The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1915-10-27
FOURTEENTH INSTALLMENT
cELEsTIA HEARS THE TRUTH.

The sound was not repeated. Grad
ually the professors snarled lips re-
Iaxed and closed over his teeth. But
for some time longer he stood listen
ing and trying to see into the shadows.
Then he turned to Celestia and, after
a moment OF silent and greedy contem-
plation. spoke.
I'VE are going to be married" he
said. I'VE are about to enter the
church" And he followed suggestion
by suggestion. it is not quite clear why
unless he had in him streak Of that
quality which causes a cat to play with
a mouse.
In Celestia's mind rose shadowy
picture of an altar, of a clergyman In
a white surplice, of candles that
burned in candelabra, of an altar boy,
of a great bell made of flowers. She
was standing facing the clergyman
and the altar. at the foot of the steps
which led to 1t.
Now she was being married. The
clergyman was asking her some long
solemn question. Now she was repeat
ing words after him, but only with her
lips.
81, Celestia, take"
Freddie the Ferret had never been
more puzzled in his life. He was not
very familiar with the marriage cere-
mony, but still he recognized the fact
that Professor Stilliter and Celestia,
standing little way from the log hut,
we're going through something of the
kind.
, Driven by a curiosity which over
mastered his fear of Stilliter Freddie
crept out of his hiding place and ad-
vanced over a broad outcropping Of
granite on feet which made no sound
I. The mockery of a marriage service
over, Professor Stilliter no longer
made any effort at self-control; he
seized her in his arms, and was him
self seized by the collar and Jerked
vigorously backward. ~7'-
II was so sudden and so unexpected
that for a moment Professor Stilliter's
heart stood still, and he almost died
of fright. Then with a kind of whin-
ing cry he tore himself loose and faced
about.
Something bright and shining
flashed in the moonlight, there was a
sound of glass shivered to atoms, and
for the moment Professor Stilliter was
stone blind.
He gave a grunt of rage and reached
into his waistcoat pocket for the case
which he supposed contained his one
remaining spare pair Of glasses. AS
we know, the case was empty.
Unnamed by this horrible surprise,
the professor forgot his intended vic
tim for a moment and Freddie, Selling
the golden opportunity, made des'
perate effort, capsized the professor,
eluded the snatch which the latter
made at him, and won free.
Professor Stilliter rose slowly to
his feet, his face pale as with the an
ticipation of death. So he stood mo
ment, and then in a voice that shook
he called to Celestia, who had re-
mained standing in front OF the hut
"Come here, Celestial" he called.
She moved obediently toward him
But the Ferret threw himself In heI
way, Some instinct told him that
these two people must be kept apart
Celestia did her best to reach Stilliter
but Freddie prevented her by force
He threw his skinny arms around hel
and dragged her slowly in an opposit'
direction.
Stilliter did not repeat the order Il
"come." He merely called to her L
hurry" And obediently she hurried
but In the direction which Freddie ha'
been forcing her to take. She had hur
ried a hundred feet before Stillite
realized his mistake. He called to he
10 stop. to turn back, 10 come to him
and all these things she tried to dc
but Freddie would not let her.
Professor Stilliter's commands Z
Celestia grew fainter and fainter ur
III at last they could no longer b
heard And now the moon had ss'l'