The Marlboro democrat. (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, June 10, 1885, Image 5
AUMT MAKIUA'a CLOCK.
"You Know, my flour Herbert," enid
my ?unit JM;uthu, "that hi tho precari
ous state of roy health, with my life
hanging os lt wore, upon a thread, lt
believes me to see that all my almira are
in order."
"Certainly;*' I responded, with duti
ful but difficult gravity.
My aunt was only a little past "biddle
age, weighed eleven stone two, bad a
color Uko a peony, and a waist wnich
measured twenty-eight inches-was, In
truth, in full health and vigor, and
likely td live to a ripo old ag ; so that
lier favorite fiction that she was the vic
tim of a hopeless and mysterious mal
ady, mid might at any moment shuttle
off this mortal coil, was without tko
slightest foundation in fact. Never
theless she derived much onjoymeut
from tho illusion, and delighted in the
contemplation of her own premature
decease, and in perpetually going over
all tho details of her interment and
oiliercheerful accessories of the supremo
event.
.V^liifc nruu u il r?u r* ??Ol'?j ll??'I X V/i'S
indebted to bier for much of tho happi
ness of my childhood and tho easy en
joyment of my youth. I owed her both
affection and duty,and paid them heart-.
Hy; but I must confetis 1 found it difll
eult to respond becomingly to tho con
stantly recurring claims on my sympa
thy with reference to this death bed
bogy of hers. Tho perpetual cry of
"W?lfl" had hardened mo, I suppose.
"These anniversaries are solemn
tilings," my aunt observed, shall lng lier
head and nighing profoundly. "I can
not disguise from myself, Herbert, that
I shall iii all probability never seo an
other birthday. Before the second of
March cornea sound again I shall most
likely bo mouldering in tho silent
tomb.'?
Whirr-r r - gurr-r-r - boom-boom
-hangi" sounded from tho dim corner
immediately behind my seat.
"Good heavens!" 1 exclaimed,spring
ing to iv.y feel, and tinning round so as
to face the enemy. "What on earth
was that Y B ?niething exploded 1"
My aunt sa ?till, perfectly unmoved
and placid.
"That, my /ear boy," sho explained,
"is your grandfather's clock,"
"Aolockl"! echoed, "ls that all?
I thought it was an infernal machino.
What, in tho name of all that's diabol
ical, is tho matter with tho thing?"
"Tho chimo is out of order," aunt
Martha roplaxl. "Tho olockmakor says
it is worn out; but it used to have tho
sweetest, clearest tone. 1 remember it
when L was a child."
"H's a hideous discord now!" 1* ic
marked, with somo animus, for'I was a
good deal milled at .having made such a
donkey of myself in my llrst alarm
"I am very fond of tho old clock,"
said my aunt plaintively, "lt is asso
ciated with the happiest days of my
life, and its chime-altered as lt is
brings back my dear father's voice. Ho
waa a martinet with regard to punctu
ality, and that dear old clock kept time
for tho whole house. It has*always
."vc !-^? 5?-< iv," l>r.,l ,."'"-.> T Ulrorl Irv
s.ifc itjtho i}U.i iiihig veep I ;. .....'?:.... .v.j'ri
tho md' uiu;.?; bul ) \\vA i'1 no-.vu i'owii
! . rt !.v.?! wu ... it-7-H' ??<:<?] .i;!;;)): ly!-v..
'MIA', ii in"! v.- . >t little Ul fm .it?'u i
"VmviH ?>?>:. r ..>.? \y'(>\\ n-s I \'ifiti$l f. tm?ln ii i i .
o'her iii'jr.piun: of tlu'l i?Vd:. itv - ti
iVii'd ! f iiongii! it lilith i ; .> move, tho
"I don't wondor-tho brutol" I mut
tered resentfully.
"I havo felt the change," continued
my aunt- "at my ago ono feels every
thing. But I am trying td wean my
self from earthly things, Herbert, and,
as I said just now, I am anxious to seo
that all my affairs are in order and pro
pared for what may come at any mo
mont. 1 have dono my best, I think"
-modestly-"to save everybody trou
ble, and havo explained my Wishes as
clearly as I can, both In writing and
verbally "
"Yes; you have nothing t?> 'reproach
yourself with on that score," I acqui
esced, with veiled Irony.
"It will be for you, Herbert, to seo
that thoy aro carried out faithfully,"
concluded my aunt, complacently ac
cepting my remark,
"You may trust mo, aunt Martha,"
I replied.
"Yes, my dear boy, I know 1 can.
