The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-07-10

agreeable things Mr.. Jewett had saHd
to her during the afternoon, and. rs
soon as tea was over, she followed him
into the boarders' parlor. where he sat
reading by the shaded lamp.
what fool she is I" said Clara. i'm
patiently.
"She is not very far-seeing.' replied
Mrs. Holmes. But hope you girls
will always treat her with the most un-
VARYING courtesy"
Mrs. Holmes had always given the
parlor up to the boarders during the
evening, but tonight, out of courtesy
to her guest, she sat down near her
while she chatted and talked ia way
that was very embarrassing TO her host
ess. The girls came to her relief at
last, inviting their sociable cousin to
see an aquarium in another apartment.
/ She soon made move to return.
I'VE never sit with the gentlemen
evenings" said Clara.
You don't; why what do they think? p
she exclaimed.
"Not a thing. Cousin Martha; they
are not guests you know, only board
ers, and We have to be very particular
because they are all strangers, with the
exception of Mr.. Jewett."
"But l do not think it is treating
them we'll"
"You would find they would soon be
laughing at us if they thought we de-
sired their attentions"
"What girls you 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 bedroom.
congratulating herself that she had
come just at the right time.
THE girls do not care for my COM
pany. / know she ruminated. "But
Mary will not allow them to say word
against my staying here, although l
don't believe she wants me very bad
herself. But go back and go to work
in James kitchen l won't, especially as
Mr.. Jewett Is here. / shouldn't wonder
at all if l could get him away from
Mary; that is, if they will allow me to
say word to him alone. 1t certainly
was q promising move his inviting me
to drive the first day. How queer Mary
is, and what old maids those girls are. 1"
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, bat at length she looked
! fearfully around her, and there In the
middle of the room was CHASTITY white
figure with long, slender finger pointed
directly at her.
"Heavensl" 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 it
not been for the glorious chances for
Irritation there. But for fear of the
girls ridicule she said not word of her
vistant, but during the day she said to
Mrs. Holmes:
"Mary, that room you gave me is
fearfully damp"
"My other rooms are all full" fall
tered Mrs. Holmes.
you could exchange with US" 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 cou-
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. for
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 a
fearful. gurgiing sound as of some one
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 was
haunted?"
"Why, what is the matter?" asked
her cousin. II should not like such a
report as that to get out among my
boarders."
at is true; have seen the ghost
both nights.
Martha, be careful what you say.
such story as that would drive every
boarder from the house."
81 can't help it; it is true, and l shall
tell it."
"But you will break up my bust
ness"
II don't care; it's true. shall tell it.
Clara and Belle had just entered the
room, and seeing how angry her mother
looked, Clara ventured:
Perhaps it would be better, if you
believe such thing as that, for you to GO
away quietly, and not attempt to break
up mothers business by telling your
silly story"
ayes, that would be much better,
said Mrs. Holmes, who believed it q
sham of her cousins TO attract the
boarders' attention; and was very much
displeased.
Martha had not expected such de-
nouement as this, but she was obliged
to acquiesce, especially as Clara gave
her no chance to tell her story TO any