The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-04-13
A FOOLISH ADVENTURE.

there for?n said Miss Pytchley.
Miss Pytchley had been sauntering
along the road in an absorbed manner,
picking late blackberry here, bril-
liant autumn flower there. She was
student of Nature, she was wont to say.
But those who were inimically disposed
10 her did not hesitate to affirm that she
always studied Nature in front of young
DIR. Hilton's house!
But what did the silly little coquettes
Of eighteen and the giggling beauties of
twenty know of Miss Pytchley's deter
mined and ardent nature? What rocked
they of the trials she had gone through,
disappointments that had in every in
stance blighted her hopesp
For Mt nine-and-thirty Miss Pytchley
was still determined to secure hus-
band-and DIR. Hilton was the man up
ON whom she had settled.
II always wanted to be doctors
wife, said this young thing to herself,
for Henrietta Pytchley knew better than
to select any less judicious confidante.
s'It gives one such good social posi-
tion-and then, in sickness, it saves one
so much expense and trouble. To be
sure DR.. Hilton is few years younger
than am" Che was twenty-six), "but
every one knows that doctor ages
rapidly. and no one would dream that 1
was day older than thirtyr'
But DR.. Hilton evidently had no idea
of being shared by hermature wiles, and
when Miss Vernon, the pale-cheeked
young teacher in the academy, became
u patient of his, Miss Pytchley was seri
ously alarmed.
''Not that she's anything more than
an insipid wax doll" said Miss Pytch-
ley with toss of her head: ''but she
has way with her which men might
fancy, if they didn't know any better,
poor things" ea
Vernon going into the doctors office,
she was naturally little surprised and
perturbed.
DIR. Hilton lived all by himself in the
little stone cottage, taking his meals ut
the village hotel some half mile
distant, and Miss Pytchley felt herself
safe in creeping round to the back of the
house, where overgrown rose-thickets
and struggling raspberry formed
sort of natural screen.
IF l could only hear what they say"
thought Miss Pytchley
Her first idea had been to conceal
herself under the window, but when she
saw the cellar door standing wide-open,
fortunate inspiration flashed across her
brain.
'.It's right under the Office she
thought IF L put my ear against the
chimney, | can hear everything they
say"
And like gliding grey shadow she
hurried into the cellar.
A dreary, deserted place. There was
some lumber there, a few disused tools,
general smell of green mould, and a
closet in the corner. Miss Pytchley
shivered little as she crept close to the
chimney.
They're only talking about some
Dover's powders, after all, said she.
..And a capcine plaster, and quinine
three times q day. And now he's tell
ing her good-evening. l might have
saved myself the trouble"
At that moment, however, q sturdy
footstep was heard coming along-the
sound of whistle-and Miss Pytchley
caught sight of John Nolan, the hired
man, who drove DIR. Hilton's carriage,
groomed his horse, and made himself
generally useful about the place.
'He's coming here to pile up wood"
thought Miss Pytchley, as she saw the
logs of birch and pine heaped upon his
arm. Good gracious! what's to be-
come of mep''
II was too late to beat retreat by the
usual entrance-Miss Pytchley darted
into the closet and closed the door
"He can't be long," thought she, "be-
cause it's almost dark now"
Miss Pytchley was right. He was not
long. But when he went out, to her in
finite dismay he shut the cellar-door be-
hind him. and locked and padlocked it.
Now / am in q dilemma" thought
Miss Pytchley, with the cold sweat
her brow; perhaps he'll come back
again"
She listened, but no returning foot
step sounded over the gravelled wilder
ness of the overgrown back-garden; she
cept around the darkness of the cellar,
Keeling along the walls for some possible
method of exit, but in vain.
"What am to doP" broke involun-
tarily from her lips; "if should be kept
imprisoned here all night"
And then rushed into her mind all she
had ever heard of the Stone Cottage
how an old woman was once strangled
there by her undutifnl children for the
sake Of little money; how the Widow
Swipes' boys had declared that ghost
used to peep out Of the windows, of
moonlight nights, before DIR. Hilton
rented the placc-and Miss Pytchley
was uneasier than ever.
"Here am in the closet again." she
thought with start, as her hands came
in contact with the moisture that trick
led down the damp walls; "oh dear, oh,
dear; don't know which way to turn,
I'm all confused. Owl owl"
She uttered frantic shrek, for In
the darkness she had stumbled up
against tall oblong box that stood In
one corner; the lid, insufficiently fasten-
ed, fell forward against her, andfeeling
WILDLY for aouno ooanino If aacaue her