Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-01-14
TIE GENTLE STRANGER.
Springfield Republican.

i iONt IL lOE It's llOFeal OlU Jllngs
-old towns, old names, old china and
silver" Miss Dorothy Milton smiled
consciously, She was so young her.
self, she had so much OF the sweet de,
light of youth shecouId bear standing
close in the gray shadow of age.
''And old people,-you like people
who r old, | notice?" inquired her
companion, Guy Carleton, a little alb.
sent IN his tone.
''Ah, yes-oId people, too-always. |
like the old, especially if they are ven.
cradle"
Silence n moment; sunshine drip.
ping from branch and bou.h and leaf
above them; water running, ripping
somewhere near; grass growing under
theirfeet. The twoyoung people turn
and look up at the old house that
casts its shadow over them as they
talk. 1t is a noble building; the great
stone chimney is built on the outside
lit has an immensely high gable roof,
a beautiful mullioned window looks
out on the Hudson, u broad silver
ribbon Of water unrolling it's length
forever close by. Under this window
a high terrace ~ built with a parapet,
and steps leading down to the flower
garden where among the lilacs a The
tbs blows sun-Splashed water from d
big stone spout,
"Yes;-your home is lovely, Miss
Dolly;-it is a beautiful old house
but since you want the ancient all
about you, what shall you do with
your country? it is such a new land
ours" said Guy, who came ND from
the South and had the blood of the
old fighting French commodores in his
veins from the distatf eide.
1T is a fault that will mend with
every century" laughed Dolly.
Centuries! oh, if you are going to
talk about centurics!"-sai Guy i'm
patiently "when have only two days
more for this"
''fwo days. gasped Dolly.
81 AiuSt report to the commodore
in Washington ny Wednesday morn
Ing" said Guy, moodiIy. ~ shall
most likely beseut to the East-to the
China seas"
Captain Guy stood staring blackly
at the old house where sweet Dolly
would dwell when he was gone. Dolly
could only gasp--and lust then n great
clock in the hall began to strike the
hour loudly.
Five" cried Dorothy, starting up.
ooh, | had no idea it was so late
why didn't you tell me? Aunt Helen
will be SC veXed; she does not like me
10 neglect her guests"
She stood up, pulling light scarf and
soft lace RIFLES and primrose ribbons
straight and trim about her.
Have you nothing to say to me?"
asked Guy, but she was gone as he
said it, and he followed slowly in her
track.
In the parlor they met Aunt Helen,
also late, hurrying ina large, fair
woman, with an air of great distinc-
ton.
II beg pardon" she said, CHANGING
about her, II did not think it was so
late. | forgot the time, and was
searching some old papers"
II believe Aunt Helen spends hall
her days looking owe those musty old
records in the attic" laughed Dolly.
II don't know what she expects to
~fnd-unless q history of rents
Perhaps n new will" whispers a
voice on th, other side, as the party
gathers about the table. "You know
the Millions have never been satisfied;
there was n James Milton who disap-
peared."
Hush" whispered a neighbor,
cautioning, you don't want them to
hear you'll"
Capt. Guy was looking at Dorothy.
1T would be interesting if you could
find some old romance; ii you should
discover n ghost,--a haunted room"
"Miss Milton caught the words; "Ah,
you did not know that we have q
story already"
Guy laughed: "Do tell IT," .
Its rather commonplace sighed
Miss Milton, ''but Birket, the house.
keeper, believes it implicitly. It's
about the old window over the ter
race,-you know it's broken,-and it
can't be mended. A ghostly hama
breaks it again and a voice signs.
Come, Dorothy! come-comel'"
Dorothy at the table was looking
rather white. Presently she left the
group. Ascending q fight of SIX steps,
broad and shallow, beyond the great
hall. she found herself on the landing
by the raullioned window. 1t was a
lovely nook-like room; the ceiling
arched and high, all Of oak except
where cedar panels were let in with
delicate carving. IL was but dimly
lighted and had u dusky atmosphere,
-solemn-remote. Dolly stood one
side, her hands clasped behind her,
looking up at a portrait on the wall.
This was the picture OF a young girl,
with blue eyes and high tossed yellow
hair, wearing a dress Of blue and VIII e
with much lace about it; an earlier
Dorothy Milton surely, smiling some
what coldly down on the Dolly Milton
gazing so wistfully up at her. So alb
sorDed was the young beauty she did
not hear the footsteps following her.
"Are you come to ask questions OF
that sweet face2" said Guys voice.
Don't. let them rest, those dead
ones, let them keep their secrets STILL
Dorothy shivered: Those old sto-
ries brighten me; | wish Aunt Helen
would not listen to them"
Then come away" said Guy, "a
gerly. II nave a sweeter story TO tell;
cone to the garden and hear it, Dor
othy."
That evening one OF the servants
IA