You are ii y hoir, of eourso, Herbert,!?
i have often told you. Everything is
left to you, excepting tho legacies to tho
servants, poor things, and a provision
for my mece, Phyllis Mortimer, my
poor sister's only child. I havo never
seen ber; her father quarrelled with mo
after poor Annie's death, and then ho
died, and the girl grow up amongst her
own relatives on tho othor side of tho
water. Queer sort of people they must
bo, I fancy, or thoy wouldn't llvo at
such a placo as Calais. Thoy ovldontly
shared Philip Mortimer's prejudice
against mo, and of course I could not
force myself upon tho child after her
fal nor's death; if wo had been recon
ciled boforo that, it would havo beon
diff?rent. ' However, Phyllis is my own
Bister's child, the only ono loft of our
family excepting yourself, and I havo
thougla it right to remember tho rela
tionship and to treat her as my nioco in
my will. 1 liavo loft her one hundred
and fifty pounds a year."
"I am very glad to hoar lt, amit Mar
tha, " I said heartily.
"Yes, my dear boy; I knew you would
approve," my aunt rejoined. "And
now thoro is only ono thing unsettled,
and that ls-tho clock. I am afraid"
looking anxiously at mo-"you would
not caro to havo it, although,"-with a
tonder glance at the abominable instru
ment-"lt chimes only twice in tho day
-at twelve o'clock and at six. 1 could
not bear to think of its being put away
in a garret or sold to a second- liant!
dealer, or any tiling of that sort, Her
bert. If you could havo it in your
chambers-' '
Now I had furnished my chambers
with what I considered exquisite taste.
I had carefully eschewed Queen Anno
monstrosities and rhubarb colored abom
inations, and stood pledged boforo my
friends to an anti-a?.9thoUo creed. I
glanced ruofully at tho ugly heavy
framed machino. What a blot it
would bo amongst my Eronoh mirrrors
and satin covered chairs, and how tho
fellows would chalti And then that
horrible chimo! I should bo tho laugh
ing-Btock of tho club. No, I could uot 1
stund it, not oven for aunt Mnrthal \
A unt Martha saw my dooislou In my
face, and sighed. Evidently lier last
hope died out m that sigh.
"The clock has a history, Ilerbort,"
she yahl, "llb longed to our ancestor
Sir John' M ord hurst, in tho timo ol'
Queen Anne, ami is tho last rollo of our
past gnmdour. Sir John's grandson,
Sir Nevil, ian through everything; ho
and bis son eui off the entail, tho es
tate was ?old. and the son died unmar
ried. The title went to a distant
brandi*, but they were poor people, and
did nol care for thc empty honor; so
1...0 family died out. My father was de
scended from them in tho t?malo line;
and the ClOok caine into his possession
from ids mother, and he taught us ah
to reverence it. 1 prize lt above all my
other relies, and so did Anne-in fact,
it was about the clock that tho Morti
mers and 1 quarrelled. Philip Mortimer
claimed it-for Anim-and I flatly re
fused to part with it. My father left it
to mo; ho bad no opinion ol Philip Mor
timer, and he know I loved tho chick
and should take good caro of ll, which
i have donc.*'
?'Perhaps;" 1 suggested, "Miss Mor
timer
"Yea," responded my dear old aunt,
"I have been thinking of that. Girls
have moro reverence than young mon,
and moro sentiment too. Phyllis must
liavo heard lier mother speak of tho
clock, and for her sake alie would value
it.1
"It would bo a sort of olive-branch,"
I suggested insinua'ingly,
"Exactly,"agreed my aunt. "And
I should like lo lb ink"-hero tho dear
obi lady became somewhat involved
"when L am in my collin, that l was at
peace willi all tho world, and especially
with poor Anne'? child."
"lt would be only right to leave it to
my cousin," I urged, with decision.
"Yes, 1 think it would be righi," as
sented aunt Martha, willi an air ol' ro
liof. "1 shall send for Preston in tho
morning and make ? codicil to my will."
Then the cheerful rattle of cups her
alded tho entrance of tea, and enabled
me to chango tho subject of conversa
tion.
"Thank goodness," 1 said to myself,
an hour or two later, as I drew on my
overcoat in tho hall, assisted by my
aunt's venerable butler and factotum
Peters, "1 have arranged that matter
of the clock, and without hurting tho
old lady's feelings tool Miss Mortimer's
aro another matter; but they don't eon
corn me."
.Ilerbort!" called my aunt from tho
doorway of tho drawing-room.
I stopped back from the already
opened hall door.
"Heaven bless you, my dear boy!"
exclaimed the good soul lorvonlly.
..liemember, if my symptoms should
come on to-night, and tho worst should
happen-it is angina pectoris, I have not
a shadow of a doubt-before I have
bad timo to execute that codicil, you
will hand tho clock over to your cousin
Phyllis! Promise mo, Ilorbertl"
"I promise faithfully," I answered,
with fervor; and then I kissed tho ru?
Iden nt . ohee} i fi?rHUj: ?iji ? thu'vu/'al,
willi :i gopd-iVi,<dd, a? ?d i ;. bid 1 'cb : :..
.iii ppe.l out '.nt'- the ! ll} eil!) iud?
