The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-23

and secreted himself near the organ. AS
before it was nearly midnight before he
became conscious of the presence OF an
other person in the building. On this
occasion the organ was not played, but
there was a slight rustic as of woman S
dress, and presently he heard the same
low bitter weeping.
Quickly arising he shot the rays of the
lantern in the direction whence the
sounds proceeded. Not more than three
yards from him in the broad glare of the
light he beheld the girl whom he had
met in the churchyard. She was looking
at him with IN expression of intense ter
ror in her white face and tear-wet eyes.
As she stood covering before him she
reminded him of the innocent animal
crouching at the hunters feet. With
an accent of deep pity he addressed
her
II saw you in the churchyard night
before last, l spoke to you last night. l
am not an enemy, nor an idle curiosity
seeker. l earnestly want to aid you.
| Will you not trust me?'
| Keeping her eyes fixed upon him with
the same distrustful look, she answered
in faint, far-off voice:
"Your friendship or your enemity can
be nothing to me. The world you live
in by its wickedness and cruelty, drove
me to my death. 1 am doomed to this
place until justice is done upon my
| destroyer"
lyon are trying to mislead me- ex-
claimed Barclay. lyon are no spirit,
but poor. starving homeless young
girl You have suffered miserably and l
have resolved to restore you to your
rights, as well as exact reparation from
the man who has wronged you
He advanced toward her as he spoke
and stretched out his arms to seize her.
In an instant she seemed uncertain how
to act, then even as his hand seemed to
pass boldly through her shape, she
melted into the shadows of the place.
This time he did not pursue her. Her
mysterious escape, which seemed to con-
firm her own words. began to impress
him with the belief that he had indeed
confronted a visitant from the other
world.
Next morning. however. cool reflection
taught him that he might easily have de-
ceived himself in his excitement. He
therefore resolved all the more obsti-
For three nights following he secreted
himself in the church and awaited her
appearance. but his watch was fruitless
This caution on her part fully convinced
him that he was dealing with a human
being and not with an impalpab bic phan-
tom.
Meantime in pursuance of the suspi-
cion which the landlords story had i'm
parted to him. ne found a pretense on
which to make the acquaintance of
Stephen Eastburn. The man impressed
him unfavorably at the rirs. sight Tall
and gaunt of figure, with small, restless
gray eyes and false smile, he seemed to
Barclay to be capable of any villainy
The Young man was careful to avoid
mentioning the supposed ghost, and de-
parted with an invitation to call again.
On the fourth day Barclayagain secreted
himself in the church. 1t was cold for
the season. and he shivered in his hiding
place, despite his warm clothing. Hour
after hour passed away, and lie was be-
! ginning to fear that his errand would
again prove frultless, when a faint light
in the church caught his eye. As
rose higher, he could see that it pro-
ceeded from a small heap Of sticks col
lected upon the stone floor. Crouching
over it and extending her thin fingers to
the flame, he beheld the figure of the
young girl. Evidently overcome with
the cold. she had ~entured to indulge in
this small comfort in the hope that it
might escape notice.
Pulling of his shoes, Barclay crept up
behind her. and before she was aware of
his presence, seized her in his strong
grasp.
81 knew you were no ghost" he said.
smiling: though if you continue this
life much longer you will soon become
one"
She uttered a faint cry of terror, and
sunk upon her knees.
"Spare me, she sobbed 81 am only
. 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 be-
lieve me in my good intentions?'
why should I?' she cried passion
ately, Did not my fathers trusted
friend, the man who had sworn to be my
second father. seek my liie?"
''Ahw said Berclay, with a start. my
conjecture was true, then. He then de-
coyed You to the river, and after believ-
ing you safely out Of the way, left your
cloak and hat upon the bank to give the
impression that you had committed sui
cide?''
YES" she answered; "but the river
was more merciful than he, for it cast me
IL II. Ill ii