New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-01
THE RESULT.

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THE RESULT
1t was about o'clock the following morning when Dr.
Carroll, whose professional engagements so frequently
encroached upon his midnight repose, refined up at his
gate and prepared dismount from his saddle 1t
| still early that few people were astr save
| those of tho artisan class Carroll was in no hurry;
breakfast yet remote possibility and he was deb
crate In his His eyes moved the slopes toward
sea- unstrred in its pacdity by perceptible
wind calm sunligh touched its waters into varying
shades of color eetng clouds rested in shadows here
and there and frequent sails drfted lazy along against
the distant horizon. In the midst OF this matutnal re-
very he attracted by sudden activity from within
his gate and the cry OF a woman running toward him.
"Oh, Walter. Walter do hurry; something dreadful
has happenedl" cried tall graceful sirl with white
wan face, breaking upon him wringing her hands and
anon clenching them in distress.
Something dreadful has happenedi" He leaped
down quickly and tossed the bride a stake dawn
ing thought intrudlng itself " But what, Amelia
What has happened Nothing to Beyeriu. hope! stop
this numbering and and tell at what is
the matter "
IL was all our fault OF course" she began, sobbng
dismally, hopping her eyes and becoming circun-
locutory. " Al our fault Bessies and mine! Nobody
else was to blame; and of course you will be furious
when you hear everything but am determined to tell
YOU"
"To blame for what" he questioned as he led her
toward the house.
"To blanche blame for the whole thing" she said
eagerly. You Bessie Is here came over from the
Island the Peskaboo yesterday and she, of course,
always up to pranks, and don't mind either some
times for the sake of little fun and when saw your
note TO that friend you were expecting, Mr. Something
other, that put the idea into heads, and Bessie
said Let's give him good odfashoned scare and
said, Very well, but how'll do 1t and then Bessie
suggested"
Look here Amelia" interrupted the listener sterny,
you don't mean to tell that you and that everlast
ing wildcat, Bessie, have been playing any practical
okes on poor old Beyerin-a fellow half dead with
rheumatism already-do youl" She had twisted her
handkerchief into tight knots and was biting at 1t in
nervous little tugs.
"Oh, yes I do mean that! " she asserted with both
trembling hands over her eyes II ward away his
just anger.
Incredible" he murmured. Il am mortified to
DEATH it Is shameful and shocking beyond everything,
to have treated thus whom reverence and love
above all others, and who In his affection has sought
refuge under my roof" They were standing to parley
on the porch, about TO enter the house.
Il know, know" she continued pentently 1t was
nerfecty dreadful and Bessie and about as sick
over tho denouement rs he ispoor SOUL put let me tell
YOU the rest before you 90 in"
"Wel bs quick about it," he said roughly, too deeply
wounded to be calm or philosophical
"yery WE'LL" she replied despondenty; "you see,
cat that had pretty well starved, up garrett stair
way with lot old rubbish, of to below and
personate the murdered victim returned to haunt the
sno of her DOOM moan at intervals and knock the
empty fruit cans occasionally Bessie was to do that
part and supernend the cat and hen having doctored
all tho locks and bolts so that they wouldn't work, we
were lust to bring real live old ghost upon the scene
WAS the ghost and oh, Walter, was entirely too
cessful, You see am so tall. Well got that skull
out OF your closet and tied 1t top Of my head we set
its laws agong and stuck red tnse in behind the
eye places"
"Oh Amelia Amella! he cried, stalking up and down
the porco how could you lend yourself to anything 80
disgraceful !"
"Then we put lot of old purple velvet drapery about
me- some sophias old hnery, you know, and an
old brass baudeau. rubbed up with phosphorus and
adorned with asparagus tops, which looked like green
snakes The hands and forearms of the skeleton we tied
on too after having dipped 'em In carmne ink in
srcaks Really, Walter. was so horrible looking that
Bessie said scared her to look at and shivercd at my
own reflection in the gass don't wonder ne was over
come"
"Well" said Walter, with a despalring patience,
she hesitated. what became of him-where is he
did he flee the house !"
Just wait minute! Now, you know 1t was windy In
gust. last night, you that everything pre-
pitious. We busy all the afternoon about It, and
had everything prepared, even TO a note of warning
Royal Purple We laughed and had great fun over
things thinking what grand hoax II was going to be
and what Joke 1t would be between us all aferward
Bessie said 1t would help to make us all acquainted at
once!".
He read the note Royal Grannies!" he shouted IN
an exalted state OF bewiderment and anger what
will not the brain OF woman plot and conceived"
Them she resumed I'VE lit the lamps In ordinary
light as TO give natural impression at FIRST ard
deserted the house, sent the servants of errands and
awaited his advent. Bessie said must not be TOO
sudden anything must allow the thought that
he In haunted house to gradually dawn upon him;
II would have much force with the
than sudden shock" She paused moment for breath
| In her recital. which had been rapid and excited.
well, when the climax was reached aud I had sailed
three tmss around tho in that scaudaous manner
and awful make ap, and had drawn circle three
tirnes around his head with that long bony finger,
listen" touching his with impressive awO he fell
In q fantIng ut upon the aoorl screamed and
Bessie tearing In to the fIu but let tell you
It was NO fun for had been Obliged to mako It much
moro horrible than had planned because he had o
loaded pistol We tried everything IN the world To bring
him to. and finally, after having carried him between
across hall and having placed him the lounge aud
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