Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-08-26
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INU. >.

saw You IN the churchyard night
before last; spoke TO you last night.
| am not an enemy, nor an idle curios-
lty-seeker. | earnestly want to aid
You. Will you not trust me?"
Keeping her eyes fixed upon hin,
| With the same distrustful look. she
answered in faint, far-off voice:
Your friendship or your enmity can
be nothing to me. The world You live
III, by It's wickedncsS and cruelty, drove
ME to my death. | am doomed 10 this
place until justice is done upon my
destroyer.
You are trying to mislead me-" ex-
claimed Barclay. You are no spirit,
but a poor, starving, homeless Girl.
You have suffered miSerably, and |
have resolved 10 restore YOU to
Your rights, as well as exact repara-
ton from the man who has wronged
you"
He advanced toward her rs he spoke
and stretched out his arms 10 seize her.
In an inStsnt she seemed uncertain how
to act, then even as his hand seemed to
pass bodily through her shape, she
melted into the shadows of the place.
This time he did not pursue her Her
mysterious escape, which seemed to
confirm her own words, began to inn
pross him with the belief that he had
indeed confronted visitant from the
other world.
Next morning, however, cool reflec-
ton taught him that he might easily
have deceived himself in his excite
ment. He therefore resolved all the
more obstlnately to pursue the inveSti-
CATION.
For three nights following he secret
ed himself i'll the church and awaited
her appearance, but his watch was
frultless. This caution on her part
fully convinced him that he was deal
ing with human being and not with
an impalpable phantom.
Meantime, Ill pursuance of the sus-
picion which the landlords story had
impaired to him, he found pretense
on which to make the acquaintance Of
stephen Eastburn. The man impress
ed him unfavorably at the first sight.
Tall and gannt of figure, with small,
restless gray eyes, and false smile, he
seemed to Barclay to be capable cs
any villainy. The young man was
careful to avoid mentioning the sup
posed ghost, and departed with an in
yitation to call again.
On the fourth night Barclay again Sc
creted himselfin the church. 1t was cold
for the season, and he shivered in his
hiding place, despite his warm cloth
ing. Hour af.er 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 see that it proceeded
from small heap of sticks collected
upon the stone floor. Crouching over
1t, and extending her thin fingers To
the flame. he beheld the figure of the
young girl. Evidently overcome with
the cold, she had ventured to indulge
in this small comfort in the hope that
it might escape notice
Pulling off his boots, Barclay crept
up behind her, and before she was
aware of his presence, seized her in his
strong grasp.
4 knew you were no ghost" he
said, smiling; though if you continue
this life much longer you will become
one"
She uttered faint cry OF terror, and
sunk upon her knees.
Spare me-" she sobbed 81 am
only poor, homeless, friendless girl
who never wronged and one. Why do
you pursue me?"
For your own good, my poor girl,
he said. kindly. "Why will you not
believe in my good Intentions"
tWhy should I?' she cried passion
ately. "Did not my fathers trusted
friend, the man who had sworn to be
my second father, seek my life?"
"Ahi" said Barclay, with start.
'tMy conjecture was true, then He
decoyed you to the river, and, after be-
lieving you safely out of the way, left
your cloak and hat upon the bank to
give the impression that you commit
ted suicide?"
Eyes, she answered; "but the river
was more merciful than he, for it cast
me ashore alive. Sick with horror
and madIy afraid Of the whole world /
came here where my father lay, to die
upon his grave. But it is hard for one
SO young to die. | have lived here
these three months, suffering, freezing,
dying. That | was taken for my own
ghost was fortunate for me, for it kept
everyone away from me, and aided me
to get what little would keep me alive,
after nightfall And | have encour-
aged the superstition. Now you know
all. If you are that mans emissary,
may God forgive you and help me"
sI am an emissary of mercy" re-
turned Barclay. II am here to do JUS
tice on a villain and to restore you to
your rights. Will you help me?"
She looked up at him.
"You have a good, kind face" she
said, offering him her hand. 81 will
trust you"
Then" said Barclay, keep up the
character you have assumed for one
more day. Tomorrow night ! shall
bring Eastburn here with witnesses. DO
you play on that organ when you hear
us enter. When | turn the dark lantern
upon you arise and denounce him as
your murderer. We can safely leave
him to accuse himself"
81 will do as you wish," she an
swered, brokenly. Glow can / thank
you"
by following my directions" replied
Barclay, brusquely, to hide his own
emotion.
With few words more of advice he
left her. His next move was to 90 di-
rectly to the landlord of the inn, relate
the whole story, and secure his sup
port.
At 10 o'clock on the next night, in
company with the landlord, he called
upon Stephen Eastburn. Cutting short
his smooth salutation, Barclay said:
"Mr. Eastburn, the obscure manner
of your wards death has given rise to
strange rumors in the village Her
spirit is said to wander in the old
church We desire you to accompany
us thare tonight in order to set those
stories at rest"
Eastburn's jaw dropped, his face be-
came livid, and he was barely able to
reply in quivering voice:
'4Ghostl absurd Do you mean to
make a fool of me? / viii not go to the
church at this hour of the night"
"Allow me to observe" said Barclay,
sternly, "that the rumors, unless you
aid in dissipatng them, may culmi-
nate in a charge of murder"
Something significant ID his tone
seemed to render Eastburn suddenly
submissive.
ft0f course viii go out of politeness,
# you insist. We shall probably bag a