The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-11-29

TlOslIY moreover Tue young girl Sdu
face snd besteching glance in the church
yard had made a strange impression
upon him. Something in her imprcha-
bic history had led him to form vague
suspicion of a truth nearly as improha-
bic Eagerly accepting the possible
chance of an exciting experience, he de-
termined to sift the matter to the bot
tom H
Without dropping hint as to his in
tentions he left the inn the next morning,
shortly after IL O'Clock, and proceeded
to the old church The place was silent
and deserted; not even a stray dog was
to be seen wandering about the church,
yard. An ineffahle dreary air hung about
the place, depressing his spirits and sl-
most resolving him to abandon bis oh
jsct. But sentiment Of pride urged
hun on, and he cautiously made his way
into the church and sat down in one part
Of the pews.
For more than an hour nothing oc-
Cured to attract his attention. He be.
came drovsy and was on The point oi
falling asleep where he sal, when low
weird peal from the organ moaned
through The church. h sat erect and
listened with suspended breath. The
sound rose higher and clearer, and pres
eotly the sweet but mournful tones Of a
woman's voice joined it He could make
out the words OF prayer for the wrelc :.
ed
After moment the music ceased, and
be could near The singer sobhIng in a
low, hesr-hroken wav, that brought
tears to hs eyes. He straiLed his eyes
through the darkness, but could make
out nothing. Arising, he called out:
Whoever you are, you are in sorrow
and a!niction. cannot see you. will
not pursue yon. All | desire ia to be
Your friend. Will YOU answer me ?"
There vas no reply an the weeping
su idenly ceased. After a moment OF
hesitation be made his way to the organ.
lott and struck match. No one was
Wis BILE, nor was there the smallest trace
OF the presence OF anv living beng.
Con .iderahly startled he left the church,
determ;nad 10 repeat his experience on
the 'ol'o wing night
Pfov ding himself with dark lantern,
be went to the church on the next night
and secreted himself near the organ. A.
before. /. was nearly midnight before he
became conscious of the presence OF an,
other person In the building. On this
occasion the organ was not played. bu'
there was sight rustic Of a wonan's
dress, and presently he heard the same
low, bitter weeping
Quickly arising he shot the rays Of the
lantern in the direction whence the
sounds proceeded. Not more than three
yards from him, in the broad glare of
light. he beheld the girl whom he hal
met in the churchvard She was look
ing a. him with an expression of intense
terror in her white face and iear-wet
eyes As she stood covering before
him she reminded him OF some inooceut
animal crouching at the hunters feet
With an accent of deep pity he address
ell her:
81 saw vou in the churchyard night
before last; / spoke to you last night. /
am not an enemy nor an idle curiosity
seeker. ] earnestly want to aid you
Will you not trust me?"
Keeping her eyes fixed upon him with
the same strustful look she answered
in faint, far-off voice:
"Your friendship or your enmity can
be nothing to me. The world you live
in, by it's wickedness and cruelty, drove
me to nv death, / am doomed to this
place ontA justice is done upor my de-
strorer."
"You are trying to mislead me-" ex-
claimed Barclay. you are no spirit,
but q poor, starving, homeless young
girl. You have suffered miserably, and
/ have resolved to restore you to your
rights, as we'll as exact reparation from
the man who has wron2ed yoa."
He advanced toward her as he spoke
and stretched out his arms 10 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 Of 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
ironted visitant from the other world.
Next morning. however, cool redec-
ton taught him that he might easily have
deceived himself i.i his excitement. He
therefore resolved all the more ohsti-
nately to pursue his investigation
For three nights folio wing he secreted
himself in the church ami awaited her
appearance. but his watch was truitless.
The caution on her part fully convinced
him that he was dealing with a human
being, and not with an impslpable 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 Sam
uel E E,siham. The man impressed him
unfavorahly at the first sight Tall and
gaunt OF figure, with small, restless gray
eyes ami false smile, he seemed to Bar
clay be capable of anv vilIsiny Tue
young man was careful to avoid men
tioning 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 AMI he shive red in
his hiding-place, despite his warm cloth
ing. Hour after hour passed away and
he was beginning to fear that his errand
would again prove fruitless when faint
light in the BODY of the church caught
his eye As it rose higher he could per-
ceive that it proceeded from small heap
of sticks collected upon the stone q ,or.
Crouching over it, and extending her
thin fingers to the fame, he beheli the
figure of young girl Evidently over
come with the cold she had ventured to
indulge in this small ca Mort in the hope
thai it might escape notice.
Pulling of his shoes Barclay c'ept up
hehind her and. before she was aware OF
his presence, seized her with his strong
grasp.
81 know YOU are no ghost" he said,
smiling; "though il you continue this
I;ro unnoh l0nnar uo,, mill haonnoo ono >;