The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-01-27

ltdES lOT, III bntS WINS sO, IL cShuniohVu
beyond doubt the fact that the figure
was no creature of the imagination, no
wrath, no ghost.
AS the two men started on their return
to their sleeping apartments, woody
head was stuck out of hole that led
toward the kitchen.
"'Foah heaben, Massa Cashel," said
a thick voice, "what am de mattery Is
dar any danger ?"
eco back to your bed, you black
wench,'' said the master of The Cedars
Grossly. "The danger is all past"
"Was dag anybody killed ?" contin-
ued the serV INT, curiosity oyermasterlng
fear of her masters displeasure.
mol" was the harsh reply.
Such was the character of the man,
that even terror could not melt him to
kindness toward the black creatures,
who served him faithfully always.
"There has been an attempt at burg
lary," said Evans, as they searched once
more the sleeping apartments
Your ghost, Cashel, was, think, a
very solid thiefl'
The master of The Cedars made no
audible reply.
Would to heaven L could believe
that was all ~ was his thought.
Evans, you can sleep with me the
remainder of the night" he muttered.
Ere Evans scarcely touched the couch,
he was fast asleep, for he considered that
all sounds were accounted for by the
theory of burglars, and that, they being
gone, there was no further danger
But there was no sleep for the master
of The Cedars. He could only lie listen
ing to the sounds of the storm without,
and thinking of the events of the night.
Naught else occurred to disturb him
or the slumbering Evans. Morning
dawned, and he arose. He went down
to the library leaving Evans still asleep.
Presently the negro servant, SAINT
appeared.
"'Clar' to goodness, Massa Cashel !"
he exclaimed, somebody hab gone
killed old Leo"
81 know it," said his master gruffiy.
Have him taken away from the door
way; and be sure that the blood on the
door is washed off. "
The storm had lulled as suddenly as it
had arisen, the sky had cleared, and the
sun came up in golden splendor. The
man threw open window of the libra
ry, and looked out. The birds were
singing in the still damp trees, and all
nature was bright and fresh, seeming to
be rejoicing that the storm was past.
The master Of The Cedars began to
feel better He wondered If, after all,
his imagination had not deceived him
to certain extent. The sunshine, the
light of day, dispelled his fears. He felt
ready to believe that Evans's idea was
the correct once. The figure that he
had seen was naught but some robber,
bent on plundering. And the robber
had killed Leo.
How easy it was for the man to per-
suade himself, now, that the theory
which was acceptable to him, which
quieted his fears, which lulled his appre-
tensions, was the correct one.
"Bah !" he said finally, "that thought
Of mine was a mere absurdity. must
have been badly frightened to be go
deceived. Ha, ha can 1 not stand the
sudden flash of light shining upon tall
burglar 2"
Victor experienced feeling of intense
relief. The figure that had been buffet
ed so cruelty was not that of human
being, he perceived at length, but was,
instead, a mere image, a model.
t'What means this wild scene ?"
Victor muttered.
He thought of the reality it might
portend, and shuddered. Was the idiot
being trained SO that he could be the
means ofa terrible retribution :
Surely, no other inference could be
drawn.
Victor turned away from the window
and went back toward the stable. His
clothing was soaking wet from the fall
ing rain, but he had now no wish to
enter the hut, for he knew not what
kind of reception he might meet
Victor was brave man when circum-
stances demanded, but he was not one
to rush recklessly into danger, and he
realized that there might be great dan
ger in entering this place.
Il prefer the companionship of my
horse to that of these people," he said
to himself. 81 can endure, this disagree