The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-10-11

Novel; for it makes attempt to conect
a bygone time with the present that
Is even now drifting away from US. 1t
IS legend, bringing with it the Mist
of the Past floating round each char
acter and event-even round the old
House itself
sometimes it drifts aside and you
catch glimpse of older days-days
when Colonel Pyncheon, out of the
pure covetousness, despoiled old Wiz
ard Maui of his house and little plot
or land-days when Maui cursed the
colonel for his sins and foretold ::
God would give him blood to drink"
days when Thomas Maui, son Of the
Wizard, built for Colonel Pyncheon
over his fathers very threshold, the
House of the Seven Gables.
On the day when Hepzibath Pynch-
con trod her pride underfoot and op-
ened the little cent-shop, built in the
front Gable of the old House, there
were but few of the Pyncheon blood
left Judge Pyncheon, his son (who
died abroad and enters not into this
tale), Hepzibath and her brother Cliff
ford, Little Phoebe Pincheon (who
had come for a long visit and few
cousins, were all. The race of Maui
was supposed extinct at least there
were none known.
Long since Hester had let one of
the Gables to daguerreotypist nam
ed HolgraVe; and none others were
In the old house save herself and
Clifford (now pardoned out after serv-
ing sentence for the supposed murder
of an uncle), and little Phoebe.
Judge Pyncheon was the great man
of the town; but. despite his ever-rea-
dy smile and studied benevolence. He
was not greatly liked. Hepzibath
shrank away from him and Clifford
shrieked when ne would have forced
his way in to see him.
/, Hepzibath and Clifford scarce left
the house even for the garden; but
Phoebe and young Holgrave met there
often; and the kindly Mist made itself
thin between them till they saw each
other clear and their hearts drew
close and Love came to them but
so softly and sweetly they knew it not
for Love, but called it by that other
sweet name Friendship.
Then Phoebe must needs go home
and with her went all the sunshine;
and the Mist drifted back-and all the
scant happiness that had come with
her to Hepzibath and Clifford for a
little, fled away.
When she had gone, the Judge be-
came even more determined to see
Clifford.
Cousin Hepzibah," he begged,
with his most benevolent smile.
Let me see Clifford,'
You cannot" said Hepzibah.
Since yesterday he hath kept his
bed"
"What?" cried the Judge rs he
i'll" Then | must and will see him.
There is none who would so delight
to promote his happiness and we'll
being. l beg of you TO let me see him,
Hepzibah,'
In the name of Heaven," cried
Hepzibah her anger overcoming her
fear, give over, l beseech you, this
your victim You let him go to pris-
on under false accusation. You hate
him! Say so, like man! At this
moment you cherish some black pur-
pose against him in your heart!
Speak it out! But never speak
again of your love for my brother"
The Judges benevolent countenan-
&c became hard.
is my fixed purpose to see Clifford
before leave this house. l will
give you my reason. OF my Uncle's
estate, which l inherited, not one-third
was apparent when he died. Clifford
can give me a clew to the recovery
of the remainder 1t is as certain as
that l stand here!"
And what if he refuses"
My dear cousin" smiled the Judge
blandly. The alternative is his con-
finement for the remainder Of his life,
in public asylum for the insane"
You cannot mean it," cried Hester;
but the Judge only shrugged his shout
ders and said: Time flies. Bid Cliff
ford come to me-; and Hester tur-
ned and went slowly up the stairs
and knocked at her brothers door
and called. None answered. After
a long waiting, she knocked again;
then she undid the door and entered
the chamber was empty.
Back she ran down stairs, calling
frantically:
Clifford is gone! Help, Jeffrey
Pyncheon! Some harm will come
to him!" She ran through the hail.
calling and searching for him. When
she approached the parlor door again,
Clifford stood in the door, coming from
within. He pointed his finger back
into the room.
Come, Hepzibah!" he cried with a
wild gesture. The weight is gone
from us. We can sing and laugh
now. Aye! we can be as light-heart-
ed as little Phoebe herself"
Horror stricken at his look and mot
ions, Hepzibah slipped past him into
the parlor Almost Immediately
she returned-a cry choking in her
throat.
my Cod" she cried, What will
become of us!'
Come with me-" cried Clifford,
still with that wild gayety. Put on
your cloak and hood, take your purse
with money in it, and GOMEZ"
Still with that wild gayety so for