The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-12-19

ticulateS fr1Shtfully with MS walking
stick" replied Elsie. II should be
afraid to get near enough to caress
him, and. besides. | think he proposed
to me during a brainstorm, and it
would be taking an unfair advantage
to accept. Don't you think him wee
bit daffy?" she asked me.
He's so nutty. Aunt Elise" I SOL
EMMY asseverated. that when he
strolls about in his ancestral groves
the squirrels pursue him."
Dear me! How extraordinary ex-
claimed literal Aunt Elise.
so, you see" observed Elise, latter
all, had better marry Gilbert"
II think so. too" l agreed. You
see, Aunt Elise. thanks to Uncle Am
brose. can earn a living for N.Y.
Here broke off abruptly and stared,
astounded. at that extraordinary clock.
Elsie. with her dear little jaw sagging
in sheer amazement, was staring too.
What are you two gaping atY de-
manded Aunt Elise in alarm. "Now,
why do you stare like stuck pigs?" she
queried a moment later, for Elsie and
sat as if spellbound listening.
We found ourselves listening to the
now familiar staccato-tapping of
telegraph instrument Clear and sharp
through the invisible sounder came
message tapped by an unseen key, and
mechanically - no. acknowledgment
dazed minds caught the message.
Elsie and Gilbert. my idle girl and
boy" ran the message. Patterson
has the money for you. Ask him for
it tonight 1t is my Christmas gift to
you. Merry Christmas! God bless you
both! Goodbye.
THE clock!" | gurgled. Its in the
clock! Listen" For after an interval
of hoarse. clucklike ticks the message
was repeated.
Now, why are you making such
fuss about that clock?" demanded
Aunt Elise. THAT clock never has
had sane. natural tick. 1t has al
ways made a noise just like that"
And this was true. Twice before we
had held our vigil in the workroom un-
needing, while the faithful clock had
patiently delivered the message which
we failed to comprehend.
'"There cannot possibly be a tele-
graph instrument in that clock" de-
clared Elsie. but there are little auto
matte transmitters with Morse alpha
bet records for students. you know"
"Elsie." l said after l had carefully
examined the vitals of that blessed
clock. you certainly are the original
Miss Nancy Know 1t All. There is an
automatic telegraph transmitter in
that clock. Here's the taper
Elsie eyed the coiled strip of paper
tape with its perforations correspond
ing to the dots and dashes of the Morse
alphabet with much interest.
Nov for Patterson" l interrupted
"I'll wager that he has been chuckling
in his sleeve these past three years
I'm going to call him up this instant
l hope that I'll get to rouse him from
his beauty sleep" continued mali
ciousy
But in this | was disappointed. for
he answered the phone promptly.
This is Gilbert Ashcraft speaking"
i DeSdu Will iIluCu ulSIlIy. MISS ElSlc
Martin and | would like definite infor
nation concerning the money be-
queathed us by Ambrose Breen. which
he left in your care"
There was moments silence; then
chuckle trilled melodiously over the
telephone Say. young man." said
Lawyer Patterson. you're all right,
and Miss Elsie too Great scheme Of
Breen's. wasn't III You'll find your
bank books. deposit slips and other pa
pers in the package that | left with
your Aunt Elise yesterday Merry
Christmas. Good night. son."
And that's ali. believe. except that
! Elsie and are married, and it ia our
! present intention to live happy ever
! afterward." We hold dear. wise old
Uncle Ambrose in grateful memory
and We do not permit even that fat
spoiled rascal. Ambrose Rreen Ash
craft, to tamper with that clock