The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-22
GHOST OF GLOOMY HOLLOW,

auouS oHo liocS! perceive IL qulIe
plainly. Can you not do so ~
mo, Miss Merritt. I am sure 1 cannot
see it,"
1T is thereof, it has vanished now"
The moon, full and silvery, burst from
behind heavy bank of white clouds at
this juncture, and shed a mellow glow
over the tall, dark trees and bushes, near
which BARLEY Dewhurst stood with
Adele Merritt leaning on his arm. About
two hundred yards from where they
were stood the old farmhouse at which
both were boarders for the summer.
Most of the guests had retired for the
night, as was evident from the row of
lights cleaning from the bedroom win
dows, and the sombre darkness of the
lower portion of the house. The young
man and his companion having heard
the tradition of Gloomy Hollow being
the scene of horrid murder years be-
fore, and of its being haunted by the
wrath of the murdered woman, resolved
to give the place a nocturnal visit, to
learn the truth of the rumor concerning
the ghost. Both were from New York,
Miss Merritt having as companion her
intimate friend, Eva Goulding. BARLEY
Dewhurst had known both girls in the
city, and fell in love with Eva without
knowing it. He was rich, handsome,
and favorite among the ladies.
It may be we'll to say here that Adele
Merritt was in love with him, and fondly
imagined he called to see her. when Eva
was receiving with her on Wednesday
evenings sat hone," when in truth he
simply called to meet Eva. He was
ignorant Of the fact that he loved her;
and while he was in this queer state of
emotion Miss Adele set her cap for him,
with all the fascinating energy beauti-
full blonde Of nineteen, we'll versed in
coquetry, is capable of.
II was surprise to all when they first
met at the breakfast table of their
hostess, Mrs. Sudds. Of course all
averred, mischievously, that they were
ignorant of the fact that they all meant
TO rusticate in the same boarding house
in West Chester county. Eva blushed
prettily-Adele looked supremacy happy.
For reasons best known to herself,
Adele did not tell Eva of the projected
ghost hunt. Possibly it was because, by
going alone with Dewhurst, she would
have him all to herself.
The village town clock struck twelve
dismal strokes as they turned away from
Gloomy Hollow to return home. A rust
ling in the bushes cause her to turn her
head and glance back over her shoulder.
She stood still moment, then threw
herself in his arms, crying:
"Oh, there it is again! BARLEY save
mer
What is it-what is tie matter 2" lie
asked.
1.-The ghost of Gloomy Hollow" she
replied in alright.
He looked back, and chill of horror
traversed his system. A tall figure
draped in snowy white was moving
among the trees, moaning piteously.
There was dim phosphorescent mist
surrounding the apparition which gave
1t every al pearance of a spirit of another
sphere; and when moving it made no
noise, but seemed to glide over the ground
as if waited on by the gentle breezes that
soughed among the rustling branches of
the trees. In back of it, space was en-
veloped in deep, impenetrable darkness
which showed off the shadowy figure in
holder relief.
They stood looking at it few minutes
IA oA4ChCc, oAC ClAukluS " Lin wA'A
perhaps more tenacity than was strictly
essential to her salvation from the OBJ
ject of her fright-his arm around her
waist.
This is all nonsense" he exclaimed
presently. "That thing is no ghost
there are no such things. Will you wait
here a moment, Miss Merritt, and l will
see what it is composed of? You need
hot fear"
No no." she cried agbast "You must
not 60 and endanger yourself-you must
not go, really
SIS it that you are afraid to remain?''
he asked.
NO not that, but fear for you. Oh,
BARLEY, please stay, and We will return
home together"
Then as you are not afraid to stay"
be said, 81 am going after it." And be-
fore she could raise any further objec-
ton, he hurried from her side toward
the white object.
She watched him breathlessly, and saw
the ghost glide off among the trees with
BARLEY in close pursuit. A few min
utes passed by, and presently he re-
turned, great beads of perspiration on
his forehead, and his face snowy white.
Il almost reached its side" he said
explanatory, ''and reached ont to
seize it when it suddenly disappeared.
II seemed To fade into the air and float