Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-08-21

pected to see struggling on before him,
and which he thought to overtake that ht
might lend his strong arm to support
could not be discovered path wind
ing plainly ahead lor considerable dis
tance was before him, but that was all
That the girl could have ouslripped him
was impossible. The glimpse he had
obtained OF her revealed slight petite
lOrm, and one whose strength was un.
equal to the struggle OF making much
Roadway against such tempest. That
she must have wandered from the beaten
path seemed evident; and. pausing, he
peered around IN every direction. Moth
ing but waste OF low land. lying be
tween the bills, with single tree in its
cenue, and from which il had taken its
name, met his sight.
A thought OF the story OF the ghost
said to haunt this lonely spot because oi
the murder OF a rich traveller near the
lonely tree, fitted through his mind,
but only to be smiled down the next instant
as bit of superstitious nonsense OF the
ignorant villagers. Aud then even the
most credulous had never proiessed TO
have seen anything but the spirit OF the
murdered man, with his gaping wounds.
and this especial apparition was surely q
woman; and though she had mysteri-
ously disappeared, he had not a doubt OF
her being tangible flesh and blood.
Upon arriving at his destination be
spoke of the messenger having outstrip-
ped him in some unaccoLntable manner
to Father Flynn, and questioned as TO
which OF The tall lasses (who were clus-
tered around the fire with tear-swollen
faces. tor their mother lay dying) it was
had been so swift OF ioot and so brave.
For some moments the old man stared
at the minister with vacant expression.
Then it changed 10 troubled one, and
shaking his head, he sank his voice al
most to a whisper as he replied: 1T was
neither Of them, sir A fortY.holse power
couldn't draw one o my girls through
Lone Tree Dell after dark"
WHO csme tor me?" questioned Nj.
S,lbY
~Oae ofthe Smith boys, and he lowed
ho'd % al! night wiJh one OF his chums.
|. were 50 dark. and mother - bad, and
sept wishing f5I ye, that | thought may
be YOU woud.ul mind conip' 'spcsiy -
Yen don't pa, no dependence on that al
gt,s, story. Tho".a 10 ne plain With
yen. sir. some strange things happen
doga by that ioue tree alter dark
Turircre3ulous smi!e upon the Aco ci
N,. 10y answered han, and Uyoug-;
oat '.e-h protest.
I've lived here gaia' CA ten years,
and tel you some mighty strange
things have been soia' on down thar"
4 grosa from the sufferer, whose feet
were slancine Gear The rivers bank aud
waiicg only tor the summons, interrupt
ed the revelation, and drow all 10 the
bedside. Scenes Of this kind were BE-
Coming familiar 10 ihe young pastor, yet
they were always iueNpyassib|y sad and
solemn.
Upon his occasion, c.oqaont were his
,Nb,rn,ions and PRAYERS. ~ he spoke
words o. cheer aud comfort. Then. As
The invalid sank into the le,harey which
ptcceieS de- tn he took his departure,
leaving her to the miuis,ra.ions OF kind
neighlors and friends.
The wind has somewhat abated when
be turned his steps homeward through
the glen. and the grief OF the poor family
he had just left was pressing upon his
mind TO the exclusion of all else until he
had accomplished halt the distance, and
had reached the viciaity OF the lone tree.
Then the fact OF the M sterious appear
ance near the spot of some unknown f.
male forced itself upon him unpleasanily.
and he iuvOluntarily looked around. AT
The moment u low iLosn broke through
the pauses of the wind with emphatic
dislinctneSs, abd caused the cheeks OF
the brave pastor TO grow shade more
pale, and his hair to slightly rise.
And il cannot be denied that for an
instant Mr. S.lby meditated taking to
.his heels in ignominious flight. 1t is to
be presumed that be would never have
acknow ledgcd, even to himself, that
such was the fact; and upon second
thought he resolved 10 investigate the
matter. and ignore all ghostly stories.
Accordingly, he turned his steps to the
lone tree from which the sound came,
and TO his CONSERVATION distinctly dis
cerned the identical woman. or girl, who
had fitted like a vision before him upon
his coming.
The figure was half reclining against
the rough trunk of the tree, and upon his
addressing it, he received a low moan
Tor reply. Some poor creature had
wandered from the path, and was nearly
persisted from the storm and cold.
Stopping, he gathered her up in his arms,
and carried her TO his home, where ne
knew y good fire in his study was await
ipe him, even il his careful hOusekeeper
had retired.