The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-30


Ada Rivers was tall, robust girl, with the
whitest teeth, the purest Complexion. and the
clesrest laugh have ever met with in the
world. To be near her made one feel healthier
both in body and mind. She was one of those
lively, fearless people who love to meet g
morbid horror face to face, and put it TO rout.
When l wrote to her, do come, for 1 am
sick, was pretty sure she would obey the
summons; bnt when / added, {. have a
mystery for you to expiore,"T was convinced
of her compliance beyoad the possibility of q
doubt.
1t wanted just one fortnight of Christmas
| Day when Ada arrived at tho Thatcked House.
For some little time beforehand, had busted
myself SO pleasantly in making preparations,
that had almost forgotten the weeping lady,
and had not heard the footstep for two nights.
And when, on the first evening of her arrival,
Ada stepped into the haunted dining room in
her trim flowing robe of crimson cashmere,
with her dark hair bound closely round her
comely head, and her bright eyes clear with
that frank unwavering light of theirs, felt as
if her wholesome presence had bapished dread
at once, and that ghosts could surely never
| harbor in the same house with her free step
and genial laugh.
putting her bands on my shoulders, and look
| ing ia my face. You look like q changeling,
you little white thing When shall get leave
to explore your mysteryf'
"To night" I whispered, and, looking
round me quickly, shuddered. We were stand
ing the hearth before the blazing fire, on
the very spot where that awful footstep
would pass and repass through the long, dark,
unhappy hours after our lights had been ex-
tinguished, and our heads laid upon our
pillows.
Ada laughed at me and called me q little
goose; but could see that she was wild with
curiosity, and eager for bedtime to arrive. /
had arranged that we should both occupy my
room, in order that, if there was anything to
be heard, Ada might hear it. "And now what
is all this that have to learn I" said she, after
our door had been fastened for the night, and
we sat looking at one another with our dress
ing-gowns upon eur shoulders.
AS l had expected, q long, ringing laugh
greeted the recital of my doleful tale MY
dear Lucy! !" cried Ada, my poor, sick, little
mopiug Lucy, you surely don't mean to say
that yoa believe in such vulgar things as
ghostsf'
"But cannot help it," said. Il have heard
the footstep no less than sew en- times and the
proof of it is that am i'll. If you were to
sleep alone in this room every night for month
yoa would get sick too"
"Not bit of it," said Ada stoutly and she
sprapg up and walked about the chamber.
ITO think of getting discontinued with this
pretty room, this exquisite little nest! No, 1
engage to sleep here every night for month
alone, if you please-and at the end of that
time, shall not only still be in perfect health,
nv unromantic self, but promise to have
cured you, You little, absurd, imaginative
thing' And now let us get to bed without an
! other word on the subject. Talking it over,
in cases of this kind, always does vast
amount of mischief"
Ada always meant what she said. In half
an hour We were both in bed, without fur
Their word being spoken on the matter. So
| strengthened and reassured was 1 by her
strong. happy presence that, wearied out by
the excitement of the day, was quickly fast
asleep. 1t was early next morning when 1
wakened again, and the red, frosty sun was
rising above the trees When opened nv
eyes, the first object they met was Ada, sitting
in the window, with her forehead against the
1 pane, and her bands locked in her lap. She
picked thought. had never seen her look go
strangely before.
A swift thought struck me. / started up
and cried, o Ada! forgive me for going to sleep
30 soon. kaOtU you hare heard it!"
She unknis her brows, rose from her seat,
and came down and sat on the bed beside me.
II cannot deny it, she said graVely; az hare
keardu Now tell me, Lucy, does your amt
know anything of all this Z"
II am not sure" said al cannot be, be-
canSe am afraid to ask her. rather think
that she has beard some of the stories and lie
anxioasly trying to hide them from me, little
thinking of what have suffered here. She
has been very dull lately, and repines con-
stantly about the purchase of the house."
Weii," said Ada, 1--WE must tell her nothing
till we have sifted this matter to the bottom y
'"Why, what, are you going to do ," asked,
beginning to tremble.
Nothing very dreadful. little coward ~ she