, U KI ii >;i reel
t h?j IVhua: bf; \Y iV-' .1 'pi -i; .rid " 1}
engaged. Till ho^ i-.. v.ometo-mm-i.i
or next day, or whonovor ho likes, Can't
seo him now!" I called out from my
dressing-room In answer lo a summons
from my man, ono evening shortly af tor
my aunt's birthday, "lt's perfectly
impossible!" I reiterated, applying my
double hair-brushes vigorously, and so
overpowering an expostulatory murmur
from Morice outside tho cloicd door.
It was already 7:35 p. m., and I was
hurrying through my toilet for a dinner
at eight sharp at Sir George Lance
mere'.-?. Sir George had three pretty
daughters, and iiady Jiuncemoro was
dispo cd to bo exceedingly graclous,a;id
I was getting a iittlo t ired of my bach
elor lifo, and beginning, liko Bonodict,
to have certain tender thoughts and
dreams, all prompting mo "how sweet
young Hero was." Una Lancemoro
was certainly uncommonly pretty, and
tho remembrance of her big innocent,
blue ey os and roso tinted complexion
had made mo more particular than usual
in tho choice of tho button-hole which
waited now tn a glass of water on my
dressing-table.
"Bog pardon, slr," said thu voice of
tlio irrepressible Morice once moro at
tho door; "but it's Miss O ver Wm's but
ler, slr, and his messago hi very particle
1er, and-"
"All right, Morice; i'm coming in a
minute I" I returned graciously, as I
put tho llnislung touch to my whlto tie,
and omcrged from my sanctum in all
tho glory of my best war-paint-a mes
sage from aunt Martha was not to bo
neglected.
"Well, Petors, what is it? All right
at homo, I hopo?"
"Ko, Mr. Ilerbort; I am sorry to say
my mistress ls very ill - vory ill In
deed!" repliod Polers. "Sho was took
at about half-past six with tho huart
spasms, sir-worse than she had ovor
soon her, Susan Milo3 says. I wont for
tho doctor, sir; and then, by my mis
tress's orders, I carno for you. Sho said
I was to bring you at onco; but sho
hardly oxpectcd you would ibid her
alive, I was to say."
"Good heavens, Peters," I exclaimed,
"is it as bad as that?" 1 had forgotten
for tho moment my aunt's craze,
"Yes, air; it's vory bad," answered
tho old follow, shaking his head dolo,
fully. "Shall I call a cab?"
"Yes, yos- at onco! Stay a moment!
Send Morice to me," I said, dashing to
my writing-table and scribbling a hasty
note.
"Excuse-bad nows at last, moment -
sudden Illness-many apologies."
.'Hero, Morice; take a hansom, de*
J livor this noto at onco, and dosiro thom
to put lt into Lady Lancemero's hands
immediately! My coat--hore-quick!
Jtoady, Potors!" And I. was off, with
out avon a regretful thought for Una
Lancomero and her bluo baby-oyos.
Susan Milos, my aunt's matd, met
mo at tho door ot her room.
"Thank goodness you've como, Mr.
Ilorhortl" sho oxclalmod, whilst tho
tears coursod oach other down her fur*
I rowed chooks. "Sho does nothing hut
ask for you; there's something on her
mind, und she can't ho easy till she's
wen yon."
My ?tmit was propped up in bed, took"
ing certainly paler than 1 had ever see??
her. but, no far as my unprofessional ex
poriunce. went, not exactly at tho point
of death.
"I am glad you have come, Herbert,"
abe murmured weakly, "It iii byer foi
Ibis t imo, Doctor Porter says; but m-,
lifo bango upon a thread-a mero tb rend.
This evening's shock is tho begiuuinii,
ot tho end. it is a solemn warning lo
mo, Herbert, a very solemn warnin.-.
and 1 niuat bc prepared tor a sudden
call-a very sudden call lt univ b
When 1 was so ill ju>t now, I picture'I
tho whole scene, tho confusion, your di a
tress. Herbert."
I bowed my bead, whilst a quern
choking sensation in my throat nie
vented my usual parrying repartee.
"And I felt," continued my aim ,
"that, in all the circumstances, tho one
thing loft mo to bu anxious about--th
clock, you know-might bc ovo look; :
or forgotten at that time, lt was on
my mind in that u^ony, Herbert; au .
now I am determined, whilst ?'have
strength, to sottlo tho poor thing In it.
now home beforo I go myself." ft
spoke ns it' tho clock were a living olva
turc. "It will bo un effort, Herbert,
sho went on, the tears tilling her eye
"but 1 shall feel happier for lt. An -
delays are dangerous. I want you I
l ake the clock at oneo over to Cala IN,
Ibid out your cousin Phyllis, and dells i
it Into ber own hands. Then como ba
and report to mu how she received it
"Do you wish mo to go now?" 1 i
quired, looking, now that my alarm wa
over, a little regretfully down at i.
dress-suit.
