The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-12-09

"s@nNse @eheG " pONt
~ YOUR courtesy, beg you to
call this tale romance, rather
than novel; for It makes AT
tempt to connect bygone time with
the present that Is, even now drifting
away from us. tits legend, bringing
with II the mist Of the past floating
round each character and event-even
round the old house Itself.
Sometimes II drifts aside and you
catch glimpse of older days-days
when Colonel Pyncheon, out of pure
covetousness, despoiled old Wizard
Maule of his house and little plot of
land-days when Maufe cursed the
colonel for his sins and foretold: God
would give him blood to drink !"-days
when Thomas Maule, son Of the wiz
ard, built for Colonel Pyncheon over
his fathers very threshold, the House
of the Seven Gables.
On the day when Hepzibah Pyncheon
trod her pride underfoot and opened
the little cent-shQp. 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), Hepzi-.
bah and her brother Clifford, little
Phoebe Pyncheon (who had come for
a long visit) and few cousins. were
all. The race of Maule was supposed
extlnct-at least there were none
known.
Long since Hester had let one of the
gables to a daguerreotypist named Hol-
grave; and none others were In the
old house save herself and Clifford
Cnow pardoned out after serving SEN
tence for che supposed murder Of an
uncle), and little Phoebe.
Judge PyncheOn was the great man
of the town; but, despite his ever
ready smile and studied benevolence,
he was not greatly liked. Hepzibah
shrank away from him and Clifford
sirieked when he would have forced
his way In to see nm.
Hepzibah 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 1t not for love,
but called It by that other sweet name
friendship. FaR
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 Hepzibah and Clifford for a lit
tie. fed away.
When she had gone the Judge be-
came even more determined to see
Clifford.
.Cousln Hepzibah, he begged. with
his most benevolent smile. '1et me see
clifford"
"You cannot" said Hepzibah. "SInce
yesterday he hath kept his bed"
"whatr cried the Judge. 'is he Ill?
Then I must and viii see him. There
is none who would so delight to pro-
mote his happiness and wellbeing. I
beg Of you to let me see him. Hepzi-
bah"
I'm the name Of Heaven" cried
Hepzibah, her anger overcoming her
fear, "giye over. beseech you, this
ioathsome pretence Of affection for
your victim. You let him so TO prison
under false accusation. You hate him
Say so. like a man! At this moment
you cherish some black purpose against
him In your heart Speak 1t outi But
never speak again Of your love for my
poor brother"
The judges benevolent countenance
became hard.
"Cousln Hepzibah," he said. 'it is my |
fixed purpose to see Clifford before ]
leave this house will give Tou my |
reason. OF my uncle's estate. which
Inherited. not One-third was apparent |