River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-08-25


Stephen Eastburn. The man impress
ed him unfavorably at the first sight.
Tall and gaunt of figure, with small,
restless gray eyes, and false smile, he
seemed to Barclay to be capable of
any villainy. The young man was
careful to avoid mentioning the sup
posed ghost, and departed with an in
vitation to call again.
On the fourth night Barclay again Sc
creted himselfin the church. 1t was cold
for the season, and he shivered in his
hiding place, despite his warm cloth
ing Hour after hour passed away,
and he was beginning to fear that, his
errand would again prove fruitless,
when faint light in the body of the
church caught his eye. As it rose
higher, he could see that it proceeded
from small heap of sticks collected
upon the stone floor. Crouching over
it, and extending 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 this small comfort in the hope that
it might escape notice.
Pulling off his boots, Barclay crept
up behind her, and before she was
aware of his presence, seized her in his
strong grasp.
II knew you were no ghost" he
said, smiling; Though if you continue
this life much longer you will become
one"
She uttered faint cry of terror, and
sunk upon her knees.
''Spare me-" she sobbed. 81 am
only poor, homeless, friendless girl
who never wronged and 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. "Did not my fathers trusted
friend, the man who had sworn to be
my second father, seek my life?"
"Ah!' said Barclay, with start.
"My conjecture was true, then. He
decoyed you to the river, and, after be
lieving you safely out of the way, left
your cloak and hat upon the bank to
give the impression that you commit
ted suicide?"
EYES," she answered; "but the river
was more merciful than he, for it cast
me ashore alive. Sick with horror
and maGly afraid of the whole world, l
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
everyone away from me, and aided me
to get what little would keep me alive,
after nightfall And l have encour-
aged the superstition. Now you know
all. If you are that mans emissary,
may God forgive you and help me-"
81 am an emissary of mercy" re-
turned Barclay. Il am here to do JUS
tice on villain and to restore you to
your rights. Will you help me?'
She locked up at him.
"You have GOOD, kind face" she
said, offering him her hand. 81 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
us enter. When | turn the dark lantern
upon you arise and denounce him as
your murderer. We can safely leave
him to accuse himself"
81 will do as you WISH" she an
swered, brokenly. Chow can | thank
your"
"By following my directions" replied
Barclay, brusquely, to hide his own
emotion.
With few words more of advice he
left her. His next move was to go di-
rectly to the landlord of the inn. relate
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 thare tonight in order to set those
stories at rest"
Eastburn's jaw dropped, his face be-
came livid, and he was barely able to
reply in a quivering voice:
"Ghost absurdl Do you mean to
make fool of me? l 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 designating them, may culmi-
nate in charge of murder"
Something significant in his tone
- l..
submissive.
"Of course l will go out of politeness,
if you insist. We shall probably bag
church mouse. They are proverbially
so starved as to be incapable of flight. !"
No reply was made to this lame at
tempt at at humor, and in very I'M
comfortable frame of mind he went to
the church and was shown into pew
in the dark between them. After a
moment OF silence the low tones of the
organ sounded through the church, &C
companied by woman's voice
What is this ?" Cried Eastburn,
starting up. "Whese voice was that ~
"Be SILENT" said Barclay, sternly.
"Good reason have you to hear that
that voice with guilty horror"
At the same instant 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 me of her DEATH"
EYES," said the girl solemnly. "Ste-
phen Eastburn, you are my murderer"
81 confess it, shrieked the terror
maddened wretch; 81 ask no mercy
from man, for the grave has condemn
ed me. Take me away-hide me from
this awful sightl'
The light was turned out and the
girls figure disappeared. The horror
smitten Eastburn shrieking, mingling
prayers and curses, was taken to the
village'and imprisoned on .he double
charge of fraud and attempted murder.
In the course of time he was convicted
and punished.
On the same day that he was SEN
fenced, Barclay called upon Ada Nor
ton, now installed in her fathers house.
With her restoration to her rights, she
had recovered her health and beauty,
and it was with strange feeling Of
mingled hope and fear that the young
man took her hand, and said:
II have called to soy goodbye, Miss
Morton"
The bright smile faded from her face,
and look of pain came in its place
o~r. Il - .I ~ aead