The Russellville Democrat., 1880-08-05

k stones; but now, standing on tiptoe or
 the brink of the bridge, he only. strovs
 to grasp the topmost branch 1o of the
 haunted tree. It evaded him. however
 and he was more than once in danger ol
 falling into the brook. But he was not 2 man to be daunted and seized it at
 last. Securing firmer footing, he drew the slight tree toward him, rutblessly pulled the sharp knife from his stick, 4 and began to hack and tug at the partic- ular branch he had secured. Alter much exertion and determination he managed to sever it from the trunk. ~ | You've cut off her armand her | headl" shouted Giyn, aroused from his trance. @lst a&E 4ef1a8aT gamv bRa -b ,"Her head~ ,shrieked the decapitated ghost. ,,-., ts -.s - -. 2 l Back went the Superintendent, and saw that all that remained of that much abused apparition was the lower part of her transparency s1ew sw w0& as q am sorry to have spoilt the tree, but glad to have laid bare its tricks" he said, as if he Md caught a. thief You see, Glyn, that the branches have grown into the skeleton of human being, as seen from this particular spot and mo- where else. When the moon is full, she shines through the intervening space, and lights, 1t into spirit, A step this way or that dispels the illusion I have chopped of the principal branch and destroyed the ghost"A .ts.f sIsm Come away" said Captain Glyn, stes- tily, not caring to be convinced against l his will, - ,.. - lt Nevertheless the spectre had been an optical delusion, caused precisely as Mir. Superintendent Pryse, had described 1t: | but when afterward the truth was noised abroad, the country folk only said: Well surel there's brave Pryse, Super, IS, to | be killing a ghost! but she is talking all the same" The echo naturally remained after the tree was mutilated.a ss
 "I have q policeman stationed near here whom I must look up," said Pryse, as he crossed the style between Gwy-. will walk on, Il will join you by short cut across the fields, at the end of the wood" H4R A4tE # sHE #
 Glyn gladly assented, for he desired solitude to smooth his ruffled feathers. He felt aggrieved, and having been made superstitious in childhood by ignorant domestics, inclined to remain so in man. hood. He almost believed that the. ghost had been frightened away .and would reappear elsewhere. ts..s, .. He was soon to be strengthened in this belief, for just before emerging from the wood he was startled by something white perched in one of the trees.s As he paused it slipped down and preceded him into the road, where 1t stood as if awaiting him. Glancing at it in alarm, he perceived that it was the figure of a woman, and doubted not that it was the dislodged spectre. M baa fssas5e s9s
 Trembling ali over, he tried to pass her by with an aDologetic bow, being al- ways chivalrously polite to the ladies. His ciyllity was answered by . fantastic courtesy. a,li VI Will accompany you, ST. she said, as he strove to hurry her on. It was the voice of the tree-spirit. he thought.
 Certainly, madam, if you please,n he replied, poIiteness struggling with ter TOT. A3A Aar a
 She walked rapidly by his side, quick ening her pace as he quickened his.s When he ventured to look at her he saw only white face, white arms, white drapery. It was at least satisfactory that the cruel executioner had not, after all, amputated a limb. ss,, .,s,.gr r, w ef
 T am going home; where are you go- ing, sir?" she said, after brief silence.
 To-to-to- Trefayon," he stam- mered. pasgss aaasasif-s ssF iA
 "Ha, Ina, Ina! I live nearer, she cried in an unearthly voice. t
 He was thankful to hear it, and urged his failing legs to impossible efforts. <,
 They had long passed the spot where his friend was to join him, and soon reached the cross roads.
 "This way, sir," she said, waving her hand; and he took the wrong road ine obedience to her spiritual influence. |. eo They were now outside the parish of TrefavOn, and the road led through a baronial property. Ina lonely tree-ern- powered spot by the wayside stood "a l small church, or more properly chapel ot ease to, a distant church, which he had seen more than once, and which he had been told was haunted
 Beware of Pryse, Superintendent" said the ghost, as they approached this place. fu
 q will-indeed will" muttered the Captain, devoutly wishing he had never seen his old friend.
 When they reached the churchyard gate the spirit paused and extended her hand toward the sacred building. r |
 "Good-night, sir. l live herep she said, and she glided through the gate.
 The spell-bound Captain saw her wan der about a few moments in the moon light, making fantastic movements, then vanish. When she finally disappeared, he fell heavily to the ground and fainted
 Meanwhile, the Superintendent had reached the trysting place, and not find- ing him there, supposed he had walked on. He set of briskly to overtake him. His soldierly onslaught having taken more time, and lecture to teInporari- ly missing policeman more, it was later than he supposed. He was met by his trusty Williams.
 Ut can't be 10, surely" he exclaimed.
 "Half-past, sir" was the reply.
 "DId you meet Captain Glyn"
 "No, sir" as,t, rH Ie nfl
 "Then he has taken the wrong turn ing. We must go back" ...5s
 They took the road to the chapel, where they found Glyn as we left him.
 "A drunken man! How can we get him to the loek-up2" they both cried, poking him with their pastoral slaves.
 Bless us, sir, 1t is Captain GlynW said Williams, leaning over the eprostrate figure.
 "Ghosts. not drink" muttered Pryse, stepping also. f
 They upllfted him, and Williams, to the scandal of tine chief, took a flask from his pocket and administered what he and Dr. Jones called, a pick-me-up. This restored consciousness, but, seeing that he looked like a man dazed and