"Yes," replied my aunt. "I will ii
risk ?mother day; thal terrible Spas
may return at any moment, and in i .
weakened slate-.-"
"Yes, yts,'* I interrupted hastily
taking out my watch, "lt is noni
nine o'clock-l have missed tho eve
big niall; but I can go in tho mornin
cross by tho early boat, and como ba<
in the afternoon. I shall get back bj
dinner-time-that is," L amended, pilli
lng myself up in my glib program bj
sudden remembrance, "if I have no ch
lay in Qnding Miss Mortimer. Y
have ber address, I suppose?"
"Well, no, I haven't; but tho Mon ;
mers have been for somo years at Cala .
\rou might lind out at the Engli -I
bankers', I should say, or the Cousu
perhaps."
"Oh, it will bo all rightl" 1 replied
Ml shall have no dilllculty in unearth! o ;
thom, I bavo no doubt."
"I don't sec any necessity for yo i
hurrying back so quickly, Herber.,
observed my aunt, whose spirits w
rising; "you might Btav and-and mn
your cousin's acquaintance, and tell rn
all about ber, whether she is Uko Anni
or bas tho Mortimers' nose-a sj ipi
sn nb nose, quite different from our fa iv
Hy Hornau-a very common nose, I
fact. 1 hope Anuio's child has escape
it; and-or-Herbert, I should like !
bear bow the family rccoivo tho cloe' .
That was tho real secret; aunt Mari
>v unir i 'ilou'i ah ?\ t iJi? '-i Ino-i
>) ti reih.' thin, tin.* ulikiiowij u\-:>:v.
1 '} hlfi . h!l<? !l </.!.... ?U?U? l'?i! i.l,:-' ...M
r?j atiut pwlnli ns abe ii! >p .'.
poiitbl iii>|. bd?i hiv baud
&?i\i't div. ^oiiiWil' .'.; it i'i :W ?
,?0 i il: 'VM\ bhll. li I-b.se, on
boy, anil Heaven uusaa you ?nu
you safo back againl"
With this solemn benediction 1 ,vi
dismissed. In the hall I fuund I'etu
standing over a remarkable-lo. .!> i ;
black box, a cross between a ehild' i c
tin and a violin-ease. Tins be han :
with the gravity of au umhrlukor.
my cab.
{Strange to say, I had never 1.
crossed the Channel, and I had und.
taken the expedition in allthoconilr .
of ignorance. Tho crossing from I * .
was calm and short; but it was pi
when my difllcultlea, ace? ?ding t ti
own calculation, should have buen os
that they ically began. I ought, I'm
pose, to bavo been prepared to boa' I
French language spoken on French io
nevertheless it took hie quito bj u\
prise; so did the utter failure oi II
French to convey any impression win"
over to tho mind of the gendarme wi
barred my pate to the gangway.
VQiiij ou* oui, lc micny-unc cloe.;
I explained, resisting tho oliicial1 ;
tempt to possess himself of aunt Mt
Hui's black box, which I had careful
someted under my travelling ul ii?
"lin"?/ a pas de consfqucncc,*' I co
eluded, with a wavo of my disong.. ..
hand and a proud Impression that I w
speaking French well and lluontry
u'y u ww de consequence, mussoorV
The man however was not to Do pr
pitiated; ho put me asido with i ;
forco than politeness, whilst ho pom
out a torrent of perfectly unihtouigil
speech beforo which my feeblo afb
went down Uko a reed boforo a int in
tain stream.
He ovldontly rcgaidcd mo with si
picion, for bo beckoned to a coupl
his comrades stationed at tho top of I
laddor, and pointed, to my intense
noyanco, to tho miniature satcoph?g
In Its "decent blaek." I was not, ti fl
all, to effect tho unobtrusive landing
wliich I had counted.
"C'c8i ?nc cloche," I ^repeated m<
loudly-"une clocheV
Tho men glared at me. Tho el?'.?
and apparently most important of t
three demanded something of mo in
uncompromising tone which mado i
British blood boil
"JAI clef! Ou cst la clef?"-("'I
koyl Where Ls tho key?")
Ho might bavo boen speaking Cr?
for anything I knew to tho contrary,
was reaping thu just reward of ti
against tho much-despised "Frog?i
of my schoolboy days. .
"Ja eic//" imperatively ropeatod I
oflloiaL
I shook my head desperately. .)
then I remembered with dismay an
count I had lately read of sm neon
plishod lady-smuggler who was foi
to havosocrotod somo hundreds of ya
of valuable laco iu a child's, collin,
was ovldontly suspected of an intent
to dofraud tho revonuo.
"Peta contrahandcl" IprotpsUtl. ?i
contrabandotf assure! It is' <
hang it all, c'twt you seo lt is tv. Old
you idiots?"-as I found mysolf ho
? ??mli I il
) '. fC: yi.
