The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-01-20

and started from the library.
81 will teach some fool better than to
be playing his tricks,'' he muttered.
Again and again sounded the solemn,
mournful wall, to guide the man in
his course. The cries were coming from
remote part of the building.
They ceased, but the master of The
Cedars kept on his way. The wine he
had taken added to his courage, and in
his anger he felt determined to reach
the bottom of the mystery.
AT length he reached the bottom of a
long oaken stairway, carved in fanciful
design. This stairway led into part
of the mansion that was unused, and
which echoed to the tread of human
footsteps scracely once in a year.
The master of The Cedars paused. He
possessed brute courage, but it was not
strange that he hesitated here, under the
circumstances. He considered for
moment, and then was about to turn
back, when once again that cry rang
out. 1t sounded so near at hand that
the man started in sudden fright.
He looked about him, but beheld no
one. Once more he was about to retrace
his steps, when he chanced to glance
up the stairway. Far up it, at the head,
he perceived dim light, and in the
light stood what seemed to be a tall
human figure, family outlined.
Brighter and brighter grew the light,
till the figure was defined clearly to
view.
The master of The Cedars stood for
time as though he was fascinated.
Then, with wild exclamation of super.
stitious fear, he turned and fled.
The face of the figure was like the
one that often came before his vision,
looking out of the waters of the sea, at
him.
Swiftly the terrified man sped from
one hall to another, till he reached the
library. He grasped Evans and shook
him till he awoke.
"Oh, Evans" he cried in terror, 81
have seen wrath, ghost, dreaml"
"The devil !" exclaimed Evans, still
half asleep.
No, not the devil, but worse. His
ghost !"
T" Whose ghost ?" asked Evans, more
wide awake, and becoming little
frightened himsel, looking wildly about
him. Where ?"
The master of The Cedars became
calmer.
heard some strange cries." he
returned, "and followed the sounds till
came to an oaken stairway in the west
wing. There, at the head of the stair
way, L beheld tall figure, shown by
mysterious light"
Perhaps your imagination deceived
you," said Evans, trembling some.
Mol tell you no"
The two men sat down, and there was
silence.
Outwardly, the master of The Cedars
was now calm enough, but his hands
were clenched till the nails were eating
into the palms, and dead weight was
upon his heart.
The clock struck one. The stroke
caused the two to start.
Let us retire." whispered Evans.
81 think we will both feel better in bed.
Besides, we need some rest"
The suggestion was acted upon, and
ten minutes later the heads of both
rested ON soft pillows, They were in
apartments that adjoined and opened
into each other. The doors between
were left unclosed.
The wine that Evans had drank, had
lost its effect on him. He could sleep
no longer, but tossed about restlessly.
He fancied that something oppressive
and frightful was in the very air.
'sI believe this cursed place is haunt
ed he muttered.
AT last be sank into slight doze.
A dull thud as of the contact of some
bodies, and which seemed to fairly
shake the building, reused Evans. He
sprang to sitting posture. In an
instant pistol shot rang out, reverber-
ating through the stone mansion with
hundred echoes. 1t was followed by a
terrible cry of pain, cry that seemed
scarcely human in its agony.
Dark clouds hung overhead, so black
and thick that not single star shone
through. zig-zag flashes of lightning
ran across the sky, at times. The thun-
der reverberated through the heavens