Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-01-07

Satt ILLS ldlC u lOuldiSCi AothSA
than a novel; for it makes at
tempt to connect q bygone time with
the present that Is even now drifting
away from US. 1t Is a legend. bringing
with it the mist of the past floating
round each character and event-even
round the old house itself.
Sometimes 1t drifts aside and you
catch a glimpse of older days-days
when Colonel %Pyncheon, out of pure
covetousness, despoiled old Wizard
Maule Of his house and little plot Of
handbags when Maute cursed the
colonel for his sins and 'foretold: "God
would give him blood to drink !"--days
when Thomas Maule, o of the wiz
ard, built for Colonel Pyncheon over
his fathers very threshold, the House
of the Seven Gables.
On the day when Hepzibah Pyndheon
tired 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
a long visit) and a few cousins, were
all. The race of Maule was supposed
extinct-at least there were none
known.
Long since Hester had let n of the
gables to a daguerreotypist named HoE
grave; and none others were in the
old house save herself and Clifford
(now pardoned out after serving SEN
tenoe for the supposed murder of an
uncle), and little Phoebe.
Judge Pyncheon was the great nan
of the town; but, despite his ever
ready smile and studied benevolence,
he was mot greatly liked. Hepzibah
shrank away from him and Clifford
shrieked when he would have forced
his way i'm to see him.
Hepzibah and Clifford scarce left
the house even for the garden; but
Phoebe and young Holgrawe met there
often; and the kindly mist made itself
thin between them TIL they saw each
other clear and their hearts drew close
and love came to them-lbut so softly
and sweetly they knew 1t not for love,
but called II by that other sweet name
friendship.
Then Phoebe must needs 60 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, fled away.
When she had gone the Judge be-
came even more determined to see
Clifford.
"Cousin Hepzlbah," he begged. with
his most benevolent smile, 'let me see
Clifford"
You cannot" said Hepzibah. "Since
yesterday he hath kept his bed"
"What3" cried the judge. lis he ilf
Then / must and will see him. There
IS none who would so delight to pro-
mote his happiness and wellbeing. |
beg Of you to Let me see him, Hepzi-
BAH"
I'm the name OF Heaven" cried
Hepzibah, her anger overcoming her
fear, 'give over, / beseech you, this
loathsome ~pretence Of affection for
your victim. You let him go 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 hearth Speak it outl But
never speak again of your love for my
poor brother"
The judges benevolent countenance
became hard.
Cousin Hepzibah," he said, ut is my
fixed purpose to see Clifford before l
Lteaye this house. / will give you my
reason. OF my uncle's estate, which !
inherited. not oDs-third was apparent