The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-12-14
NF YOUR courtesy, I beg you to
call this tale romance, rather
~ fhnn q novel: for II makes af.

NF YOUR courtesy. I beg you to
call this tale a romance, rather
~ than novel; for it makes at
tempt to connect a bygone time with
the present that is even now drifting
away from US. It is legend. bringing
with 1t the mist of the past floating
round each character and event-even
round the old house itself.
Sometimes 1t drifts aside and you
catch glimpse of older days-days
when Colonel Pyncheon. out of pure
coyetousness, despoiled old Wizard
Maule of his house and little plot Of
land-days when Maule 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-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), Hepzi-
bah and her brother Clifford, little
Phoebe Pyncheon (who had come for
long visit) and few cousins, were
oil. The race Of Maule was supposed
extinct-at least there were none
known.
Long since Hester had let one Of the
gables to daguerreotypist named Hol-
grave; and none others were in the
oid house save herself and Clifford
NOW pardoned out after serving SEN
fence for the supposed murder of an
uncle), and little Phoebe.
Judge Pyncheon was the great man
the town; but, despite his ever
ready smile and studied benevolence,
ne was not greatly liked. Hepzibah
snrank away from him and Clifford
sar'eked when he would have forced
his way In to see him.
hepzibah and Clifford scarce left
tne mouse even for the garden; but
inoeoe and young Holgrave met there
Ul.en and the kindly mist made itself
Jun between them tin they saw each
O.aes clear and their hearts drew close
ano love came to them-but SO softly
ana sweetly they knew it not for love,
W. called 1t by that other sweet name
friendship.
.nen Fhoebe must needs 60 home
ano with her went oil the sunshine
suu .ne mist drifted back-and all the
seant happiness that had come with
ser TO Hepzibah and Clifford for lit
ue fled away.
"nen she had gone the Judge be-
Clifford. ~ n' !" s
Cousin Hepzlbah." he begged, with
M No most benevolent smile, 'let me see
,.. lou cannot" said Hepzibah. "Since
'e s,,,. he hath kept his bed"
rh. "natT cried the Judge. "Is he Ill? |
!; .uen must and will see him. There
n.y., .oIe who would so delight to pro-
ho" MS happiness and wellbeing. 1
bah" e' "'e sec nim' hepzf
~ the name Of Heaven cried
fss p1'oah' her anger overcoming her
los., give over, I beseech you, this
ro"- some pretence Of affection for
sn Ss victim. You let him 90 to prison
Sos lalse accusation. You hate him
ros So' IKE mani At this moment
|iim . -, some black purpose against
now. N Your hearth Speak it out But
no.s speak again Of your love for my
|ho .ue Judges benevolent countenance
|ex.S,,O us'h Hepzibah," he said, at is my
purpose to see Clifford before
ha.s ulis house. will give you my
,hsu,. of my uncle's estate, which I |
eu' not o~.third was apparent