Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-06-13

was visible, nor was there the smallest
trace of the recent presence Of any liv-
ing being. Considerably startled, he
left the church, determined to repeat his
experiment the following night.
Providing himself with dark lantern,
he went to the church on the following
night, and secreted himself near the or
gan. AS before, it was nearly midnight
before he became conscious of the pres
ence of another person in the building.
On this occasion the organ was not play
ed, but there was slight rustic of
woman's dress, and presently he heard
the same low, bitter weeping.
quickly arising. he shot the rays of
the dark lantern in the direction from
which the sound proceeded. Not more
than three yards from him. in the broad
glare of the light, he beheld the girl
whom he had met in the churchyard.
She was looking at him with an express
ion of intense terror in her face and tear
wet eyes. AS she stood covering before
him she reminded him of some innocent
animal couching at the feet of the hunt
err. With an accent of deep pity, he ad-
dressed her:
81 saw you i'm the churchyard night
before last; l spoke to you last night.
am not an enemy. nor an idle curiosi-
! ty seeker. | earnestly want to aid you.
Will you not trust me %
Keeping her eyes fixed on him with
the same distrustful look, she answered
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 de-
stroyer." ~
"You are trying to mislead me-" ex-
claimed Barclay. You are no spirit, but
a poor. starving, homeless girl. You
have suffered miserably, and l have re-
solved to restore you to your rights, as
we'll as to exact reparation from the man
who has wronged you."
He advanced toward her as he spoke,
and stretched out his arms to seize her.
For an Instant she seemed uncertain how
to act, then, even as his hand seemed to
pass bodily through her shape, she melt
ed into the shadows oil the place. This
time he did not pursue her. Her mys-
terious escape, which seemed to confirm
her own words, began to impress him
with the belief that he had indeed con-
fronted visitant from the other world.
Next morning, however, cool reflection
taught him that he might easily have
deceived himself in his excitement. He
therefore resolved all the more obstinate
ly to pursue his investigation.
For three nights following he secreted
himself in the church and awaited her
appearance, but his watch was fruitless.
This caution on her part fully convinced
him that he was dealing with human
being, and not with an impalpable phan-
tom.
Meantime, in pursuance of the suspi-
cion which the landlords story had i'm
parted to him, he found pretense on
which to make the acquaintance of Ste
phen Eastburn. The man impressed him
unfavorably at first sight. Tall and
gaunt of figure, with small, restless gray
eyes and false smile. he seemed to Bar.
clay to be capable of any villany. The
! young man was careful to avoid mention
ing the supposed ghost, and departed
; with an invitation to call again.
On the fourth night Barclay again Sc
creted himself in the church. 1t was
cold for the season, and he shivered ir
, his hiding place, despite his warm cloth
ing.
: Hour after hour passed away, and hi
, was just beginning to think that his er
: rand would prove fruitless, when fain
q light in the body of the church caugh
0 his eye. AS it rose higher, he could Sc,
that it proceeded from small heap o.
: sticks collected upon the stone floor
t Crouching over it, and extending he
/ thin fingers to the fame, he beheld tn,
e figure of a young girl. Evidently over
y come with the cold, she had ventured t
e indulge in this comfort in the hope tha
r it might escape notice.
: Pulling off his shoes, Barclay crept u
q behind her, and before she was aware o
e his presence. siezed her in his stroni
e grasp.
n 81 knew you we're no ghost" said he
smiling; '.though if you continue thi
: life much longer you will become one. :"
e She uttered a faint cry of terror an
G sank upon her knees.
d ..Spare me-" she sobbed. 81 am onl
h poor, homeless, fricndless girl, VIII
d never wronged anyone. Why do 20
20 | nnrsne me- 9''
e ''For your own good. my poor girl,
s he answered, kindly. "Why will 20
e not believe in my good intentions ?"
.'Why should l." she cried, passion
d ately. "Did not my fathers truste
n friand tho man who had sworn tn he