The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-06-19

They did not think his greeting too dem
onstrative now. Kate's bright eyes
were brimming with tears of Joy, and
Lizzie's hand lay eagerly enough in his
prolonged clasp.
CHOW tell me all about it," he said, in
q tone which somehow completely lifted
the burden from their shoulders, and
drawing their chairs closer to the fireside
they began the recital.
How the mere telling of it lightened
the trouble, They could almost Joke
about it. As Kate, who had been the
principal speaker, finished her story, he
said quietly.
II will stay tonight, and watch with
you; but do not let those negroes suspect
my purpose, for imagine that they are
at the bottom of the mischief"
Accordingly, at ten O'Clock, Aunt Deb
by was called to bring light, to show
the visitor out, the girls following into the
hall with merry good-byes.
&c Be sure to come again Soon" said
Lizzie, with parting smile. You will
have to walk fast to catch the train"
"And don't be alarmed if you meet a
ghost in the avenue" added audacious
Kate. "Willowdale is said to be haunt
ed"
Aunt Debby giared at her. Il girl who
could jest upon such a subject was evi-
IDENTIFY something beyond her comprehen-
sion.
After a ten minutes walk under the
leatless willows, Mr. Carroll was silently
re-admtted, and escorted up stairs, to
await the opening OF the performances.
A room at the front of the house, half
library, halt-dressing room, commanding
view Of the long hall, was chosen as the
watch tower. 1t was a strange situation
Had any one, a week before, predicted
such thing, the girls would have met it
with derisive laughter. But now, though
they were fully alive to the irregularitv
Of the affair. they We're too grateful-had
too much confidence in their friend, to
make any prudish demurrer. Mr.. Carroll,
too, though he made no allusion to their
anomalous positions, evidently appreciated
it he dropped entirely that air OF light
gallantry, which was such bete NOR to
the girls, and spoke and acted with the
gravity of an octogenarian.
But would the noises never begin? If
they should fail on this one night, what
a predcament would they be in The
girls became eager as they had before
beeu fearful. But Just as they were grow
ing impatient, slow, mutfled step was
heard ascending the step, and, like flash
the patent lantern, brought by Mr.. Car
roll, was darkened, while anxious eyes
peered out into the surrounding gloom.
window at the opposite end of the hail.
and, though not moonlight, enough light
was admitted to reveal q tall figure
shrouded in white. An instant it paused
upon the landing, sending a terrific shrek
through the echoing passages, then took
the way leading to the attic.
"Now !" exclaimed Mr. Carroll, start
ing up in quick pursuit; but with all their
haste they were only in time to see it
vanish within the closet.
'lt's always the way" Kate. "We
can follow it no farther"
''We will see," was the quiet reply, and
entering, he began thorough investga-
ton. Not content with overturning the
ancent furniture. he examined the very
walls. Panel after panel of the oaken
wainscot resounded to his sharp taps
Then one sounded different from the rest
hollow
A gleam of triumph shot into the calm.
gray eyes. ''Here. Kate, hold the lantern
Don't be frightened, Lizzie, he said then
with a slight eXertion of manly strength,
he burst in the worm eaten wainscot re-
vealing small aperture wherein. crouch
ing upon the floor, the very picture OF
abject terror, with sheet thrown eff, and
hands upheld for mercy, was a negro
youth, clearly no other than the lniscreant
'Lonzo.
You young scoundrel !" exclaimed
the victor, dragging him forth. while
Kate held the lantern alott, and Lizzie
stood trembling, half with JOY at the
ending of the mystery and half with pity
for the frightened offender.
For an instant Mr.. Carroll held him
there with grasp like that of Il savage
conqueror; then the magnanimous Chris
tian gentleman asserted himself, and the
earnest warning and rebuke which fol-
lowed, mingled with words of noble en-
couragement and entreaty, would have
sottened a harder heart than that of the
ignorant black boy, who. at the close,
was sobbing like baby.
The atfectionate appeal touched an
other heart. And when. ere he left, Mr.
Carroll found an opportunity to ask that
lowering awkwardly upon his lips, Liz
zie was ready to give up the contest, and
rest securely to an honest mans love, find
ing thus her better life.
81 have taken the chocolate for the sake
of the true, sweet cream Within" she
said, blushingly, to her friend, after he
had gone; and Kate, with a twinkle in
her eyes, that was not all merriment an
swered that she had done wisely
Willowdae, with all its windows thrown
open to the sunshine, with fresh paper on
its mouldy walls, and half its gaunt trees
replaced by Towering shrubs, is de-
lightful Summer residence. There, year
by year, the CAROLS forget the cares of
the city, and there Kate, now Il celebrat-
ed writer, but still. as she says, waiting
for her cream chocolate, is beloved
guest. Whenever rainy day obliges the
children to take the attic tor their play
ground, their is great sport in q certain
closet turning oyer its treasures of the
past, and donning old time tinery, while
q dark hole behind a shattered panel,
makes capital place of punishment for
naughty dolls, or not less capital place
for hide and seek
Aunt Debby still rules the kitchen, and
a sprightly maiden called Lutte spreads
pure white linen in the breezy chambers
but the most attached servant about the
place is a young colOred man, whose de-
vction to his master eXctes general OBJ
servatlon. To the children and visitors
he is kown as Alonzo; but Kate and Liz
zie sometimes, between themselves, desig-
nate him as-THE GHOST OF WILLOW
DALE. Peterson for June.
A DoCToR's DIARY. pocket diary
has been picked up in the street, and now
is in the finders possession, awaiting its
owner. From the following extracts, it
would appear that the owner is medical
man:
"kase 230, Mary An Perkins. Bisness,
washerwoman. Sickness in her he'd
Fisk sum blue pills soaperfik; age 81
Ped me one dollar, l kuarter bogus
Mind get good kuarter and make her take
mo fisk.