The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-23
said, Offering him her hand, 81 will trust

said, Offering him her hand' Il VIII trust
YOU"
''Then," said Barclay, "keep up the
character you have assumed for one more
day. Tomorrow night l shall bring
Eastburn here with witnesses. Do you
play on that organ when you hear us
enter. When l turn the dark lantern
upon you. rise, and denounce him as
your murderer. We can safely leave
him to accuse himself"
81 will do as you wish" she answered.
"How can thank you?"
"By following my directions" re-
piled Barclay, brusquely, to hide his
own emotion.
With a few words more of advice he
left her. His next move was to go
directly to the landlord of the inn, re-
late the whole story and secure his sup
port.
At 10 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 in the village. Her
spirit is said to wander in the old church.
We desire you to accompany us there to-
night in order to set their stories at
rest"
Eastburn's jaw dropped, his face grew
livid, and he was barely able to reply in
quavering voice.
''Ghost? ghost! Do you mean to make
a fool of me? will not go to the church
at this hour of the night"
"Allow me to observe" said Barclay,
sternly, "that the rumors, unless you
aid in dissipating them, may culiminate
ina charge of murder"
Something significant in his tone
seemed to render Eastburn suddenly
submissive.
"Of course I will go, out of polite
ness, if you insist. We will probably
bag a church mouse. They are proverb-
tally so starved as to be incable OF
flight"
No reply was made to this lame at
tempt at humor, and in very uucom-
Portable frame of mind he went with
them to the church, and was shown into
a pew in the dark between them. After
moments silence the low tones of the
organ sounded through the church, ac-
companied by a woman's voice.
What Is this?" cried Eastburn, start
Ing up. w uOSS NOICC II thut'
BE silent" said Barclay, sternly.
Good reason have you to hear that
voice with guilty horror
At the same instance 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 Inc of her death.
Yes" said the girl solemnly.
stephen Eastburn, you are my MUIR
derer.
Il confess it." shrieked the terror
madened wretch; Il ask no mercy from
men, for the grave has condemned me.
Take me away-hide me from this aw-
ful sight
The light was turned out and the girls
figure disappeared. The horror-stricken
Eastburn, shrieking mingled prayers and
curses, was taken to the village and i'm
prisoned on the double charge of fraud
and attempted murder. In course of
time he was convicted and punished
On the same day that he was sentenced
Barclay called upon Ada Morton, now
installed in her fathers house. With
her restoration to her rights she had re-
covered her health and beauty, and it
was with a strange feeling of mingled
hope and fear that the young man took
her hand and said:
Il have called to say goodbye. Miss
Morton"
The bright smile faded from her face
and look of pain came in its place.
''You are going away? l had hoped
YOU would stay with us.
my work here is done" he answered.
81 have restored you to your home, and
to-day your enemy receives the punish
ment of his crimes. What more is there
to do 2"
Nothing" she returned brokenly,
"bu. to forget the poor girl whom you
have befriended. That will be easy"
NO" he replied earnestly, $50 diff
cult that / shall never accomplish it. To
stay as your friend is impossible.
must go away and labor to crush ont this
longing, this love for you which has over
grown my whole heart, or stay to cher
ish it for your sake. Tell me. dear Ada,
which must do?"
She looked up at him shyly, and came
nearer to his side as she whispered
Stay"
A Washington reporter Of the World
has discovered that the notes of his in
terview with Senator Conkling in April,
1878. are fuller than they we're trans
lated at shs time. He has made literal