The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-17

startled listeners.
"Great Heaven! what is that ?" asked
Lizzie, in terrified whisper, clinging to
her scarcely less frightened companion.
For one awful moment they stood mo-
tionless, holding fast to each other; then
Kate rallied her courage.
A breathless rush of light feet over the
echoing floor, and they had gained their
shelter; but just as the door closed upon
their retreating figures, that unearthly
laugh again resounded through the
house-and this time it had tone of
triumph.
For while there was no further dis
turbance, and they were beginning to
feel more at ease, when rapid succession
of groans, footsteps, and poundings broke,
upon the silence of the night.
At length they threw their tired forms
upon the bed without undressing, and to-
ward morning fell into heavy slum-
ber.
The next nj ght was repetition of the
previous one, the next of snat, and SO on,
for week.
What was to be done The girls were
growing haggard with excitement and loss
of sleep, and sadly admitted that the pres
ent state of things could not continue.
Should they relinquish their darling
scheme and go back to life of labor and
boarding houses? Never! There was @
whole volume of ghost defying resolution
in their tones. Apply to the agent ? Yes,
and be laughed at, as couple of silly,
Iuperstitious girls. Hire man to sleep in
The house Then good-by to their boasted
womanly independence. Each plan was
vetoed as soon as suggested.
81 tell you, Lizzie," said Kate, one
morning, "write to Mr.. Carroll"
After some delay, with much half-mer-
nv chatting from Kate, Lizzie wrote, Civ
ing detailed account of their trouble,
and asking his counsel as to their best
course IN Jne emergency.
1t was on the second evening, as they
sat upon the bear-skin before the fire, the
only comfortable place in the house, Won
dering how many nights of terror, must
elapse ere they heard from their friend
and what his answer would be, that Lutte,
answering stirring knock upon the door
ushered in the very object of their specu-
lations.
How the homely, honest face frightened
the lonely room cob" The cry of
clad surprise burst simultaneously from
both girls as they sprang eagerly forward
to welcome him. They did not think his
greeting too demonstrative now. Kate's
bright eyes were brimming with tears Of
Joy and Lizzie's hand lay willingly enough
in his prolonged clasp.
"Now tell me all about it" he said in a
tone which somehow completely lifted the
burden from their shoulders, and drawing
their chairs closer to the freside, they be.
gan 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, ht
said, quietly:
81 will stay tonight and watch with
you; but do not let those negroes suspec
my purpose, for imagine they are at th'
bottom of the mischief"
Accordingly, at ten o'clock, auntsDebby
was called to bring light, to show thu
visitor out, the girls following into tn
hall with merry good-byes."
"Be sure to come again soon," salt
Lizzie, with parting smile. "You viii
have to walk fast to catch the train
"And don't be alarmed if you meet
rlrost in the avenue" added audaciou
Kate. l"Willowdale is said to be haunted
Aunt Debby glared at her.
After ten minutes walk under tn
leahess willows, Mr.. Carroll was SILENT
rc-admitted, and escorted up stairs.
A room at the front of the house, hal
library, half dressing room, commandin
view of the long hall, was chosen as tn
watch tower. 1t was strange situatio
Had any one week before, predicted sue
thing, the girls would have met it wit
lerisive laughter. But now, though the
we're fully alive to the irregularity of tn
affair, they were too grateful-had to
much confidence in their friend, to max
any prudish demur. Mr.. Carroll, toe
though he made no allusion to their anon
alous position, evidently appreciated i
he dropped entirely that air of light ga
lantry which was such bette noir to tt
} girls, and spoke and acted with the grav
ty of an octogenarian.'
Bat would the noises never begin?
they should fail on this one night, wh'
predicament they would be in F! IL
glrls had become eager as they had b
fore been fearful. But just as they wei