St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-12
IN THE DARK.


thing ever knew! 1 don't think L am SUI
perstitious, but L can't help fancying that"
Ethel left the sentence unfinished, wrink-
ling her brows in thoughtful frown as she
gazed into the depths of her empty teacup.
''What has happened?' L inquired, glanc-
ing up from the money article of the Times
at my daughters pretty, puzzled face.
Nothing mcanny, hope! You haven't
discovered that ghost is included among
the fixtures of our new house?"
This new house, the Cedars, was pretty,
Old-fashiOned riverside villa, betweed Rich
mQnd and Kew, which L had taken fur
nished, as a summer residence and to which
we had only just removed.
Let me state, in parenthesis, by way of
introducing myself to the reader, that |,
John DySart, am Il widOwer with one child,
the blue-eyed, fair-haired young lady who
sat opposite to me at the breakfast table that
bright June morning; and that l have been
for many years the manager of an old eStab
lished life insurance company in the city.
''What is the mystery?" L repeated, as
Ethel did not reply.
She came out of her brown study, and
looked at me impressively.
1T really is a mystery, papa, and the
II am in the dark at present as to what
sit may be-. . l reminded her.
Something that happened last night
You know that adjoining my bedroom there
is large, dark closet. which can be used as
q box or storerOom?"
Il had forgotten the fact, but will take
your word for it. Well, Ethel?"
''Well, last night L was restless, and it
was some hours before | could sleep. When
at last | did SO ! had a strange dream about
that closet. 1T seemed that as l lay i'm bed
heard a noise within. as if some one were
knocking at the door, and a child'S voice
broken by Sobs, crying pteOusly, Let me
out, let me Out!' | thought that got out
of bed and opened the door, and there,
crouching all in a heap against the wall,
was little boy, a pretty, pale little fellow
of or Z, looking half wild with fright. AT
the same moment L awolle."
And 10! it was dreamr' l finished
IF that is all. Ethel"
but it is not" she interpoSed "The
strangest part of the story has to come. The
dream was so vivid that when | awoke l sat
up in bed, and looked toward the closet
door, almost expecting to hear the sounds
again. Papa, you may believe me or not.
but it is a fact that did hear them. the
muffled knocking and the pitiful cry As
/ listened it grew fainter and fainter. and at
length ceased altogether. Then | summoned
courage to get out of bed and opened the
door. There was no living creature in the
place. Was it not mysterious" she con-
cluded. ''What can it mean?"
/ glanced at her with a smile as l re-
folded the paper and rose from my chair.
at means, my dear, that you had night
mare last night. Let me recommend YOU
for. fla fnf11ra NOT IN DOT ,lNar ~,
ner."
mo, papa" she interrupted. 1 was
broad awake and heard the child's voice
as plainly as ever heard sound in nv
life"
"Why didn't you call me?"
81 was afraid to stir till the sound had
ceased; but if L ever hear it again L will let
you know at once"
BE sure you do. Meantime. suppose
you come into the garden" continued.
throwing open the French windows; 1.-THE
morning air will blow all these cobwebs
from your brain"
Ethel complied, and for the present l
heard no more of the subject
Some days passed away, and we began to
feel quite at home in our new quarters
A more delightful summer retreat than
the Cedars could hardly be imagined. with
light was excluded by the screen of foliage
outside; its trellised veranda, overgrown
with creepers, and its smooth lawn. shaded
by rare old cedar trees, which gave the place
its name.
Our friends soon discovered its attractions
and took care that we should not stagnate
for want of society. We kept open house.
lawn tennis, garden parties and boating ex-
cursionS were the order of the day. 1t was
glorious summer weather, the DAYS warm
and golden, the nights starlight and still.
One night, having important letters to fin
lsh, sat up writing after all the household
were III bed. The window was open, and
at intervals 1 glanced up from my paper
across the moonlight lawn, where the
shadows OF the cedarS lay dark and motion
less. Now and then great downy moth
would flutter in and hover round the shaded
lamp; now and then the swallows under the
caves uttered faint, sleepy chirp. For all
other signs and sounds of life l might have
been the only watcher in all the sleeping
world.
had finished my task and was lust clos
Ing my writing-case when l heard hurried
movement in the room above-EthePs foot
steps descended the stairs, and the next
moment the dining-room door opened. and
Ethel appeared, in long white dressing
gown. WITH small nlght-lamp In her hand
There was look on her face which made
me start up and eXclaim: what is the
matter? What has happened?"
She set down the lamp and came toward
me.
81 have heard it again." she breathed.
laying her hand on my wrist.
''You have heard-what?"
1.-THE noise in the bedroom"
/ stared at her q moment i'm beWilder-
ment and then half smiled.
'sOh, is that it?'' 1 exclaimed, in a tone
IA relief. You have been dreaming again,
it seems"
81 have not been asleep at ALL" she re-
piled. 1.-The sounds have kept me awake
They are louder than the first time: the
child seems to be sobbing and crying as if
his heart would break. 1t is miserable to
hear it,"
''Have you looked inside?" 1 asked. i'm
pressed in spite of myself by her manner.
''No, dared not tonight was afraid
of seeing she returned, with
a SILVER.
''Come, we must get to the bottom of this
mystery" said, cheerfully, and taking up