Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-11-25

I'D just like to see the ghost that
would dare to stop me- eaid Wm.
Browning, by way ot keeping mp the
spirits OF lis compsnions. I'D pretty
soon show him his mistake. For nv
part, l don't believe in such things.
They're only tales got up to frighten
children. Young fellows like us needn't
mind them"
Perhaps you'd better not say that, -
replied Ned cautiously, "iust as we're
going into the place where they say
there's one. 1t might be as we'll for
you to speak more civil"
"Oh! 80 you're afraid, are you?"
cried William, soornfully. You d
better so along home to your nanny,
and tell her you're frightened. Jack
and can go on we'll enough by our.
selves"
Jack made no reply. but Ned, not
liking to be laughed at. said:
go ahead; don't talk nonsense.
I'm coming"
On they went. bravely enough, but
soou their way became darker ard more
intricate. The wind Lowled and
noaned through the black forest; bare,
leafiess frees tossed their long arms to
and fro as they stood up in weird relief
against the sky, while every Low and
then the moon shone out titfuily, re-
vealing strange and srotesque shapes
OF huge bowlders, scattered here and
there along their path, like the forms
of huge black specters.
~ don't half like this" nurmured
Harding. 81 wish We hadn't come" "
eyes, that do" whispered FEM
ing. in reply; "if we'd not come SO
far, I'd just turn back and catch up
with tho other fellows"
VIM. Browning was walking on ahead,
unconscious Of the faint heartedness CT
his followers, though if the truth was
told, he felt anxiety as to the possible
consequences of his undertaking.
Still. whatever ne might feel, it would
never do to give in now.
The others, who called to mind the
stories they had heard of the terrors Ct
Dad Mans Way, became more and
more nervous aud followed their leader,
ready to turn and run tho moment any
thing startling occurred.
For many years this path had re-
mained untrodden by night by the
villagers. Tho men soon came to
where the read ran between ledges OF
each side. They lad heard of this
spot, and that there were caves in the
lodges from which, at any moment.
something might appear.
81 shouldn't much like to be shut
up N one of them caves, said Fleming,
in low voice, to his companion; !;
"there wouldn't be much chance of
comm ont alive again."
"Dont you 60 ON talking like par
rot" said Browning. angrily. lyon
act like coward"
Ga they went iu silence. The moon
was hidden behind the clouds. ard just
then a loud sigh, close at hand, Was
heard by the little company.
What's thata" they exclaimed, to-
gether.
No answer came.
Lets turn back" whispered Hard
ing. 81 feel my flesh creep"
Living man has no business to
mcddle with the dead" said Fleming,
solemnly, who seemed to be the most
superstitious man of the company,
land We oughtn't to have cGme."
"We've not much further to 60"
said Browning, though in an unsteady
voice.
They had not gone many steps before
a groan, loud AMI prolonged, was heard.
For heavens sake. let's run for our
lives" cried Fleming" there's not a
moment to be lost"
Another sigh, this time closer than
before.
They looked round anxiously, but
the darkness prevented them from see-
ing anything. Suddenly, however. a
faint ray Of moonlight stole forth ana
disclosed, few steps further on, a
huge shape. apparently seated on one
side of the path.
Whether it was human being, or a
ghostly form, they could not tell, but
there it was. and if they kept on they
must pass it.
Every man Of them stopped. Brown
ing was the first to exercise presence of
mind, and summoning up his courage,
he boldly advanced towards it. There
was q movement. shrill, prolonged
cry, and portion Of tho shape seemed
to move, and then heavy object was
hurled at his head.
With cry of terror, the three men
turned and fed, without giving look
behind. Their fight was marked by
their tools. which lay scattered on the
ground.
After they had gone, q human figure
stepped out upon the path. There was
a muttering, low. vacant laugh, and
all was still.
The next morning many were the
surmises among the pavvies as to the
fate of their companions. Several
went to inquire for them. on their way
to work. but found they had already
started.
Then they got back all right 2"
asked one Of the men in a tone of sur
prise.
A.