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

solve entered his mind. IT will find out
what that thing is tonight at all hazard.
See herew
He drew pistol from his pocket and
showed it to her.
eff it is supernatural" he said in q
low tone, "a bullet from this cannot hurt
it,"
She gazed at the weapon moment
hesitatingly; then her face grew pale,
and fierce CLEAN shone luridly in her
beautiful eyes.
YES" she said firmly, "you are right.
Shoot, and if it is lnvulnerable, will
believe in ghosts hereafter"
He was surprised at the unnatural tone
of her voice, but making no comment, he
left her side and noiselessly approached
the white figure. When in easy range of
it he leveled the pistol and fired. There
came low wail-the noise as of some
thing falling in the bushes-and hurry
ing toward the spot the noise came from
he found the figure lying PROSTATE on the
ground. STOPPING, he saw that it was q
female in her night attire, and from her
bosom tiny stream of blood flowing,
dyeing the white linen crimson. He lifted
the almost lifeless form in his arms, and
the moonbeams falling on her face dis
closed the pale white features of Eva
Goulding.
A deep groan burst from his lips.
ooh, heavens! What have done?" he
cried.
"It is Eva!' interjected the voice of
Edele as she leaned over his shoulder.
"Oh, Mr.. Dawhurst, is she dead?"
He placed his hand over her heart, and
feltn faint throbbing.
"No," he replied. "She is alive. We
must carry her home"
A look of disappointment crossed
Adeles face, but an instant later 1t
cleared away. Lifting the still form in
his arms, he carried her to the farmhouse,
and the inmates having been aroused til
Situation was explained. and O physician
was sent for. He arrived in due course,
and was made acquainted with the facts
of the case. An examination of the
wound showed it to be nothing serious,
and after properly attending to it, and
restoring his patient to consciousness, the
doctor said:
at is evident that Miss Goulding is a
subject to somnambulistic fits, and when
in one of these states left the house and
wandered about the Hollow. A lighted
candle probably produced the phosphor-
escent halo around her which you OBJ
served, Mr.. Dewhurst."
eva, said BARLEY to the listening girl,
sis this the cause?"
1T is, Barley" she replied family, as
he leaned over her, land it was because
of my possessing this horrid malady that
I refused yOur offer"
"And did Adele know how you were
Affected" he asked sternly.
Eyes" she answered. THAT was the
secret communicated to her when she
told me of seeing the ghost of Gloomy
Hollow, for, knowing my affection, I
surmised that was the ghost you saw"
He turned and gazed reproachfully at
Adele, for he now understood why she
urged him to fire at the spectre, when she
knew who it was. She loved him, and
having overheard his confession of love to
Eva, had maliciously thought her death
would thwart marriage she felt 80
opposed to. Jealousy is fierce passion!
The next day Adele returned to the
city and they never saw her again.
When Eva finally recovered BARLEY
renewed his wooing, and with such good
result that he won her for his bride.
And the shot had not only given him q
lovely wife, but also cured her Of
somnambulism.