The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-07-10

exception Of Mr.. Jcwctt."
But / do not think it is treating
them WE'LL"
"lou would find they would soon be
laughing at MS If they thought We de-
sired their attentions.
What girls yon are" sighed their
visitor, who would have liked nothing
better than Irritation with the whole
six.
That night Martha Mason was lying
awake in Mrs. Holmes best bcd-roo IL.
congratulating herself that she Lad
come Just at the right time.
THE girls do not care for my com
pany, know slc ruminat,d. "But
Mary will not allow them to say word
against my staying here, although
don't believe she wants me very bad
herself. But 90 In and go to work
in james kitchen | won't, especially rs
Mr.. Jevett Is here shouldn't wonder
at all ii ! could get him away f.on,
Mary; that is, if they will allow me to
say word to him alone. 1t certainly
was promising move his inviting me
to drive the first day. How queer Mary
is, and what old maids those girls are
The clock here slowly chimed out the
midnight hour and close upon it came
a long drawn sorrowful moan.
Martha Mason's blood fairly chilled
in her veins, for she was the greatest
OF towards, but at length she looked
fearfully around her, and there in the
middle Of the room was ghastly white
figure with long, slender finger pointed
directly ut her.
Heavens" she shrieked, and buried
her head inthe depths Of the bed clothes,
not daring to speak or look around her.
She remained perfectly quiet until
nearly morning, and when she dared
to look the terrible thing was no more
to be seen.
She was one OF the earliest risers in
the cream-colored cottage, and she
would have departed instantly had il
not been for the glorious chances for
Irritation there. But for fear of the
girls ridicule she said not word OF her
visitant, but during the day she said to
Mrs. Holmes: .
"Mary, that room you gave me is
fearfully damp
"My other rooms are all fnll,' fal.
tered Mrs. Holmes.
"You could exchange with u.s. said
Clara, trying her best to control her
risibles.
"That will be much better" said
Martha, who cared not whit for the
effect Of the ghost upon her young con
sins nerves.
Accordingly, that evening, after she
had received . quiet snubbing from Mr..
Jewett, who persistently read his paper
during her most brilliant flights Of con.
| versation, the exchange was made.
But poor Martha Jared no better, fol
at midnight, when she was quietly
sleeping, feeling secure, now that she
was not in the haunted room, cold
hand was passed over her brow, and
she sprang up to see the same fearful
figure standing near her, and to hear {
fearful, gnrgling sound as OF some ont
choking to death.
More frightened than before, she es
capped from the room and ran into Mrs
Holmes, crying:
"Mary, did YOU know this house wa.
haunted!'
"Why. what is the matter?" aske,
her cousin. Il should not like such ;
report as that to get out among NJ,
boarders."
1T is true; have seen the ghos
both nights"
Martha, be careful what you say
such story as that would drive ever,
boarler from the house.
Il can't help it it is true, and slal
tell it."
"But YOU will break up my busi
ness"
Il don't care it's true. shall tell it.
Clara and Belle had just entered tn,
room. and seeing how angry her mothe
looked, Clara ventured:
Perhaps it would be better, If vo,
believe such thing as that, for yoa 10 g,
away quietly, and not attempt to breal
| up mothers business by telling You
silly story"
"Yes, that would be much better,
said Mrs. Holmes, who believed it
sham of her cousins to attract til,
boarders' attention; and was very mucl
displeased.
Martha had no! expected such dc
nouement as this. hut she was obige,
to acquiesce, especially rs Clara gay,
her no chance to tell her story to an,
of the gentlemen. by keeping constant
u by her side, and helping her abou
her packing, and even accompanyin,
her to the depot, where Martha CAV
her parting shot by saying:
"Ibelievc it was all your work, youn,
lady, just to get rid of me because yo
was jealous of me: but you need not b
SO reioiced; no man in his senses woul,
look at such red-headed, freekle
faced thing as you are.
But she believed in the ghost all til
same, for she would not attend Mr.. an,
Mrs. Jewett's wedding, for fear sh
would have to spend u night under tn
roof of the Cream Colored Cottage.