The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-11-20
THE TIMES, NEW BLOOMFIELD. Pa NOVEMBER 30 1871


will laugh ot me for backing out at the
last moment, so l will be brave and win
my fortune"
Despite her forced bravery, she felt
something like shudder creep through
her frame, as, IN the midnight silence,
she traversed the long, dim passage and
opened the door of the unoccupied state
chamber.
One involuntary glance she gave be-
fore entering, There was large, shad-
owy room, with the great mahogany
four-post bedstead, looming up, with its
heavy draperles; and she caught the
duslly gleam of the mirror, which faced
her on the opposite side of the room, ex-
actly at the foot of the bed
1t was hasty glance, for she remem-
bered that, according to Hattie's instruc-
tions, she was to look neither to the
right nor to the left;' and so she walked
steadily, yet noiselessly, across the floor,
deposited the lamp on the old-fashioned
bureau, took tiny bite of her apple,
and with both hands, that aOouJd trem-
bic, commenced combing the glossy
tresses which fell in golden flood
around her slender figure, robed in its
pure, white garments.
A moment passed Barbara slowly
passing the comb through her hair, lis
tened, with beating heart for the strik-
ing of the clock.
She felt nervous, and wished she had
not undertaken this silly experiment.
Then she became conscious of a vague
feeling of superstitious awe.
What if, after all, there should be
soneth6ng in these old-time supersti-
tionsg What if something should APP
pear to her, and But what was that
slight, almost imperceptible sound be-
hind her? Had some one touched her
hairF Was some mysterious, impalpa-
BILE presence near her?
At the thought her heart stood still,
and her very blood seemed curdling in
her veins. She heard the sound of the
old clock in the hall below striking, one,
t,OOp and it was not until the last stroke
rang out that she dared to raise her eyes
to the mirror before which she stood
Gracious heavensl There was face
reflected in that glass-a strange face,
dark and handsome, and but indistinctly
seen, as, out of the shadowy depths be-
hind her, it looked over hershoulder full
into the startled eyes reelected in the
mirr0r.
Barbara gave one look one shrek, and
in her nervous terror, fell fainting to the
floor.
Meantime, how Jared it with Josie
Booker?
Josie conscious that her mother would
disapprove of her proposed moonlight
expedition, waited till Tom returned
from his knight-errant service, and took
himdnto her confidence.
In consideration of her writing his
weeks school exercises, he undertook to
stand sentry at the back door, while she,
repeating certain incantations and invo
cations, as solemnly enioined by Hattie,
slowly paced backward down the garden
walk.
Though in her night dress-an indis-
pensible requisite to the success of the
spell-she had taken the precaution to
envelop herself in waterproof cloak,
both to escape observation and to guard
against possible cold.
There was nothing white visible about
her except a cluster of curl-papers pro-
jecting from under the cloak hood.
Tom, kicking his frosty feet on the
stone steps, whistled in low key, as he
watched his sisters dark figure gradually
recede in the moonlight, thinking to
himself how troublesome and silly girls
were.
From this mood he was aroused by a
CHEEKY voice behind him, as somebody
entered the yard gate.
Why, Tom, old fellow; studying
astronomy for to-morrow's class ?''
1t was Philip Lane, Hattie's lawyer
brother, who had been for weeks prom
ising to his aunt and sister visit.
Lor' = said Tom, how ever did you
come here, unless you dropped from the
moon ?'
arrived, an hour ago, by terres-
tial conveyance. Where are the girls,
Tom It's time they should be at home.
And how is Miss Josie ?"
Now, Tom Booker was n precocious
youth, and at this moment brilliant
idea flashed upon his brain.
" Hush ~ he said, in whisper. ''The
girls are gone to bed long ago, and Pm