Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-09-24

cipitous path along the edge OF the de-
clivity, Barclay conscious of a feeling
of relief when his adventurous young
comrade had finally attained her wish,
and stond facing the moss.grown porti-
CO.
Nobody lives here, that's plain"
said willful Caroline. "Mr. Barclay, L
am determined to explore"
So saying, she slipped lightly from
the saddle, gathered up her jaunty ha6
it, and ran around through the weedy
garden at the side. Barclay, consign-
ing his horse TO the groom, followed in
time to see her engaged In active con-
versation with deaf old dame who
emerged from moldy kitchen ut the
| rear.
"She says we may have water from
the well, and leave to look at this love-
ly river view," cried the explorer. ut
appears that the house is owned by one
maiden lady, whose family has always
lived here. If may trust to my hith-
er.to infallible powers Of intuition, the
mistress is a little out of repair In her
upper story, and the maid Is afraid of
her. Come, Mr. Barclay, turn away at
this handle. How long is it since l
have had the satisfaction OF drinking
from the 'moss-covered bucket that
hangs in the well p There that's de-
liciously cold and pure. Do you see,
this garden must have been stately
one in it's prime. l wonder if the an
cient dragon would be induced to let
us haye glimpse of the interior OF the
house ? I'm positively wild to try"
Nobody witbstood Caroline, so Bar
clay was not particularly surprised to
see her return from second interview
with the old woman, beckouing him
with mysterious forelinger.
"We're to see the gound- floor. 1t
is the hour for Miss Sillma ms after
noon nap, when she never comes down
stairs. Hush tread like a burglar,
and follow me-"
In the wake of the ancient guardian
our two young people went from one
room to another, filled with handsome
furniture of the pattern peculiar to a
century ago. Old mahogany, flutec
fire.b boards, stiff chairs, convex mirrors,
black. framed mezzo tints. knobs of brass
or crystal, there ruled supreme, their
sway undisputed by the appendages of
modern luxury as seen everywhere to-
day. Il was in the best parlor that
their guide came to halt, waving her
withered hand with faint show OF
pride in its faded splendor.
'sThat's all there is to it," she said,
in croaking voice. 81 guess them
things is solid"
"Either / am dreaming or that por-
trait of the lady in the red frock with
balloon sleeves resembles you," Caro-
line suddenly exclaimed. turning upon
Barclay an astonished gaze. ''She is
enough like you to be your-what ?"
She paused puzzled by the date.
"My great. grandmother, great mt
what you will," said Barclay. laugh
ing. 'tI wish I were lucky enough to
be able to lay claim to her, but unfor-
tunately if we have any weird respecta-
bility o. this kind in the east, l have
yet to be informed of it. My mother,
who died in my childhood, was born
west, and my father is a westerner,
root and branch"
"It is astonishing" pursued Caro-
line and even the purblind eyes of
the old woman lighted with some-
thing like assent.
"She 'ain't no one belongin' to her I
ever heered OF" croaked the old crea-
tuTe, pointing upward with her thumb.
'The last on 'em to die was Miss Ia
Litha, and she's Miss Louise, They
was great folks once, I'ye heerd tell,
but that was before l came here. She
was pinchin' poor till the city TUX the
place to run road through, am now
they say there's fortune in the bank
for her. She don't spend none of it,
sartin sure. The two Of US don't eat
more'n'd keep mouse from starvin',
an there amt nobody else"
"I breathe freer,' Caroline said,
when, after presenting a gratuity to
their guide. the two mounted again and
rode out of the enclosure. after all,
like tho sunshine best. But wish
had seen the queer old lady and tI
that portait, il is simply your double,
deny it as you may"
81 am more occupied in wondering
il can get my horse by that steam
drill down yonder," Edgar said. "H'
has rooted objection to anything O
the kind, and this path does not Offer
much room for antics on his part
Your gray is quiet, Miss Heath yor
had better wait here, and let me leat
the way"
Hardly had he spoken when the en-