Ednas Sacrifice and Other Stories | Page 7

only human; I must laugh or die."
Peal after peal came from the merry girl, who could not restrain herself, although Nellie looked so reproachfully, and Fred really angrily at her; the former saying:
"Indeed, Fannie, I'm too much frightened to laugh."
Fred was too mortified to say another word for some time. At length, turning to Fannie, who had grown a little quiet, he snappishly said:
"Pray, don't stop! I'm very happy to afford you so much amusement."
Of course Fannie began anew; and Nellie trying to stop her by looks and motions, asked:
"What shall you do, Fred?"
"It is not a matter of such vital importance that you need look so worried, Nellie. I'll go to the police head-quarters, explain the matter, and leave the watch. That will be the end of it," said Fred, trying to assume a light, careless tone.
Nellie hoped it might be the end of it; but still fearful of something unpleasant, asked:
"Is it too late to-night to go, Fred?"
"Certainly it is," Fred answered.
Seeing Nellie's face still retain its anxious and frightened expression, Fred broke out laughing himself, saying:
"You look as much frightened, Nell, as I imagine that man looked when I went for his watch."
Next morning Fred was longer than usual getting off from home, and all Nellie's urging haste seemed to have the tendency to retard instead of accelerating his motions. But at last, to her great relief, he was off. After getting a few rods from home, he drew forth the stolen watch, and found of course it had run down. Having no key to fit it, he approached a jewelry store, intending to have it wound up. He had failed to notice the very particular attention with which a policeman was regarding him. Just as he was about to enter the store, he was tapped on the shoulder. Turning, he beheld the officer, a total stranger to Fred, so he knew it was not a bit of use to explain the case to him. So to attract as little notice as possible, he walked quietly along with his not very agreeable companion until they reached the police head-quarters.
There he began his explanation. All were strange faces around him, on which he saw unmistakable signs of merriment when he said it was "a mistake." And to his immense surprise, after he had handed over the dreadful watch, and was turning to leave, he was made to understand he was a _prisoner_--the accusation, "Robbery and assault, with intent to kill!"
He sank on the bench for a moment, so overwhelmed with surprise and mortification that he could with difficulty collect his senses enough to know what to do. Just then a gentleman entered, and said to an officer near:
"I was surprised to hear you had caught the rascal so speedily. Where is the scoundrel? What does he say?"
"That it was all a _mistake!_" answered the officer, with a very significant smile. "There he is," pointing to Fred.
"Of course--the villain! And if I had been so unfortunate as not to have had a watch to hand over, he would have murdered and robbed me of what I might have of any value. The murderous rascal!--Ah! how are you, Loring? You here!" advancing and shaking Fred's hand cordially, and continuing, "Show me that cut-throat! Which is he?"
The expression on Fred's countenance may possibly be imagined, but I cannot describe it. And when, in answer to the call, "Prisoner, stand up," he arose, his friend's--the plaintiff's--surprise was stupendous for a moment; and then breaking into a hearty chuckle, he exclaimed:
"Of course now I know it was a mistake."
The dignity of the place was forgotten by all then, and never was such a shout of laughter heard before within those walls. But Fred could not join in it, to save him. He had too lately stood in the place of an individual bearing quite too many opprobrious epithets, to feel very light-hearted.
He returned home to relieve Nellie's mind, telling her it was all settled--she need have now no more anxiety about it. But he never told her how it was settled. One thing, however, she noticed--he was not so fond of his revolver's companionship as he used to be. And once she heard him say:
"If the law was more strenuous with regard to the carrying of concealed weapons, there would be fewer criminal indictments."

THE GHOST
Peeping through the leaves of the vine-covered bower, and watching eagerly the path through the woods, was a beautiful little maiden. An anxious look was in her deep blue eyes, as pressing her hands over her heart, as if to stop its heavy beating, she said:
"Oh, why does he not come? How long a time! If he had good news, I know he would come quicker. Oh, I have not a mite of hope!"
The pretty lips quivered then, and