The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-01-15
THE GENTLE STRANGER.

Springfield Republican.
as it not a lovely old house? Yes,
Ilove it for it's age; Iloveall old things
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, she could bear standing
. close in the gray shadow of age.
"And old people,-you like people
who are old, Inotice?" inquired her
companion, Guy Carleton, a little alb
sent in his tone.
"Ah, yes-oId people, too-always. 1
like the old, especially if they are ven
cradle"
Silence a moment; sunshine drip
ping from branch and bough and leaf
above them; water running, ripping
somewhere near; grass growing under
theirfeet. The two young 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
it has an immensely high gable roof,
@ beautiful mullioned window looks
out on the Hudson, q broad silver
ribbon of water unrolling it's length
forever close by. Under this window
a high terrace is built with q parapet,
and steps leading down to the flower
garden where among the lilacs a The
tbs blows sun-splashed water from a
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 up from
the South and had the blood of the
old fighting French commodores in his
veins from the distaft side.
cit is a fault that will mend with
every century," laughed Dolly.
Centuries! Oh, if you are going to
talk about centuries!'-said Guy inn
patiently; 'when / have only two days
more for this"
1.-TWO daysl" gasped Dolly.
81 must report to the commodore
in Washington by Wednesday morn
ing" said Guy, moodily. II shall
most likely b esent to the East-tot 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 Just then a great
clock in the hall began to strike the
hour loudly.
Give cried Dorothy, starting up.
"Oh, / had no idea it was so Late
why dds you tell me? Aunt Helen
will be Sc vexed; she does not like me
to neglect her guests"
She stood up, pulling light scarf and
soft lace ruffies 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 III her
track
Pin the paSlor they met Aunt Helen,
also late, hurrying ina large, fair
woman, with an air OF great distinc-
81 beg pardon" she said, glancing
about her, 81 did not think it was SO
late. | forgot the time, and was
searching some old papers,"
Fl believe Aunt Helen spends half
her days looking over those musty old
records IN the attic" laughed Dolly
idon' know what she expects to
nnd-unless a history of rents.p
Perhaps q new will" whispers q
voice on the other side, as the party
gathers about the table. "You know
the Millions have never been satisfied;
tnere was q James Milton who disap-
peared.n
Hush" whispered a neighbor,
c~autioning, "You don't want them to
hear you'll
Capt. Guy was looking at Dorothy.
1t would be interesting if youcould
md some old romance; II you should
uiscover q ghost,--a haunted room.
Miss Milton caught the words; "Ah,
you did not know that we have q
story already?n
&duy laughed: Edo tell it,"
Its rather commonplace, sighed
Mss Milton, ssbut Birket, the house
Keeper, believes it implicitly. It's
the old window over the ter
Iace,--you know it's broken,-aDd it
can't be mended. A ghostly hand
breaks IT again and o voice signs,
Oome, Dorothylc ome-comel'"
dorothy at the table was looking
aaener white. Presently she lett the
coup. Ascending a fight Of six steps,