Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-01-24

81 have so little self-control, am
better alone" he explains, sadly; and
Miss Goodwin joins the dancers, uncon-
scious of the wistful, passionate eyes fol-
lowing her every movement. Landsmeres
teeth shut tight together as he watches
Monroe whirl her off in the dance. He
turns his back upon the Rayety, and
loses himself in bitter speculation on the
future.
81 heard wager concerning you, to-
night whispers Monroe, as he guides
Miss Goodwin across the ballroom.
"Who dared - questions the girl,
hotly.
THAT | cat tell" with a soft smile ;
"but you shall hear the wager pausing
to look into her face.
"Well:' falling into step and moving
slowly onward.
1.-The haunted house ~
Miss Goodwin understands; frees her
self with a quick impatient movement,
and answers with some contempt: Your
friends underate my power; Mr.. Lands.
mere would do more than visit haunted
houses at my asking"
"Yes." incredulously.
"Ay. yes, as | shall prove
"Will you test your power now
Miss Goodwin sssents. She is too
proud to ask permission to make the re-
quest unwi,nessed. so she places her
hand on that of her escorts and
allows him to lead her to Clifford Lands
mere.
Landsmere starts, hushes ho,ly. and
looks to Miss Goodwin for explanation,
but the explanation is not forthcoming !;
for the FIRST time in her life Miss Good
win is ashamed to look her lover in the
face.
Still gazing at the haunted hause :"
asks Monroe. aippan,ly. why not
give the inhabitants call: You might
find them rather disagreeable, but one
shouldn't stop at triaes.'
The fiery blood OF his ancestors tineles
through Landsmere's veins. He feels
rather than sees the hand laid on his arm.
Its light touch thrills him, and he answers
with a quietness that surprises no one
more than himself. There are enough
dissgreeble people in the flesh. Monroe,
without seeking them in the spirit.
Monroe forces laugh and moves back
step. His brute strength quails before
the look in Landsmere's eyes.
Clifford" intercedes Miss Goodwin.
Twill you visi, the haunted house for
me -
Landsmere recoils. and his brilliant
eye. res; full upon Miss Goodwin With
an incredulous, horrifed expression. His
half belief in ghosts is 4 well known fact,
and i, ever humored and treated with a
gentle courtesy. for every one knows OF
the terrible fright he received in child
hood that brought him to deaths door,
and planted the seeds Of that superstition
he has never entirely ou,grown.
May Goodwin's eyes fall before her
lovers gaze. and she stands abashed.
1--WE might have spared ourselves the
trouble" sneers Monroe.
Miss Goodwin's eyes flash. She will
prove her power or break with Clifford
Landsmere forever. Monroe shall no,
taun. her with impunity. She will turn
the laugh on him, or break her engage
ment-one Of the two.
Clifford" coming very close, and
speaking very softly, ''do this for me
and will marry you before the next full
moon"
Monroe, failing to catch the words,
wonders what this girl has said to illum-
mate Landsmere's face so strangely.
II will co. answers Clifford Lands
mere, simply.
Miss Goodwin accompanies her lover
down the wide stone steps, while Mon.
roe, with an evil eye, drops softly from
window, and speeds across the lawn.
"Cliford. dear, don't look so white,
hegs Miss Goodwin. conscience stricken,
though still determined to prove her
power. There are no such things as
ghosts in all the world"
Your not believing in them, little
one, makes them none the less real. lie
shudders slightly and draws his hand
across his eyes.
The girl clings to him, 10th to let him
20. He kisses her tenderly, and then he
leaves her. Hurry back" she calls.
laughingly: bu, he makes no answers,
only plods steadily on along the path that
leads to the haunted house.
Miss Go-d~in shades her eyes with
her hand, and watches him smilingly out
Of sight.
Miss Goodwin !" cries sharp. start
led voice at her elbow. She turns slow
lily, still smiling. and faces Mr.. Lente with
all her dimples in full play.
"Call him back, Miss Goodwin. The
house is filled with band Of desperadoes.
They would shoot him As they wonld
a dog. The police made raid on the
place tonight. Call him back before it
i, too late
"Cliford Clifford !" Wild and clear
through the darkness rings the terror
stricken voice.
Hush interposed young Lente. gen
,ly, touched by the silent misery OF her
face. Come with me. We will save
him yet"
She lays her hand in mis- without
word, and without q word he leads her
with swift half running steps, down the
long broad avenue underneath the arching