The Shasta courier., 1866-04-28
COURIER.
sTAPLEFORD GRANGE.

party in q country house about five miles
from the place where the events referred to
occurred, and it was related to me by the
chief actress in it-Cissy Miles, pretty.
lady like girl of twenty, the daughter of the
rector of the parish in which Stapleford
Grange is situated:
1t was the Saturday afternoon before
Christmas day, nearly two years ago, when
my six brothers, all younger than myself,
and were skating on our squire's fish pond.
We had been skating since dinner, and 1t
was not till the wintry daylight was begin.
ming to wane that tie recollection rushed
across me that had entirely forgotten to do
a commission my mother had given me in
the morning. This commission was to walk
to the Grange, big farm house, and bespeak
some geese for dinner on New Years day.
My mother had said decidedly, "Those
geese must be ordered to-day, Cissy," so
knew that should have to go although the
Grange was mile off, although it was very
cold. and darkness was coming on, and al
though l was terribly afraid of biz black
dog which was chained up just in front of
the Grange back door.
"Wholl 90 with me to the Grange"
called out quickly. as this remembrance oc
Cured to me. setting down and beginning to
unstrap my skates. Five forgotten all
about the geese, and mamma said was to
order them to-day"
No one answered. The next day was Sun
day, and it might thaw before Monday
Every boy, big or little, seemed laudably
desirous of making the most Of present oppor-
tunities.
= l daren't go by myself" called out, in
pathetic tone; it would be quite dark be-
fore got home again."
6 Tell the truth, Cis," called out Charlie,
a quick, good natured boy of fifteen, {" and
say you're afraid of Jip. Never mind I'll
go with you, if You must CO." And he join
ed me on the bank, and proceeded to take off
his skates
Thanks to all my brothers. was a pretty
good runner, and we sped across the squire's
fields, and through the narrow lane toward
the Grange, as fast as possible. When we
got on the last field, which joined the farm
yard, we slackened pace little, and when
we got into the big court yard itself, we were
walking almost slowly.
=" How dreadful lonely it looks, Charlie ?''
| said almost with shiver, at the desolate
aspect of the place, which had been grand
genileman's house forty years ago, but had
leen suffered to fall almost into ruins. 81
as she has no children, nor nybody to keep
her company when Mr.. johnson is away"
Well, don't you stop and prose to her for
ever such a time, Cis, do you hear % return
ed Charlie, good humoredly.
Jip did not greet VITA his usual noisy
welcome, and there was no sound of any sort
about the place except the gobbling of some
turkeys in the rear of the farm buildings
We went up and knocked at the door, and
when | turned round, | observed that Jip's
kennel, which stood exactly opposite. in a
line with the front of the house, was empty.
g Where can Jip be ?'' said 81 thought
they never let him loose !" and walked for
ward few steps. and became aware that the
dogs chain and collar were lying beside the
kennel. l stood for moment or two won
dering, while Charlie. getting impatient at
Mrs. Johnson's non appearance, knocked
again at the door. Suddenly some marks of
blood on the tagged pathway in front of the
kennel arrested my attention
What can it be, Charlie ?'' / said. in q
whisper.
II don't know" Charlie returned. thought
fully; poor Jip come to grief, perhaps. It's
odd Mrs. johnson doesn't come | think I'll
60 on voyage of discovery stay here till l
come back y and he pushed the door further
open.
No, let me go too," I said, half frighten-
ed. ! am coward at the sight of blood
"Well, don't make row, then !" and we
entered together.
There was big blazing fire in the CRATE,
which showed that on the table the tea things
were set for tea the kettle was kissing
away merrily, and some tea cakes stood to
warn. ..on low stand before the fire. Every
thing looked snug and cosy. Evidently Mrs
johnson had prepared everything ready for
tea when the farmer should return frcm D.
market; and was now gone up stairs to
s. clean" herself
had time to make these observations over
Charities shoulder, before he gave sudden
start, and strcde with low exclamation to
a bundle Of clothes which lay at the further
and darker side Of the kitchen, on the smooth
stone flo r. A bundle of clothes it looked
like. with Jip lying asleep beside it in very
strange attitude.
l shall never forget the horror of the next
moment. Huddled up. evidently in the atti-
tude in which she had fallen, lay Mrs. J,hn-
son, with gaping wound across her throat.
from wlici the blood was still trickling. and
Jip. with large pool of blood near his head
Law dead beside her.
stood TOR moment, too perplexed with
horror-such intense, thrilling horror, that
only any one VINO has experienced such a
feeling can unde stand it and then. with
low scream, | sank down on the floor. and
put up my hand to try and hide the horrible
sight.
Hush % whispered Charlie. sterplv
taking hold Of my hands, and forciblv drag
ging me on to my feet again; ..you mustn't
make a sound. Whoever has done this can.
be far OF; you must run home, Cissy, as
hard as ever you can. Come l'
He dragged me to the door, and then I
turned sick all over, and tumbled down
again. felt as if l could not stir another
step.
Nonsense! Try again.
tried again, but it was no use; nv legs
positively would not move, and precious time
WAS being wasted.
You fool =" Charlie said, bitterly and
passionately. How was boy of fifteen to
understand woman's weakness? "Then l