Conducted ou to tho pier iii ti procession
which was too suggestive of tho escort;
ol ;\ I .oadon pickpocket to be agreeable. I
Suddenly, its tim ono drop wanting to '
lill tip the cup hf my humiliation, tho
. ii bot letti instrument thought lit to
strike.
1 WhitT-r-i -gnrr-r-r-boom-boom
- liglf' -;oii))(ii!d with distinct and hor
rible clamor from tim interior of tho
blarl; oas-.'*.
Ti mun m charge of tue box dropped
>t willi ? ?ftui?ive' shriek of terror, the
sj i i .M Hoattered in alarm. I felt a
determined 'crasp tighlon upon my
?boulder, ?md resigned myself witli the
lui? . >! ' ispair to tho next phase of
lim ? i .? ?lions drama.
One wth'd. repeated several times,
cu i no. ? nu- distinctly out of the eon
. i I Babi pt* sounds, lt boro a sort
ot iJonnnu-eousinship to tho English
wot' : "clyti imito," and Mashed a sudden
illumination iuto my bewildered and ox
us] orated bi i n. I wa? supposed to bo
a "dy n mn I," and poor aunt Martha's
.!..-. '.;..'!( relio H Nihilistic or Fenian on
gino doairuotioii; willoh had missod
. e foi the moment, but might presently
? nilli its deadly mission.
\ ii it on tho part of an indi
I unod a long polo was too
. gust ive ol au intention to drop tho
daniton i.pollution into the harbor
.H.nit born?. Housed to tho de?
fi nee] of my ??hargo, I sprang forward,
shaking oil! the detaining grasp on my
nt ni od aunt Martha's precious
f l'iUlMltl . '.
Idiots! i.\)olsl" I exclaimed holly,
.i a? * "ii 'ne-."
. i apt .glance rested at this
upon tiny bluo coated gen
,i iiih?v 'm. wooli a hrown-robed slim
i..' who, flanked on either side by a
1, stood on tito odgo of tho
. Tin- <"...." .
i . ' I'oUlUluia. xxiii lilCv Waa
si and fi edi as an English roso, and
10 ve M ?'iay eyes Which mot mino as
liitrass?'l, hunted, desperate,
o'Coi . <?*sionate and sympathotlc
by something-I do not
.. -"mysterious affinity," 1
; . I i istinctivo?y raised my hat.
Too younj! lady colored deeply, and,
pi iiih) anti of the lads forward with
lier, ku lop hearer to mo, and said,
iii i vor j i iv 'Obiing and timid volco
"Cali > o explain anything for you?
iel speak French perhaps;
('bni lie o di,"
Imf < ?harlie, whom sho had evidently
11 holding by main force, would not.
De : ' contumaciously, and left
* io, covered with confusion.
"You afc very good," I exclalmod
i ly, i shall bo immonsoly obliged
m m!I tell thoso follows that this
box i>j rn lue, which seems to alarm
them i.'?) tillich, contains nothing moro
. ni dable than an old clock."
W lt.h a brave effort she rallied her
hil ;c aiid spoke some sentences in
o my persecutor*. The man
now her; ho ho wed politely,
I i -d attentively. Tho hand
wbic! hold her sunshade trembled por
o?pl i ly, ,md the color carno and went
Iii ;)h(!i >s-such an exquisito color
vet ?h<) held on bravely,
i'l ntileia? oyed me keonly.
. ba ? iiiilii (. I, irtdlcAiiiiii
j'y/il h i'. dwu'nuth ;;i*-: nu' ! he Un I tick y j
j causo i?f. nh my ? rouble,--, j
"WO'?ld yon mir' i .ii. iv..'' Mtitfi-.
Hiv. , ny Interne;. a .k. you to I
; :\\\.. th..' I uv Uj ir i :.i ? i-'.. 'ty, ,/ou'
' l"> I ' M; i ', if? "M'itnt'.'.i no'v ?tr j
lifiiitco hoij-v"
i. i .... lut ino faintest oiijoctipii,!'' i
ired irouuolng tho key at once.
11 only arrived at this under
i i / oner, it would havo saved a
?real dell of troublo. I am moro
you than 1 can say, and I
i pol iglfc? very sincerely for the
? i . ; ? ? I ive givon you."
. ?ii " tired 8omoinaiticulato wortis
as oftled hurriedly, and disap
peai c.! d er tho recreant Charlie, no
do ti o crowd.
