New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-03-28

Out any revelation TO MIN OF what
troubled her. Jack and Willie, the
boys, were iubilant over the pros
pect OF a vegetable garden with peas,
potatoes anG souashes of their own
raising. But their sister looked SO ill
that the young physician felt called
upon to expostulate
"Cara," he said, II want to speak
to you. You must have a change or
you will die.''
20, no, shall not she replied, in
creduiously.
Your countenance gives token of
unmistakable exhaustion You are
doing too much labor or you have
some trouble. Cara, why do you not
confde In me? Do you not believe I
am your friend?"
ooh, yes. 1t is nothing, only l do
not sleep very WE'LL
"Why?"
She made no reply, and seeing that
his lnsistance distressed her, he ceas-
ed to urge her confidence at that time,
though more certain than ever that
she had a painful secret. He was sat
lstied that she had no organic disease;
and her mind seemed to have no NOR
bid tendency. But the colorless cheek,
the hollow temples, the air OF languor,
betrayed that something daily and
hourly Slapped the young girls
strength.
One morning, Willie, the younger
boy, raped at his Office door.
Something's the matter with my
sister," he said. owe can't wake her
up. Won't you come over?"
DR.. Leighton found Carain a stupor
and delirious, with every symptom OF
brain fever. He lost no time in get
ting assistance. Mrs. Hodgdon, the
village nurse, was at Cara's bedside
when she awoke.
DR.. Leighton had just left the room
and was in the next apartment. He
did not go in Immediately, though he
heard the girl talking.
cam / so very sick?" she asked.
"No, dear. You was feverish and
your mind wandered little, and l
was out Of g place and told DR.. Leigh
ton could stay with you day or
two as we'll as not for my board. I
hain't forgotten the Jackets as Willie
outgrew that you sent to my Bobbie;
and had feeling for a young girl with
no mothers hand in the hour O.
need"
ooh" moaned theyoung girl. "I'm
not sick, Pm worn OUT Oh, this
dreadful housed | have not slept
soundly all winter"
"Why, dearie?'
ooh, Mrs. Hodgdon. there is some
body in this house beside ourselves.
Beside me and the boys, | mean.
Somebody creeps about and I am AL
ways listening for that step. It is
killing me! Oh, don't tell anyone
did not mean to tell you, but am so
weak. Don't, don't say a. word to
DR.. Leighton. must bear it, because
it's all the home I'VE have, and the boys
never had such pretty, nice home
before, and they are doing so we'll,
and are SO good. | was not afraid at
first. | am not afraid now, only for
them. There may be some evil about,
though nothing has ever harmed us.
But as soon as | fall asleep start up
and listen"
Cara was begging the old woman not
to betray her confidence, when DR..
Leighton came into the room.
"You must tell me the whole story,
Caran' he said ''You shall not lose
anything by it," he added.
But Cara broke out, crying, in her
weakness giving way to her emotions,
and for a time the tumult would have
it's way She was brought to listen to
reason at last.
cit was two months after we came
here she said, that [ first heard
those creeping, creeping steps. tried
to think it was the trees, or the wind,
or the cat, but I heard them when
there was no wind at all, and the cat
was asleep on the foot OF my bed, and
the things were moved from their
places about the house, and lately ]
have missed food. That's since I
would not allow myself to believe that
spirit haunted the place. / have
searched every spot and nook in this
house. There is only the space above
the scuttle in the roof, and there are
no stairs
ooh, DR.. leighton" groaned Mrs.
Hodgdon, ''then, OF course, it's
spirits"
Nonsense"
DR.. Leighton contented himself with
prescribing for the sick and over
wearied girl, and after few days Of
care arranged a drive for her in his
new buggy, with her brother Jack as
attendant.
"You are to take a nice long drive,
and not be back under two hours"
he said, smiling.
The kindness and care surrounding
Cara was new and very pleasant to
her. AS the wheels rolled away from
the door in the brightness of the
spring day, her trouble fell away
from her like a nightmare, and the
color came back to the pretty cheek.
Five minutes after her departure
from Thistle Cottage two men were
in the house with DR.. Leighton. They
went rapidly through it, beginning with
the cellar. Every wall was tried, with
the idea of discovering any unknown
space or passage. Nothing unknown
was developed. At length short
ladder was brought, and the men as
cended to the attic.
IT, was onlv a hollow snana hann Fl,