The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-18
~ zze Arkensew zrsvskey.
 A TALE OF LuLOMA.
n MADDEN.

the Rn2rfeo oak anu SEoaf ucczs tts white cclamns gleaming in the moon- light. Dusky clouds drifting soathward, nov and then obscured it, making the light through the windo~s look like eyes of some waste demon. The autumn hreeze, comiag over the fields of sedge and ssubhle, rustled uncannily, and as il whipped through the vines that clung to the corners of the half rotted fences, vhissied sort of ghost tune and made one think that the spirits of those who had lived and loved amid these scenes were returning to lament their ruin.
 it vas an October night that. in riding along the unfrequen,ed road, chanced to glance down dim lane, and perceived the house. vas weary and unaequainted, % refining my horse into the path hall that remained of a once spacious drive-I approached the yard gate. As dismounted and threw my reins over a post, as suddenly as thought the lights were extioguished and the little noise that had come indissinctly from the building died away and all became stiil as death.
 From lagoon near by came the lonely croaking of the frogs.
 Believing that the occupants of the house had just retired, hasiened up the walk, hoping to arouse them ere all should fall asleep. The gravel rattled beneath my feet. and the shadows of the trees falling ashwart my path danced like fantastic imps of the night.
 Ireached the pavement of the court. Out of a narrow, dark recess in one wing emerged little parsonage, that I might have guessed a mere boy, but that he wore Long cloak, reaching nearly to his feet, and wide brimmed, tall hat, that entirely obscrred his face.
 His first words, Sacre. M'sieur, que tu voyager? Cest cher moi, in his ooollv indignant tone, somewhat abashed me and showed me that my host, to say the least. was no very genial parsonage.
 Monsieur" replied, lowing low, "I am benighted traveller and come to ask shelter of your hospitality
 @Shelter!" he sneered shelter !" and with a sarcastic laugh, he pointed up- ward to the moonlight pouring through the cracks in ceiling and roof: 'voila voilai vouiez-vous ie protection de Lu- loma2"
 ~I have no fear of rain, Monsieur" replied. sI only want some corner in which to repose for the night, and if you can let my horse have some provender, I shall be content to fast until morning"
 @Tres bien," he replied, and passed down the hall his footsteps. as they struck the paved floor, sending a sharp echo up through the cracks, startling the owls and bats, only St tenants for such an edifoe. Soon heard him returning, this time with candle, the light of which, served only to make the shadows more dark and grewsome. He was an old, very old man. His coarse white hair lay about his neck like quills. His hat was drawn lov over his sunken eyex His lips were sunksn from his loss of teeth, and were drawn tightly over his gums. Thoagh bearing the evidences of age, the expression oi his face together with his broad shoulders gave him the appear ance of vigor and strength.
 He passed me, and would have gone for my horse alone, had not anticipated his movement and preceded him. I Sollo@ed him to . stable in large dilapi- dated barn, where my horse was we'll fed, and we returned to the house.
 On entering, Monsieur is tired" he said, and conducted me down the hall to stairway, vide, but ereaking under our weight, as we ascended. Traversing the upper hall, he at length came to door which he opened and pointed to the bed Sleep here" he said, and turning away, Jeff me alone. His steps died away upon the pavement. l heard the door of the room just beneath me open and close. A few struggling moonbeams were my only company.
 Something about the mans face had startled me. l sat long pondering on mere possibilities and my vague appre- hensions.
 had no desire to sleep and my ears, more acute by the inexplicable circum- stances, caught every sound Glancing up, observed line of light upon the ceiling. At first, thoushs that it vas moonlight, but obsezving it more, my attention vas called to the floor. The light came through a eracx.