Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-10-28
Mahansown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday; Oct g. 1885,

| DCCll WIN iIC AZ CHlItilOOd Hdh DCCl
seed sown upon stony ground. Lately
| had been too much absorbed in my
plans and prospects to care whether
lived in a graveyard or in the Garden
of Eden.
On the evening preceding our wed
ding day I stayed much later than us
ual at Ethel's house, for we had Il great
many final preparations to make be-
fore we babe good bye to our old lives
and began the new. When | talked OIL
returning to Death Lodge" she shud-
dcred.
I thank heaven she said, "that
this is the last time you will ever enter
that drealy cemetery at night"
I'm spite Of all your fears and proph-
ecies, v said "no evil has bcfallen me
In the months Of my residence there
No wraiths or ghosts have condescended
to visit me, and even the little Hollan-
ders have given up jackstraw5 and
mumbletv-peg, and refuse to appear"
You have never uttered Il complaint
against the LODGE" she said, and |
ought to have Il little grateful senti-
ment toward it, since it has enabled us
to be married sooner than would have
been possible If you had not gone there
to live. But, Herbert, how could any
living creature grow sentimental over
il house that is called Deaths Lodge 2
| made no effort to answer the q,lea-
ton. My thoughts were dwelling ten
DERBY upon the future tour future) that
would open to us on the morrow. !
reminded her it was the last time
would say goodbye to Ethel Hartley.
Tomorrow she would be Mrs. Ethel
Grant. When | left her it was nearly
midnight, and he moonlight was as
brilliant as if November had arrived,
instead of September.
| took short cut through the ceme-
terry, and my way lay through the part
that belonged to the HolIandcrs, 1t
occurred to me that the hour was near
when they were SAID to appear. /
smiled at the thought, and trudgcd
bravrly on through the rank overgrown
grass that was heavy with dew.
Continuing on my way, | noticed
that was approaching newmade
grave. and | wondered who had been
buried there. While i was wondering
| witnessed Il sight that almost caused
my heart to cease beating, ! saw IL
head rise slowl Y out of the grave and
stop above it. | stood motionless for a
moment while my eyes were fixed up
on this object could see that a
CHASTITY face was turned toward mo-
Then | forgot that was not aupersti-
tlons. forgot that had laughed at
Kthel's fear. forgot that | had been
willing to face any ghost Of nay size that
could be produced. | forgot every
thing bnt the staring c0untonancc that
arose from that new made grave. |
had always been counted strong man
and courageous, but confess that on
this occasion was very weak. did
not wait to interview the arparltlon.--
turned like coward. arl ran from
1t with all the Band fretness of fear.
| had not run far when | was
brought to a full and sudden stop. |
had run against a tombstone With such
violence that was thrown backward
upon the ground. sprany to my feet,
although | was bruised from my fall,
and looked back to see what had be
come Of the apparitlon. 1t Was not in
sight. | could see the newly filled
grave distinctly in the moonlight, and
itappeared undisturbcd. No dishevel
ed head protrudcd from it, and no bag
gard face contemplated me from lts
CHASTITY depths.
For some minutes | stood thinking of
what | had seen, and was undeci ded
whether to advance or to retInce my
steps. confess that was tempted to
leave the graveyard to sleep that night
at the village inn But upon reflection
| decided that this would be a foolish
proceeding. had still some effects at
the Lodge, which | woull have to pack
and carry with me on the morrow.
thought of making a wide detonr
around the new grave, but | did not
like to he driven out Of my path by an
intangible thing that | did not under
stand | began to have suspicion
that | was the victim of practical. or
Of AN optical deluslon. resolved to
continue in my former path, and to
force myseIfto pass very close by the
new grave. I further resolved that !