The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-02-05
Stephen Eastburn. Cutting short his smooth
salutation, Barclay said:

|
salutation, Barclay said
| 'Alr. E'stburn, the obscure manner If
your wards death has given rise to strange
rumors in the village. Her spirit is said t.
wander III the old church. We desire yo,
set these stories ut rest"
Eastburn's jaw dropped, his face grew
hYld, and he was barely able to reply in
quavering voice.
'ahost absurd DO you mean to max,
q fool of mc2 l will not 20 to the chu,cl
at this hour of the night"
| ALLOW me to observe" said Barclay
sternly, "that the rumors, unless you ait
IN disspatng them, may culminate in !,
charge of murder"
Something significant in his tone seemed
to render Eastburn suddenly submissive
''Of course will 90, out of politeness
ifyou insist. We shall probably bar
church mouse. They arc proverbally st
starved rs TO be incapable of flight"
No reply was made to his lame attenp
at humor, and in very uncomfortall,
frame of mind he went with them to tlt
| church, and was shown into a pew in th
dark between them. After a moment'
silence the low tones of the organ souude,
through the church, accompanied by
womans voice.
"What is this2" cried Eastburn, startin,
up. "Whose voice Is that2"
"Bc silent, 'said Barclay, sternly. "Goot
reason have you to hear that voice will
guilty horror"
AT the same instant the glass from hi
lantern fell broadly upon the organ. Stand
ing before it, looking down at them, wa,
the figure of Ada Morton.
ION, God" groancd Eastburn, cholS
ingly. 'My rs have found me out. She
has come back from the other world to ac-
cuse me of her DEATH"
'lcs, " SAID the girl solemnly "Stephcr
Eastburn, you are my murderer"
II confess it," Sricked the terror-mad
dened wretch. 81 ask no mercy from,
men, for the grave has condemned me.
Take me away-hidc me from this awful
sight,"
The hight was turned out and the girl's
figure disappeared. The horror-smltten
Eastburn, shriclilng mingled prayers and
curses, was taken to the village and i'm.
prisoncd OH 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 in.
stalled in her tathcr's house. With her
restoration to her rights she had recovered
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:
:" have called to say goodbye, Miss
Morton"
The bright smile faded from her face,
.''-11 .Iom are gong awavs i had honcd vo,,
My work here is donc,' he answered,
~ have restored you to your home, ,and'to
day your euemy receives the punishment
of his crimes. What more is there to doe"
"Nothing" she returned brokenly, "but
to forget the poor girl whom you have be-
fricndcd. That will be easy"
''No," he replied earnestly, $50 difficult
that shall never accomplish 1t. To stay
as your friend is impossible. | must 60
away and labor to crush out this longing,
this love for you which has overgrown my
whole heart, or stay to cherish it for your
sake. Tell me, dear Ada, which must
do 2"
She looked up at him shyly, and came
nearer to his side as she whispered:
"Stay."