'j'ii of oflloials still hold aloof
i sly as ? advanced to tho pros
t of their horror and pro
ontents for tholr inspection;
hon of iiropresslblo laughter-in
Wit? .acd heartily, in spite of my
. .. ?i I along tho pier. Tho indi
vidu 1 >mmaud raised bis hat, with
' . m arsteod to bo a polite apol
oi'.j' a olilcions hands were ^x
? tied to hove mo of my burdon, and
j I pic 0<k i, in what was now changed
t > .* . ; . ol triumphal progross, towards
! Li fi iii isl cab stand.
j i Wi i codily sot on my way to tho
. .. : i msul, from whom I soon
H I ned i i?r address of Mrs. John Mor
{timar, th ant with whom Miss Mortl
lii1' resillad- I was determined to rid
myself al once of my compromising
! chai i;fi, and so drove straightway to tlio
abode ol tiui Mortimers,
A h im white-capped maid, wlio re
stn rot I inj ilf-osteom by responding im
mediate!) io my necessarily brief in
.ir.M \ in i ronch-for "madame," an-1
swoi?il Ibo dttlo boll which I lound at a
door on tho first floor, and ushered mo
into . Salon bright with gilding and
. i whh flower sconts. A ladyllico,
i '/etul woman carno forward to receivo
i '" , and, af ter my few words of exp?an
ion, called softly through a door-ono
i of several which I had thought led into
j cupboard,
L'hyllis, como Jioro, doarl"
Then '-'i a little rustle of feminine
gai mont i, . pilot footstep, and my in
terpretor i>f tho pior stood hoforo me.
j Then tin id was, after all, something
i in "mysterious affinity 1"
; * t * #
" I,mdon, March 24th, 18-.
"My dear Nophow,-. It is now a fort
i night since j ni loft boro, and I have had
nothing moro from you than tho very
1 slii II t note hi which you announced your
arrival at Calais with tho clock,and told
nie (hat you had succoeded in finding
Phylis I ..timor. I havo been looking
for the longer: lotter which you promised
mo, abd l ?im beginning to roar that you
have boen lt.Ken ill, and aro laid up in a
foreign conni ry, with only a French doc
tor, tind i iin? cause. Do, my dear boy,
wni', if inly a line, to reliovo my anx
iety! iVccopt my host love, and bollovo
mo. n il "AI florbort,
"Your vory affectionato aunt,
"MARTHA OVKKTON.
V ? >. ! ? a Phyllis Mortimer takon
kindly to tlia olock, and what is she
hk'oVv
r,l'lvta A is ..?io oplstlo which reached
hie ami ovi i whohned mo with remorse
t .
i ust aa I waa leaving my hotel ono o von
lng, oxnctly llftoon days after my urrival
nt Calala, to pay my usual visit to the
flower scented salon In the market-place.
I ran lightly up tho uncarpeted wooden
stairs, and rang tho little boll which be
longed to tho Mortimers' apartments.
Sophlo smiled a welcome, according to
her wont, and, in answer to my stereo
typed inquiry for Madame Mortimer,
poured forth a voluble and utterly mys
terious tirade. I failed lu thia instance
to catch the drift of Sophie's peroration,
and walked (inst her with a smiling nod,
Intended to convoy intelligence, into the
salon.
At Ural I thought, with a chill sonso
of disappointment, that tho room was
empty; but, aa my eyes grew accustomed
to tho dimness, 1 discerned tho gh namer
of a white dross near the window, and
then, aa it floated towards me, ii volco !
which mado my pulsea throb In an ut
torly unprecedented manner aald softly: ]
"Mr. Overton I 1-My aunt
Did not Sophie toll you that they aro all
out? Charlie and Ned wanted to go
to tho theat re, and aunt Lucy baa taken
thom. I am so sorry I I told Sophie to
say so to any visitor."
"Sophie obeyed orders," I answered;
"but unfortunately, cousin, I atill re
quire ail interpretor."
She laughed a little low laugh which j
1 had learned in the short fortnight to
think tho sweetest music I had ever
hoard.
"It is my m Isfort uno, not my fault,"
I went on. "And I think, even if
Sophie's moaning had been plain, I should
still-oh the strength of my relationship,
you know-have persisted in trying to
gain an entrance to-night; for I was
very anxious to seo you. I have re
ceived a summons homo. 1 must go
back to England to-morrow."
i played my trump card boidiy on ibo
inspiration of tho moment, and, my
eyes beimr now accustomed to tho light,
I saw that Phyllis turned palo and
caught at tho back of tho velvet-covered
chair near her.
"Phyllis, my darling," I exclaimed,
seizing ber little trembling banda in an
instant, "1 cannot go without telling
you that I .love youl Canyon-will you
-give mo a little love in return?"
i do not know to this day what sbo
said-I do not believe sbo said anything;
but ber little bead sank down upon my
should ar as I bent over her. and, whou
my arm stole round her waist, she did
not ropulso me.
* * * *
"When did you first begin to think
about it?" whispered Phyllis shyly, an
hour later.
"When?" I laughed. "I really can
not toll. 1 believe it was when you
stood forward so pluckily that morning
on tho pier and saved aunt Martha's
clock from being pitched into tho har
bor. That blessed clock 1 1 owo to it
the happiness of my life."
