The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-01-26

wandering about the church yard
An inefiable dreary air hung about
the place, depressing his spirits and
almost resolving him to abandon
his object. But sentiment ofpride
urged him on, and he cautiously
made his way into the church and
sat down in one ofthe pews.
For more than an hour nothing
occurred to attract his attention. He
became drowsy, and was on the
point of falling asleep where he sat,
when a low weird peal from the old
organ moaned through the church.
He sat erect and listened with sus-
| pended breath. The sound rose
higher and clearer, and presently
the sweet but mournful tones of q
woman's voice Joined it. He could
make out the words of q prayer for
the wretched.
After a moment the music ceased,
he could hear the singer sobbing in
low, heart-broken way, that brought
tears to his eyes. He strained his
eyes through the darkness, but could
make out nothing. Arising, he call
ed out:
Whoever you are, you are in
sorrow and affiiction. l cannot see
you. | will not pursue you. All [
desire is to be your friend. VIII
you answer me?'
There was no reply, and the weep
ing suddenly ceased. After mo-
ment of hesitation he made his
way to the organ loft ana struck
match. No one was visible, nor
was there the smallest trace of the
recent presence Of any living being.
Considerably startled, he left the
church, determined to repeat his ex-
eerience on the following night.
Providing himself with a dark
lantern he wentto the church on the
next night, and secreted himself
near the organ. As before it was
nearly midnight before he became
conscious of the presence of another
person in the building. On this oc-
easion the organ was not played but
there was q rustic as of Il woman :
dress, and presently he heard the
same low bitter weeping
Quickly arising he shot the rays Of
the lantern in the direction whence
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 expression of intense
terror in her white face and tear wet
eyes. As she stood covering before
him she reminded him Of some in
nocent animal croucbing at the
hunters feet. With an accent of
deep pity he addressed her:
u saw you in the churchyard
night before last, spoke to YOU last
night. / am not an enemy, nor an
idle curiosity seeker. ! earnestly
want to help you. viii you not
trust me?"
Keeping her eyes fixed upon hIm
with the same distrusttul look, she
answered in faint, far-on 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 my death. !
am doomed to this place until JUS
tice is done upon my destroyer.
"You are trying to mislead me,
exclaimed Barclay. you are no
spirit, but a poor, starving, home
less Young girl. You have suffered
miserably and / have resolved to re-
store YOU TO your rights, as well as
exact reparation from the man who
has wronged you.
He advanced toward her as he
spoke and stretched ont his arm to
seize her. For an instant she seemed
how to act, then even as
his hand seemed to pass boldly
through her shape, she melted into
the shadow of the place. This time
he did not pursue her. Her mystic
rious escape, which seemed to con
firm her own words, began to i'm
press him with the belief that he
had indeed confronted n yls-tant
from the other world.
Next morning, however, cool re-
Election taught him that he might
easily have deceived himself in the
excitement. He therefore resolved
all the more obstinately to pursue
the investigation.
For three nights following he sc.
creted himself in the church and F..
awaited her appearance, but his
watch was fruitless. This caution
on her part fully convinced hlm
that he was dealing with a human
being and not an impalllble phan-
tom.
Meanwhile in pursuance Of the
suspicion which the landlords sto-
~ had impaired to him, he found q
oretence on which to make the ac-
luaintance of Stephen EastbGrn.
The man impressed him untavora-
DIV at the first sight Tall and /
,aunt of figure, with small, restless
yrav eyes and false smile, he seem !
I'd to Barclay to be capable of any /
,illainy. The young man was care /
'ul to avoid mentioning the suppos-
ID ghost, and departed with an in
,itation TO call again.
On the fourth night Barclay again (
,ecreted himself in the church It /
vas cold for the season, and he shiv- !
cred in his hiding place despite /
nis warm clothing. Hour after hour /
passed away, and he was beginning
o fear that his errand would again /
prove fruitless. when a faint light in /
he body of the church caught his 7
we. As it rose higher, he could /
zee that it proceeded from a small !
leap of stick collected upon the /
,tone floor. Crouching over it, he /
1eheld the figure Of the young girl /
Evidently overcome with the cold, /
,he had ventured TO indulge in this I
,mall comfort in the hope that 1t .
night escape notice.
Pulling off his shoes. Barclay .
,rept up behind her, and before she
vas aware of his presence, seized her
n his strong grasp.