River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-12-09

plclOn which the landlords story had
impaired to him, he found a pretense
on which to make the acquaintance OF
Stephen Eastburn. The man impress
ed him unfavorably at the first sight.
Tall and gaunt of figure, with small,
restless gray eyes and false smile, he
seemed to be capable of any villainy.
The young man was careful to avoid
mentioning the supposed ghost, and
departed with an invitation to call
again.
On the fourth night Barclay again Sc
creted himself in the church 1t was
cold for the season, and he shivered III
his hiding place, despite his warm
clothing. Hour after hour passed
awav, and he was beginning to fear
that his errand would again prove fruit
less, when faint light in the body of
the church caught his eye. As it rose
higher, he could see that it proceeded
from a small heap of sticks collected
upon the stone floor Crouching over
it, and extended her thin fingers to the
flame, he beheld the figure of the young
girl. Evidently overcome with the
cold, she had ventured to indulge in
small comfort in the hope that it might
escape notice.
Pulling off his shoes, Barclay crept
up behind her and before she was aware
ofhis presence, seized her in is strong
grasp.
II knew you were no ghost" he said
smiling; though if you continue this
life much longer you will be one"
She uttered faint cry of terror, and
sunk upon her knees.
Spare me-" she sobbed. 81 am on
ly poor homeless, friendless girl who
never wronged any one. Why do you
pursue me?"
"For your own good, my poor girl"
he said kindly. 'Why will you not
believe in my good intentionsY'
"Why should II" she cried passion
ately. II id not my fathers trusted
friend, the man who was sworn to be
my second father seek my life?"
"Ahr said Barclay, with start
"My conjecture was true, then. He
decoyed you to the river, and after
believing you safely out of the way,
left your cloak and hat upon the bank
to give the impression that you COM
united suicide!
eyes" she answered; but the river
was more merciful than he, for it cast
me ashore alive. Sicklv with horror,
and madly afraid of the whole world, |
came here where my father lay, to
die upon his grave But it is hard for
one so young to die. | have lived here
these three months, suffering, freezing,
dying. That | was taken for my own
ghost was fortunate for me, for it kept
every one away from me, and aided
me to get what little would keep me
alive, after nightfall. And | have en-
couraged the superstition. Now you
know all. If you are that mans
emissary, may God forgive you and
help me-"
II am an emissary ofmercy' return
ed Barclay. II am here to do justice
on william and restore yon to your
rights VIII you trust and help me?"
She looked up at him.
"You have a good kind face" she
said, offering him her hand. II will
trust you"
Then" said Barclay, keep up the
character you have assumed for one
more day. Tomorrow night | shall
bring Eastburn here with witnesses.
Do you play on that organ when you
hear lis enter. When | turn the dark
lantern upon you arise and denounce
him as your murderer. We can safely
leave him to accuse himself.
II will do as you wish" she an
swercd, brokenly, GLOW can | thank
your"
"By following my directions" replied
Barclay, brusquely, to hide his own
emotion.
With few words more of advice he
left her. His next move was to go di-
rectly to the landlord of the inn, re-
late the whole story, and secure his
support.
At ten o'clock on the next night, in
company with the landlord, he called
upon stephen Eastburn. Cutting
short his smooth salutation, Barclay
said:
"Mr. Eastburn, the obscure manner
of your wards death has given rise to
strange rumOrs III the village. Her
spirit is said to wander i'll the old church.
We desire you to accompany us there
tonight in order to set those stories at
rest"
Eastburn's jaw dropped, his face be-
came livid, and he was barely able to
reply in quivering voice;
"Ghost! absurd! Do you mean to
make fool of me? | Will not go to
the church ut this hour of the night"
"Allow me to observe" said Barclay,
sternly, that the rumors. unless you
and in dissipating them, may eliminate
in charge of murder"
Something significant in his tone
seemed to render Eastburn suddenly
submissive.
"Of course | will go, out of polite
ness, if YOU insist We shall probably
bag a church mouse. They are prov
erbiallv so starved as to be incapable
of flight"
No reply was made to this lame at
tempt at humor, and III Il very I'M
comfortable frame of mind, he went to
the church and was shown into pew
in the dark between them. After
moment of silence the low tones ofthe
organ sounded through the church, ac-
companied by a woman's voice.
what is this?" cried Eastburn, start
ing up. "Whose voice was that?'
BE silent" said Barclay, sternly.
Good reason have you to hear that
voice with guilty horror .
At the same instant the glass from
his lantern fell broadly upon the organ.
Standing before it, looking down at
them, was the figure OF Ada Morton.
"Oh, God" groaned Eastburn, chok-
ingly. My sins have found me out.
She has come back from the other
world to accuse me of her death.
Eyes, said the girl solPmiy. stephen
Eastburn. you are my murderer.
Il confess it, shriekcd the terror
maddened wretch; II ask no mercy
from man, for the grave has condemn
ed me. Take me away-hide me
from this awful sight"
The light was turned out, and the
girls figure disappeared. The horror
smitten Eastburn, shrieking mingled
prayers and curses, was taken to the
village and imprisoned ON the double
charge of fraud and attempted muir
der. In the course oftime he WAS con-
yieted and punished.
On the same day that he was SEN
fenced, Barclay called upon Ada Nor
ton, now installed in her fathers
house. With her restoration to her
rights, she had recovered her health
arld hearty and II was with n strange