The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-09-11

10 his breast. His wife had taken to
stunning him, seeking the privacy Of
her room. Occasionally the door was
locked against him. He swore to him
self that he would get at the mystery.
lie followed her to her room again
the door was closed against him, the
key turned, and the bolt was shot in
his hearing. In his rage he struck at
the door once, twice, thrice-with his
heavy riding whip. Then, a man of
powerful strength, he took up heavy
chair and shattered the door. As the
door gave way he caught sight of some.
thing-what was never known-and
dashed into the room. When next
seen his wife was a timerous idiot, and
whether it was remorse or despair, or
the result of an accident, his body a
week later was washed ashore. But
the cloaked figure was not seen TO steal
away, the emissary never returned to
Versailles, and after time tho crazy
widow disappeared.
"And is there secret chamber = l
asked, "creepy" sensation at my back
bone.
"I don't know, ma'am. think not.
One has never been found. Part Of
the old house was pulled down, I've
heard. l should think the family that
came to it would do away with any
thing of the sort"
Something in the old woman's man.
ner struck me as still evasive. | was
inclined to believe that some secret
Granny was yet in existence. Well, AL
fred would be with us before the day
was over.
He did not disappoint us, but his
telegram had given us some confidence.
Yet Cora would not 60 about the house
alone. l do not think l could have
prevailed upon her to visit the room in
which we slept. When Alfred arriv.
ed, she rushed to meet him, and plac-
ing her hand on his shoulders, buried
her head on his breast, imploring him
not to desert her.
"Take me away-back to London.
| cannot-I am afraid to stay in this
dreadful place
"My dear, what is wrong with you''
he asked.
l found it difficult TO get Alfred to
myself. Cora seemed as if she would
not be disposed of. l had to stamp my
foot before l could detach her.
"One would think You were intent
upon eating him." said with pre-
tence of displeasure.
"Now then, Selma" said he when
we were alone, "what is the grievance'
Briefly l related our experiences ol
the night Then l gave him the old
woman's narrative, put, as l was prid'
ing myself, in highly interesting man
ner. All I got for my pains was an
indignant "Pish!7 followed by mater
ialistic dis9uisition that l rebelled
against utterly. Cause and effect, die
clothes walki-Bsh! l could believe
my ears and my eyes.
"We must 60" decided l, "or We
shall have Cora crazy. She was terri
| fed"
"And were not you ?"
Il was alarmed, yes, l was frighten
ed
"Humph you had better 60 to {
hotel, both of you. will stay in th'
house, and sleep in that room. viii
have bludgeon handy, and woe Il
the miscreant I"
Il wouldn't Alfred it is not wortl
while"
1T isn't But it is. shall eyplod
the fallacy. / have never had chanc
before l feel in honor bound to max
the attempt"
saw that it was useless attempting
to dissuade HIM, and decided that We
too, would risk another night in tn
house.
Cora was in great alarm when A
fred acquainted her with this decision
but his quiet and derisive laughter, if
did not wholly reassure her, quiete
her. ! could see that Alfred though
Cora was ashamed of her fear,, an
that /, after all, was the more gullib
person.
"Close your eyes Cora, and get
good nights rest" said l, as she mes
led near me.
81 don't think l can sleep, feel (
anxious for Alfred"
But soon had the satisfaction
hearing her regular breathing.
thought l would keep awake, but
dozed off. l had no sleep the previol
night, and when miss a nights rest
generally make up for it after.
could not have slept many minut
when l was awakened by peculi
noise. Our room was contiguous
Alfred's, but the walls we're thick.
awoke Cora.
"Listen!" whispered she, in sor
dread.
I strained my ears. Family can
{ what sounded like measured steI
r They would cease for moment
, more, then be resumed. 1t was ne
, phase of the ghosts vagaries.
"What are you going to do :" Co
, asked, anxiously.
r - am going to tap at Alfred's dc
e and ask him if he is all right"
g 81 dare not stay alone"
5 81 shall not be away minute. Y
t would not have any harm come to /
! fred :"
!, Il shall 60 with you"
, We each slipped on our dressiI
i gowns and enoased our feet in slipp'
a to steal along the corridor to Alfre
a door. He evidently heard us, for
' door opened with such suddenness c.
: gaye little scream.
4; "Oh, it's you : " said Alfred, lit
n ungraciously. | found he was dis
pointed.
: "You may thank you stars l did
rush at you. l thought, hearing "
n stealthy tread, it was some rascal ste
4 ing away"
"Have you heard the cuts at
S door 7 | asked.
J. Il heard something, should hs
:. been stone deaf if l hadn't" grow
e he. Il got to the door as quickly
S possible, but / was too late"
e Perhaps ] felt my triumph, slthou
y my teeth chartered aud my chin
y nervous twitchings. Alfred was