Why, sir-I watched her. and
she went as fast as a leaping hare
over the fields towards the Raven
Rock-to where he be. Well, I'm
sure I'd not do that. I don't mind a
going to love feasts in chapel with
Joseph, but I wouldn't go seeking him
in a wood. Some folks have 100
much self-respect for that, I reckon.
She muttered this looking up at the
old man, uncertain how he would take
it,
Co said he. Leace me-go at
once
Presently Barbara came IN. and
found her father alone.
What nc one with you papa
No want to be alone. Do Won
grudge me quiet? Must I live under :
microscope Must I have everything
l do marked, every word noted? WHY
do you peer in here? Am an escaped
telon to be guarded? Am I likely to
break out VIII you leave me? I tell
you l do not want you here. I desire
solitude. I have had you and Coysha
and Eve jabbering here till my head
spins and my temples are bursting.
Leave me alone Then, with the
craftiness Of incipient arrangement
he said, I have had two-three bad
nights, and want sleep. I was doing
In my chair when Jane came in 10
light the fire. I sent her out. Then.
when l was nodding off again.
heard cook or Jasper tramping
through the hall. That reused me. and
now when I hoped to compose myself
again, you thrust yourself upon me:
are you all in league to drive me
mad by forbidding me sleep? Tha,
is how Hopkins, the witch-fnder. got
the poor witches to confess. He
would not suffer them to sleep. and
at last, in sheer madness and hunger
for rest. they confessed whatever was
desired of them. You want to force
something out of me. That IS why
you will not let me sleep