The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1856-08-14


his deep, sepulchral voice. g Can you
tell me, madam, how far it is hence to
the blasted pine near the four corners, on
the road to Welby 2"
Even Mrs. Deane started, as she an
swered this question. for it was the very
spot where Ned Miller had been murder
ed, five years ago that very night.
| expected the old house dog would
commence bowling, and I must confess
too that I glanced at the candles, to see
whether the light they emitted was in the
slightest degree tinged with blue. But
Kate thought only of our lonely walk
homeward, and rising she bade our friend
a cheerful good night. saying she thought
we must go as it was getting late.
"Wait moment, girls,'' said Mrs.
Deane, Michael will be in from the
meadow and he shall 60 kome with you"
But Kate was. too proud to accept this
offer, though her face was quite pallid
with fear. So we stepped tremblingly-
out into the moonlight.
"Walk swiftly, Man," said Kate seiz
ing my hand, " did you notice how white
his face was, and that red spot on his
hand %
Indeed I did," was my scarce audi
BILE reply, "who or what could he be?"
Il thought at first" whispered Kate,
that it might be Willie Deane come
home from sea. Did you not observe
that Lion, though he rose and snufed
around him, did not bark or growl as he
usually does at strangers ? What odd
questions he asked"
We were walking rapidly but think
ing we heard steps, with nervous feel
ing of apprehension we both turned our
, heads at the same moment and looked
back toward the cottage
Great heavens the stranger had Just
left it and was coming in the same direc-
ton. We increased our speed but the
black shadow behind us advanced over
!; the ground at prodigious rate Once
thought heard a faint halloo but L ate
r hurried me on.
"Let us cross the meadow" she said,
I'VE shall reach the bridge sooner, and
he may not take the same route
So we turned aside from the main
road, and ran swiftly through the sweet
, scented clover, glittering with the eve
ming dew. Again I glanced back over
my shoulder. The stranger had taken
} the same route. Almost exhausted. we
crossed the low style; I could hear his
deep breathing and the heavy tramp
: tramp of his footsteps close behind us;
! nearer he came, and just as we reached
: the old bridge, an arm was thrown around
each of us, heavy moustache brushed
5 my cheek, and saw instantly that the
mysterious stranger was cousin Philip
But Kate had broken away from him,
and seizing the arm of gentleman who
! was crossing the bridge from the oppo
site direction, she exclaimed,
Z "Oh ! save me, sir y
, With the greatest pleasure, madam,
if you will inform me in what direction
my efforts are needed was the ready
response.
Bravo, Kate ! what a heroine YOU
are" shouted Phil, running away from
: your brother as though the shade of Dr.
7 Faustus, or the ghost of Ned Miller him
e self, was in pursuit" We both laughed
: now, thinking Of our foolish fears and how
: easily we had been imposed upon.
= 81 fear, young ladies' said Phil,
sc that I shall have bronchitis after this
nights exertions. Ishouted your names
till was fairly hoarse, to dispel your
e fears and make myself known but you
4 paused never moment, and as I saw
. your white dresses fitting in the moon
] light over the tall grass, hedges and
: bitches, almost feared you were cou
!. pie of elves or fairies striving to lead me
e into some enchanted ground.
: cover hill, over dale,
: Through brush, through brlar;
S Over park, over, pale,
Through flood, through fire.
3 AS cousin Phil finished this quotation
he turned and formally introduced to us
| his old college friend and chum, Mr.. An
drew Norton.
). Mr.. Norton said, as Miss Barry had
: appealed to him for protection it would
S be the duty of a chivalrous knight to es
S cort her srfely home. So Kate took his
). offered arm, cousin Phil drew my hand
within his own, and in mirthful mood We
: resumed our walk homeward.
: 81 did not think, Man, said Phil, a:
S we approached the house, !" that my mas
S querade would prove so successful
S "Indeed," | replied, 81 am almos
:. afraid of your ghost-ship even now''
d "Well, them" he said, roguishly, 81
o shall have to stop moment at the foun
tain to wash away the traces cf this whit,
t, paint, pearl powder, or whatever you la
n dies call it, that purloined from Kate