"Tho dear old clock 1" exclaimed
Phyllis. "Wo will never part with it,
will wo? I shall always love that clock."
Sbo hastened away when Mrs. Mortl
mor, followod by her boys, cunio tramp
ing up tho staircase, and I was left to
confront tho hostess alone.
"Y (di heiV, Mi rjy?rl?nl'1 cnM Mrs.
'?Vori !n.\cr, '.n surpriiio, loo lug rob id ler 1
JhiyVDs..
l*Y>;v" t aniwcreil coolly; "i was
walli ig f< i "MI Mya, Movi inter. ,. haye'j
boen waiting a long wltifo. '
"Alone, (uni bi thia k;lM'??.?bi.?" she
oxchiun?d, ?s ?ho turned up tho duplex
?JU.Uv.:'.
Tho boya, hungry after their enter
tainment, had retired unceremoniously
to tho dining-room,
"No; I have not been alone," I ro
plied; "Phyllis baa been with mo." Stio
looked up quickly. "Phyllis has prom
ised to b<) my wifo, Mrs. Mortimer; will
you give ber to me?"
"Indeed I willi" abe answered, with
tears in her oyes. "Wo have known you
only a short time; but I have heard of
you often, and I know that I can trust
tho dear girl to you."
"And you have been a mother to
her," I said.gratefully. "She has told
the all you have done for her."
Poy ll ia carno down, when tho boys
had gone to bed, to say good night
which 1 need hardly say waa not good
bye-and then I wont home anil wrote
to aunt Martha as follows
"Dear aunt Martha, - I am quito
woll, and proposo staying another week
at Calais, unless you want me very
badly. And I bavo altered my mind
about the clock; 1 am going to under
take tho chargo pf it, and of something
else too-of my cousin Phyllis! Phyllis
declares she will never part with tho
clock, and I delcare I will never part
with her; so, as the two must go to
gether, what can I do?
"Seriously, my dearest aunt, wish mo
joy. I have won tho dearest, sweetest
little girl for my wife-aa you will say I
when you seo her. And I owo my treas
ure to you. Yea, you bavo crowned all
your other goodness to me by thia last
gift-for it certainly cornea from you.
Send ua your blessing, and boliovo al
ways in tho grateful love of
.'Your affectionate nephew,
"HKUUEIIT OVERTON.
UN. Ji.-Phyllis has tho Overton nose.
+ * * *
Pive years'later. My aunt Is allvo
and well. She confided to mo, about six
months after my marriage, ber suspi
cions that tho heart spasms wore "no
thing but Indigestion;" and a consulta
tion with a specialist proved that sbo
waa right. I behove that my wife was
responsible for tho suggestion which has
ronowed dear old aunt Margaret's youth
and given her a now leaso of lifo.
. The clock stands on a handsome
bracket in our hall. Aunt Martha has
considerately rofusofl to tako back her
gift, declaring that, as sho is an almost
daily visitor at our house, tho treasurod
rollo is as much her own as over.
. Numerous tenant?.
William Soulby, an Englishman, re
cently arrived at Lincoln, Illinois to
look after bia landed interests, which
iii tills country exceed 200,000 acres.
Mr. Scully's wealth ia estimated ac $80.
000 000. Ho baa ovor 300 tenants ht thia
country." I
Tho lord Intends that our wealth ?halI'
bo one sorvant, not our mauler.
-'.-LgLEgggggg
Sumo Cranky Hatbor?.
"There are tricks in every calling; It
seems, " said tho proprietor ot a faato
ionahlo Turkish bath establishment ha
New York.
"What peculiar tricks aro in yoiut
buPliiossyV inq.iiired a reporter.
'.In the message operation in ucl: dis
continu is frequently practiced hy the?
operator. In the tlrst, com se after leav
ing tho sweat bath a hand-rubbing ia ,
given with warm water. T ht Is a very '
dolicate and soothing porformance, 9.0$
when rightly administered place* ttiei
bather in a splendid condition to rev
ceivo tho flesh-brush., Expeit on?a>
tors can with woll-feigned labor alight;
ihoir work and leave the bather lia
doubt whether tho performance ls natus
factory or not. It ia done by nofaa
chiefly. Tao bands in running over
the flesh are raised and brought dowia
hurriedly, producing a series of pepsi
oops, which ls music to the ear of timi
manager; It doer, not hurt, but at th**
same time it is not as beneficial as sx
rub. When the operator pops a gruact
deal he is doing tho bather_20 to sjisiifc
--up, rushing tilings to got through.
Some bathers, though prefer tb esa poo
ping operators. Tho popping is in Hue
massage as flourishes aro in writing^
ont rely superfluous, but still ornamoDr
tal whoa produced by expert?, Som?
old operators can cai ry on a conversa*
tlon by means of these pops. I romen>
bor I had two operators who had at
tained to this proficiency. A inhTioi?
