Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-12-09

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 he
had met in the churchyard. She was
looking at him with an expression of
intense terror in her white face and
tear-wet eyes. As she stood covering
before him she reminded him of some
innocent animal crouching at the hunt
er's feet. With an accent of deep pity
he addressed her:
Il saw you in the churchyard night
before last; l spoke to you last night. [
am not an enemy, nor an idle curiosity
seeker. [ earnestly want to aid you.
VIII you not trust me-"
Keeping her eyes fixed upon him
with the same distrustful look, she an
swered in faint, far-off voice:
"Your friendship or your enmity can
be nothing to me. The world you live
in, by its wickedness and cruelty, drove
me to my death. / am doomed to this
place until justice is done upon my
destroyer"
you are trying to mislead me, - eX-
but q poor, starving, homeless young
girl. You have suffered miserably, and
l have resolved to restore you to your
rights, as well as cXactreparatiOn 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 bodily through her shape, she
melted into the shadows Of the place.
This timehe did not pursue her. Her
mysterious escape, which seemed
to confirm her own words, began to inn
press him with the belief that he had
indeed confronted a visitant from the
other world.
Next morning however, cool rehec-
ton taught him that he might easily
have deceived himself in his excite
ment. He therefore resolved all the
more obstinately to pursue the investi-
cation.
For three nights following he secret
ed himself in the church and awaited
her appearance, but his WatcA was
fruitless. This caution on her part fully
convinced him that he was dealing with
human being and not with an impal-
pable phantom.
Meantime i'll pursuance of the sus-
picion which the landlords story had
impaired to him, he found pretense
on which to make the acquaintance of
Stephen Eastbun. The man impress
ed him mfavOrably at the first sight
Tall and gaunt of figure, with small,
restless gray eyes and a false smile, he
seemed to be capable of any yillainy
The young man was careful to avoid
mentioning the supposed ghost, and
departed with an invitation to call
again.
On the fourth night Barclay again Sc
GREETED himself in the church 1t was
cold for the season, and he shivered in
his hiding-pIace, despite his warm
clothing. Hour after hour passed
away, and he was beginning to fear
that his errand would again prove fruit
less, when a faint light in the body Of
the church caught his eye. AS it rose
higher he could see that it proceeded
from a small heap Of sticks collected
upon the stone floor Crouching over
it, and extended her thin fingers to the
flame, he beheld the figure of the young
girl. Evidently overcome with the
cold, she had ventured to indulge in
small comfort in the hope that it might
escape notice.
Pulling off his shoes, Barclay crept
up behind her and before she was aware
ofhis presence, seized her in is strong
grasp.
Il knew you were no ghost" he said
smiling; though if you continue this
life much longer you will be one"
She uttered faint cry of terror, and
sunk upon her knees.
Spare me-" she sobbed 81 am on
ly a 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
believe in my good intentions?"
"Why should I?' she cried passion
ately. cid not my fathers trusted
friend, the man who was sworn to be
my second father seek my life?"
'AhI' said Barclay, with Il start.
''My conjecture was true, then. He
decoyed you to the river, and after
believing you safely out of the way,
left your cloak and hat upon the bank
to give the impression that you COM
mitted suicidew
"Yes," she answered; but the river
was more merciful than he, for it cast
me ashore alive. Sicllly with horror,
and madly afraid of the whole world, [
came here where my father lay, to
die upon his grave. But it is hard for
one SO young to die. [ have lived here
these three months, suffering, freezing,
dying. That was taken for my own
ghost was fortunate for me, for it kept
every one away from me, and aided
me to get what little would keep me
alive, after nightfall. And | have en-
couraged the superstition. Now you
know all. If you are that mans
emissary, may God forgive you and
help me-"
II am an emissary of1nercy' return
ed Barclay 81 am here to do justice
on william and restore yon to your
rights. VIII you trust and help me-"
She looked up at him.
''You have good kind face" she
said, offering him her hand. Il will
trust you"
Then" said Barclay, keep up the
character you have assumed for one
more day. Tomorrow night [ shall
bring Eastburn here with witnesses.
Do you play on that organ when you
hear lis enter. When [ turn the dark
lantern upon YOU arise and denOunce