The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1881-03-25

We drove through . straight line III
trees up 20 the front door. and sent In
my card BY the old man-seryant. who
looked as ancient as the house.
IN few minutes ! was ushered into
q large sitting-room. and received the
most cordial ~ welcomes from both
Monsieur and Madame Dumas and their
daughters. But what Of my old friend
Henri? ] scarcely dared % say his
name. for ! saw tears falling from his
mothers eyes. and they were all in deep
mourning.
Alas! L was soon explained. Henri
had met with an accident about six
months before. "A considerable part of
the house was being rebuilt. and he
had mounted on high scailolding 10
speak TO workman. His foot slipped.
and he fell 70 the ground, and was
taken up senseless. The head was 50
injured that recovery was hopeless lie
fingered week and then died. without
having recovered consciousness.
! need not say how this news grieyed
me, and how truly ! sympathized with
the Borrowing parents and sisters.
Feelings Of delicacy made me propose
70 leave very soon, but they insisted on
my remaining At least that night
I'VE have but poor accommodations
TO offer YOU" said NJ Dumas. s'for the
greater part Of the house Is uninhabitable
at present. and we are driven into
few rooms in the east wing: but II
you will take rs rs we are, we shall
prize your company for the sake Of our
poor Henri. who often spoke Of you.
and Of the kindness shown him by your
parents"
So the carriage was dismissed. and !
became the guest Of Monsieur and
Madame Dumas. though with heart
80 sad that nothing but the fear Of
wounding their feelings could have in
duccd me to remain.
And now" said NJ. Dumas. ~ must
tell you that have only the choice Of
two sleeping-rooms to offer you. neither
Of which will. / fear, be comfortable.
for different reasons. One is that which
belonged to our Henri. and in which he
died; the other is very small attic.
scarcely III for visitor: yet, unwilling
IS am TO propose putting you here.
you may perhaps prefer il TO the other.
when | tell you that ever since Henrfs
death il has been reputed to be haunt
ed. Strange noises are heard there
night after night. There Is no denying
this fact, for I have heard them myself
from outside the door,"
And has no one slopt thereP" l
asked.
mo one has courage to do So" re-
piled n. Dumas. I'm this part Of the
country the people are easily alarmed
At such things; indeed. two Of my do
mestics have left me in consequence Of
what have mentioned"
III you have no objection 70 my
occupying poor Henri's room. would
rather have il than any other" re-
piled. The fact was, my curiosity.
though not my fear. was aroused; the
more 30 that could not but see that
my host was himself convinced that the
room was haunted By his sons spirit.
and however dear he had been 10 him
IN life, he had no desire 70 continue any
intercourse Of this nature.
II will order il 70 be prepared then.
he said; ~ see you are q man Of stout
nerves."
~ am not in the least afraid" re-
piled. land shall like to sleep where
Henri did. We were Just like brothers
nj school. and he so often spoke 10 me
Of his home that feel almost as If
were no stranger here"
NV host took me into the grounds.
During our walk Henri's old favorite
spaniel, Fanchette. came up. remem-
bered her directly. and she appeared 10
recognize me in q manner. for she smelt
my coat, and ended by licking my
hands.
Poor Fanchette!' said M. Dumas.
1.-THE blow Of my sons death fell heavi-
" on her; she has never been the same
dog since he was carried to the grave.
She was. as you know. his constant
companion, and now she roams about
caring for no one. and unable TO rest
anywhere for long together. She will
not come into the house rs formerly; it
has no attraction for her now her mas
ter Is gone. She prefers the stables,
where she has attached herself to
Hcnris horse, by whose side she sleeps
1t night; for her howls were 50 distress
ing after we were All gone 70 bed. that
she had TO be sent every evening out 81
nearing.
tried TO coax the affectionate crca-
ture To follow Us in our stroll. but she
would not come. and walked OF in
another direction. with q languid. droop-
ing air very unlike the buoyant, frisky
Fanchette Of former days.
NJ. Dumas pointed out 70 me various
he was making. cspe-
cially in the house. where they were
adding several rooms; but he remarked
that he had comparatively little interest
In what was being done. now that he
had no son to inherit the property.
which was cntailed on male heirs. and
would therefore 20 70 a nephew Of
whom he had hitherto known but little.
When ! was shown TO my room l
looked round me with very saddenod
feelings. for there were 50 many things
70 remind me OF Henri--his caps; the
picture 81 our school-house. where we
had spent many happy days together;
anil ssrhn4 xs<.. fxx<~ xkf,x<~ - -. ~ III.