Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-02-08
,The Stnrp Teller.
KATE KENNE'DY'S GHOST.
BY MRS. HENRY DEAs.
) CHAPTER XII.

afternoon which witnessed the arrival OF the
party from the Castle. The setting sun shed
q mellow light on the time-stsined walls and
quaint brown roof, over which green moss
j and clinging lichens had crept thicker and
thicker with advancing years, and cast long
shadows on the grass, from the venerable trees
which stood sentinel around it. The most
complete silence reigned around, broken faint
" now and then by the tinkle of distant
cow,bell, as some herd-boy drove his charge
homeward by the burr of a grasshopper, or
q cricket's evening chirp. It seemed as though
the spot were quite, deserted by all human
kind. T
"There ought to be some one here" said
the Earl, as he cast a glance at, the closely
barred Windows aud doors of the lovely old
dwelling. ~ know an old man and his wife
have it in charge. but perhaps they can be
found in some Of the outbuildings. Judson,
do you 20 and explore the premises; and if
YOU ind nobody, return and take one of the
carriage horses, and ride over quickly to the
village inn, where, no doubt, you can obtain
all necessary information"
Judson departed on his quest, and present
ly came back escorting very feeble old wo-
man, who stared in great bewil wilderment at the
unexpected guests waiting for admission. She
was dreadfully deaf, and the Earl found it
impossible to make his wishes Ineligible to
her comprehension At last Geraldine came
to the rescue, and without shouting nearly SO
loud as his lordship had DONE managed to ex-
plain who they we're, and that they had come
down here to pay little visit s,1....,.
"a little visit! Lord. my lady, you'll find
things all upside. down" said the oil dame,
with discouraging shake Of the head. my
old man, he's got the rheumatic dreadfully
bad, and amt been fit to see arter nothing
for a long spell. Everything's going to racket
and ruin, but I can't hinder it. / told Mr..
Peterson, the agent" Il. ..
aNeyer mind all that now," impatiently in
terrupted the Earl. "Tell her, Geraldine,
that all we want is to get into the house, and
we'll see about arranging matters as we'll as
We can" !. ,.... ...sg-
''The dust is over everything, my lady, and
the moths is that thick in the cuttings and
carpets that you could sweep em up with a
broom" .. .-.. .tl. .....-....n-, ....
"Ask her if there are any decent beds in
the rooms" said Lord Desborough. a..t
"Beds? Yes, my lady, there's beds enough,
but the hangings is all torn and mildewed,
and the rats is awful at night, in the garret." :"
"Never mind that-only let us in, please" !"
said Geraldine. "You have the keys, have
you not? !" .....'t III -: -,
Eyes, my lady, I've got the keys" With
much sighing and grosning, and doleful head
shaking, the ancient dame at length unlocked
the front door, and ushered them in. The
interior had damp, mouldy smell, and pre-
sented such forlorn and uninviting aspect,
that at 6rst sight it really struck one as doubt:
fII whether It could be made at all hsbitable
on such short nstice. ..., ..
Lord Desborough looked around with an
expression of disgust. "This is even worse
than expected" he exclaimed. "You see,
Geraldine, what place have brought you
to-! What do you say? Shall we 60 on at
once to the village, and take up our quarters
there for the night? I think that will be our
best plan" .,... .. .-....... ..... ..... ..
"Oh don't. think that will be necessary"
reioined Geraldine, cheerfully. "With very
small amount of trouble, believe we can
succeed in q short time in making the rooms
comfortable. The first thing will be to light
fires everywhere then Judson can sweep and
clean up the parlor and dining-room, and
Alice and will take the bedrooms in hand"
"Alice and you" repeated the Earl. ut is
out of the question, Geraldine, that you should
fatigue yourself with work of this kind. 1t
is not at all worth while"
"Just leave that to me, my lord, and do
not worry yourself at all about it I.have
fairy at command, who will execute my orders
without any trouble said Geraldine, in a
playful tone, as she motioned him toward the
door. At that moment she looked pretty,
and the Earl noticed it, and allowed his gaze
to rest upon her, with mingled satisfaction and
surprise. The truth was, she felt delighted
at the opportunity of proving to him how
willingly and how successfully she could exert
herself for his comfort, and the little excite.
ment brought sparkle to her eyes, and an
unwopted glow to her usually pale cheeks
Bidding Alice follow her, she made her way
to the close, dingy back-rooms, and quickly
throwing open the shutters, let the fresh even
ing air rush in.
"Now Alice, light fire in each of these
chimneys. as quickly as you can, and, mean.
while, III see what can be done with these
worm-eaten old curtains. I'll pull them all
down, think" ... ....
1t is surprising how much willing hands can
accomplish in short pace Of time. Alice,
melted by her mistress example, worked with
a will, and in less than an hour the two best
bedrooms, swept, aired and warmed, and the
furniture carefully busted and neatly arrang-
ed, were ready for use. Geraldine then, bid
ding her young assistant prepare another
apartment for her own use, again sought the
regions in the front of the house, to discover
how Judson was coming on in his share of the
work of reform. She found that functionary
standing in the centre of the parlor, gazing
around him with rather disconsolate air.
He had put things to rights to the best of bis
ability, but still, in his eyes, there was more
lack than his inventive genius could supply.
II don't see how to make you and my lord
in any ways comfortable, my lady" he said, in
melancholy tone, which brought smile to
her face. "Pve done my best-but still"
AOh! you have done very we'll" replied his
mistress, as he came to an expressive pause.
II shall just put little finishing touch here
and there, which is all that is needed now.
Where is your master%
"Walking up and down in front of the
house, my lady. He said as how the horses
and carriage should wait, as he supposed
you'd have to 90 to the "Bloxton Arms" for
the night, after all"
"But you can tell him that it will not be
necessary for US to 60 to the "Bloxton Arms, !"
Judsoh and if he wishes you for anything
now, YOU can attend to it at once By'the-by,
how about supper?'
."Oh! spoke to the old woman about that
nv lady. She engaged to have some eggs and