? abo was stretched on one of tho mw
sago tables and a dry goods clerk on an>.
I other near by. The operator for th?
former conveyed the Intelliireuccto thai
ono for tho latter that ho expected a big;
tip. Tho hitter answered in a disgust
ed tone, tolling ot his cheap enntotueu;,
and predicted no tip. The millionaire
did not tip, but tho Cheap clerk did-,
much to tho surprise of his customer.
"But these attendants or operators
deserve great credit for their skill ?1041'
frequently their forbearance and goodi
nature. Customers are ol ten exacting
and want double tho scrubbing otliemn
got. There is a wealthy old gentleman*
who is a bull in tho market and a regu??
lar bear in tho bath-house. lie has &
habit of imagining that on a cariaba
portion of lils body a cancer will com?
because, many generations ago, a sec
ond cousin of bis grandfather died with)
ono. For this reason ho bas an honor
consumed in scrubbing that particular
place. He doesn't pay any more either.
These are Borne of the drawbacks exper
ienced."
"You often have some queer customs
ors, do you not?"
"Yes, plenlv of them, from tho f?llt
fledged crank io tho monomaniac audi
mild idiot. An old lady Imagines tha?
by a regular coudie of sweating abe cam
chango her disposition and ideas entire
ly.
"In every seven years." she said, 'wie
take on a now form, and I propose ai
system ot sweating to do it in a year oar
less time.' Poor thing, shostays la tin?
hot room until the perspiration rolls ott
her. But it is doing her good, and her:
ideas are evidently improving, A yoiioic
cripple thinks bia withered arm willi
grow ont nguiu, "nd t.a'.<e.>ahV.*: merv
iliiy, I could mot) tlon many otb ?ii;
(..?.?M!?. Tho ?ti toi uki ou soon ida iii b>
I h a mor tho cranks and pity huhii?, \r-ii
jay (lilli td vnrnj;.
iii am ,'ory lui.vi UL Lu.v.?.d f?lalo.%1
said Mr. Jay Gould to a gentleman wk*
wt? talking to bim tho other day, "Tliey
arc about tho simplest tiling one caa.
eat, and I find that tho simpler my food
j ls the better for my head. At hou\e I
do not care for what you call 'fancy
dishes.' Plain meats and vegetables*
good bread and butter, good mbk, flomo>?;
times porridgo or grits for breakfast,;
satisfy mo. As 1 on may suppose, I Ami
my time lilied up pretly well with busi
ness, and I certainly lind that I can get
along better when my food is the plain-,
est of tho plain. I hilve never lost my
fondness for thc country food 1 used.to
be accustomed to in my boyhood, amt L
think I could rolish one of 1 lioso 'milli
night melon? as well now as 1 did then,,
although L should probably eat it ata.
different time."
"What do you do when you ?0 t?t>
some of tho elaborate dlnnois?"
"Those are terrible thlngn, those,
heavy dinners," saul Mr. Gould, with a
smile. "1 remember once being at on&
and eating some dish, I forgot tho nam?
of it, which was very good, but aft?:
which I was sick for a week. Now
when I go to them I take a little soup If
it is plain, a piece of roast meat or gante
and some plain potatoes, If I can ged
thom. If not, some peas or in fact any
vegetable, provided it is without sauce*
for I have found that these sauces,
which they put on what would other
wiso bo good, spoil tho food-at lcasi
for me. For tho rest of tho fei me I ali,
at tho tablo, play with something on mjj
plato and pass tho time as well as I caib.
"I do not myself believe that auy
man can stand tho strain of a larg?
business unless he UVOB upon the sluv
plest food he can get. Mon who tram,
for feats of physical endurance il ad thai,
they aro obliged to ho careful in their,
diot, and when the strain la mental, it
baa beon my experience that the sam?
rulo applies. I do not mean to say Id?
not like some of tho dishes which I
cannot eat, but I find that I cannot ea t
thom with Impunity, Foi lunately I am
not sufficiently fond of them to make it
any sacriflee to givo them up. My idea
of n good breakfast isa piece of steak, a.
mealy baked potatoo, some grabara
bread and a glass of milk, and I find'
that I can got along very woll whon t
have lt. Your complex dishes of hlgJm
flavors are vory good, but they ar? not
business.''
No further comment than this from A
man who has demonstrated tho power
of brain in the work of tho. world is
necessary to show what tho real Import
ance ia of proper food to any person wlw
works. Whothor ho is an arttsfai Q4.
throe or four dollars a day, or a, million
airo who sways the fortunes of corpora
tions by tho touch of a fl tiger on h tele
graph instrument, tho truth romains
that the American citizen makes hf*,
way by his work, oltbor of brain or ot
hand. j?i?d tho first question ho has Ut
conaldor is tho kind of fuel ho shall con-,
consumq in keeping tho machinery IM
motion; , , ? ;