Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-07-27


tanning somo twenty-five rooms, ant
full OF unexpected inches, hooks nnd
crannios. II was kept, thoroughly
furnished, but locked up through the
winter months. An unexpected cold
wave had made tho coming Of the
prospective bridal party somewhat
dreary affair.
A few happy touches hero and there
transformed the gloom into cheer, and
II was with renewed animation that
they arose from their repast an hour
later
George was TO return TO tho city noxt
day, but would run down frequently be-
fore the wedding. Meanwhile, this,
their first evening, passed agroeably and
quickly for all.
Tho ensuing week was busy one. A
whole army OF sweepcrs, busters and
rcnovators, were turned loose in the villa
and the good work went on with WILL
Michael took charge OF pony md
phaoton, and tho sisters often drove to
tho village shops, two miles away,
whore The nearest railroad station was.
1t was very necessary, however, that
Mabel should make final trip to the
city, TO purchase some indispensable mr.
/ ticlcs, and she arranged her time so that
George could return with her on the
last evening train.
"You won't be afraid, darling?" was
Mabel's fond question, as she made out
her long list of purchases,
"AfraidP" echoed the other. "Why,
no!-what is there TO be afraid OFF 1t
is perfectly safe"
"Ycs, l know. Otherwise would
| not leave you.n
"Tho house is big" said jessie, "but
we have near neighbors. Besides,
there is Mike and Katie and Mrs. Law
renee. Oh, I'm all right, Mabel, darling"
"Seo that the house is securely fas-
tened, dear, md look for us tomorrow
| night" was Mabel's parting Injunction,
as she kissed her and said goodbye.
"Indade, Miss JESSIE" said Katie,
little later, "indado it's not right for
the loilics ov yoes to be here all alone"
"Why, Katie, what's the matter?n
laughed Jessie; ''you don't call this be-
ing left alone do you?"
"Ah, but haven't you heard the quare
noises in the tower, Miss Jessie? An
shure an there is ghost in this house.
lIowly Mother dciind us!' and Katie
piously crossed herself in real terror.
IN ghost, Katiel I'm ashamed of
you. 1t is only the wind. 1t always
blows here fearfully. You might turn
n regiment loose in the house, and they
could scarcely make more noise than
these big, rafting windows.
"Arrah me jewell" protested Katie,
there's n terrible wallSin' about in the
tower livery night these two nights.
And didn't yees hear about the awful
murther in the town beyant us, and
the murthered iscapin'? Sich quare
murther, too, with the finger-rings all
left on, and tho money purse in the
pocket. All, Miss Jessie, II murtherin'
ghost won't niver be laid!"
"You silly Katie" said Jessie, mer-
rily. Don't be afraid. I'll take care
of the ghosts. We are all right"
The night passed without incident,
and the next day Jessie devoted her en-
ergies to an important task, which she
had lazily deferred till now.
Mabel was TO take supper in the city |
and reach home about nine o'clock; so,
after an early tea, Jessie amused her.
self for an hour at the grand piano, then |
retired to her cozy room in the second
story, which had been elegantly fitted
up.
lulled and for once the house was utter
ly quiet-so quiet that the stiffness be-
came oppressive. Mrs. Lawrence had |
retired with nervous headache. Mike |
was bent upon routing an army OF rats
at the barn, and Katie had asked per-
mission to come up and sit with Miss
Jessie after her days work was done.
Meanwhile the young girl sat in her
bower OF luxury, softly humming fa- |
vorite song, and very happy in thoughts |
of her approaching marriage. While
deep in her smiling reverie n stealthy |
door. Raising her head from the lace
triile she was finishing, she had not |
time to feel Il sensation OF real fear |
when the door-knob turned and head |
intruded itself which struck her us
dumb as though Medusa had appeared,
and drove the life-blool in frozen cur
rent to her head.
The face was ghastly, tn hair black
and curling upon the nigh, narrow
shoulders, the figure slight and spare,
and II pair of restless black eyes gilt
tered swiftly and cunningly around the
room.
"Hist!" he said, to the horror-striclien
girl, softly closing the door and turning |
the key; and il Jessie had IA distinct |
thought, in that awful moment, it was
of thankfulness that the winter damp
ness had so warped the door that the
key would not fairly catch in the lock,
u bit of repairing thus far overlooked in
the wedding preparations. Don't be
frightened" he said, still in n Whisper
you'll take care of me won't you?"
But the girls great eyes only riveted
themselves in more hopeless, helpless
terror upon the apparition. Every
muscle seemed paralyzed.
He drew n chair to the open CRATE, as
If the fire were most welcome.
"You see," he said, in his quiet, soft |
voice, "if they track me here they may
hang me, and they would be wrong
all wrong. did not intend to kill her,
but she would not hold still"
AT this he laughed u blood-curdling |
laugh and the horrid truth burst upon
the girls dazed senses. She was alone |
with maniac. All the stories she had |
ever read rushed TO her memory, and |
the only clear idea that she had was
that she must, il possible, humor his |
vagaries till help came. She was pet
tod, spoiled darling, but she had great |
q iii Il. Id Ia