St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-09-08

was the ready defense; '.you only came
from New York"
Mabel and Jessie Winthrop were
orphan sisters. one fifteen years the
elder. and mother as well as sister to
her idolized charge. Her own life
romance was buried chapter. and now
she was chiefly concerned for the happi-
ness OF the two young persons seated
there.
George Barrett was distant cousin,
and was to be married to Jessie Win
throp in two weeks time. They had
come down TO make ready the villa.
which was their favorite home. II
stood upon a winding river, close to
the seashore. and commanded view OF
the surrounding country for many
miles. 1t was an immense house con-
tanning some twenty-five rooms, and
full OF unexpected inches. hooks and
crannies. 1t was kept. thoroughly
furnished, but locked up through the
winter months. An unexpected cold
wave had made the coming OF the
prospective bridal party somewhat
dreary affair.
A few happy touches here and there
transformed the gloom into cheer. and
it was with renewed animation that
they arose from their repast an hour
later.
| George was to return to the city next
| day, but would run down frequently be-
fore the wedding. Meanwhile. this.
their first evening. passed agreeably and
quickly for all.
The ensuing week was busy one. A
whole army Of sweepers, busters and
renovators, were turned loose In the villa
and the good work went on with will.
Michael took charge Of a pony and
phaeton. and the sisters often drove to
the village shops two miles away.
where the nearest railroad station was.
1t was very necessary, however, that
Mabel should make final trip to the
city, to purchase some indispensable ar
ticles. 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, Us she made out
her long list Of purchases.
"Afraid:" echoed the other. ''Why.
no!-what il there to be afraid of? Il
is perfectly SAFE"
"Yes. l know. Otherwise I would
not leave you"
1.-The 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"
See that the house is securely fas-
tened, dear, and look for us tomorrow
night" was Mabel's parting injunction,
as she kissed her and said goodbye.
..Indade, Miss JESSIE" said Katie. a
little later. '.indade it's not right for
the loikes ov yees to be here all alone"
'.Why, Katie, what's the matter?"
laughed Jessie; s'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 a ghost in this house.
Howly Mother defind usr' and Katie
piously crossed herself in real terror.
"A ghost, Katie. I'm ashamed OF
you. 1t is only the wind. It always
blows here fearfully. You might turn
q regiment loose in the house. and they
could scarcely make more noise than
these big. rafting windows"
.'Arrah, me jewel" protested Katie,
'rhere's a terrible walkin' 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 murdered iscapin'? Sich a quare
murther, too. with the finger-rings all
left on. and the money purse in the
pocket. All, Miss Jessie, 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; 80.
after an early tea, Jessie amused her.
self for an hour at the grand piano. then
retired to her coy room in the second
story, which had been elegantly fitted
up.
The high winds from the sea had
lulled. and for once the house was utter
~ 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 a IA
vorite song, and very happy in thoughts
Of her approaching marriage. While
deep in her smiling reverie stealthy
footstep distinctly sounded outside her
door. Raising her head from the lace
trine she was finishing, she had not
time to feel . sensation OF real fear
when the door-knob turned and head
intruded itself which struck her ~
dumb as though Medusa had appeared.
and drove the life-blood in a frozen cur.
rent to her head.
The face was ghastly, the hair black
and curling upon the high; narrow
shoulders. the figure slight and spare,
and pair Of restless black eyes gilt
tered swiftly and cunningly around the
room.
'.Hist- he said. to the horror-stricken
girl, softly closing the door and turning
Il