Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-05-17

dreanlt M, self into that roomp ! tell
you, Armitage, that was as wide
awake as you are. and am perfectly
certain that what / saw was no
dream" ~
"Well, then. the only other expla-
nation is that you must have been
drunkP"
Really" said, attempting to force
a laugh, ii only left town at $3.50, and
there's not much to get out of a rail-
way flask" Then, as he uttered a
disbciieving Hmm l added de-
spondently, II wish to goodness !
could think / was"
Look here" said Armitage scri-
ously, don't you 90 talking about
this TO anybody but me; of course there
are stories about this house, as of
every old house in England. but no.
body has ever seen or imagined any
thing uncanny before, and it will
! brighten Mrs. Arm tage to death if yoh
tell her; she is awfully delicate, and |
don't want to alarm her.
"All right" l sad, "but wish it
hadn't happened to me; feel fright
fully shaky still"
ner; good glass of champagne will
set you to rights" sad he. Accord
jngly made an effort to shake off the
depression on my spirits and went
down with him. The bright lights.
cheerful talk and CHATTER of plates
, seemed terri bly, incongruous. and / am
afraid pretty Miss Armitagc must have
thought me quite off NV head, for |
could eat nothing drank fevcrishly
and replied at random 10 all her re-
marks and condolences. while the dead
face OF tho murdered girl iloated Le-
fore my eyes and nearly distracted me.
II am afraid YOU don't feel ut all well,
Capt. Brucc?" she said at last.
PLEASE don't think me drcadfuly
rude. | replied. "but # | could slip
out unobscrved | should be most CRATE
ful."
She signed to Reggie, 4 bright-faced
boy. in an Eton jacket. whom | begged
to show me upstairs. for the perturba-
ton OF my sp rit were such that, though
| felt awfully ashamed of myself. | lit
orally dared not attempt to find my
way ND alone for fear of meeting my
my stcrious guide again. The fire burn
ed brightly in my room, the candles
were lit, and it presented the SAME APP
pearance Of luxurious ease | had be-
fore observed. Rcgg G regarded me
with round eyes of awe. evidently re-
tanned only by his fathers prohib on
from dcluding me with questions.
detained him us long as could
with trivial excuses, for ncrv-
Gus horror of solitude bogaK to possess
me, but | saw he was anxious TO be off
again to his dinner, so let him 20.
| went to the glaSs-and recUIlecled;
| hardly knew myself. My hair lay
dampIy on NV forehead, my face was
look in my eyes | had seen in him
VERY soon the door opcnci-I started
nervously; but it was onlr the Colonel
with steaming tumblcr. Look
here" he said. Just drink this off and
get into bed; you II be all right in the
morning. Iih so, and the punch,
VIII CHI was. suppose II pretty st q
M xture, did send me Off into heavy.
dreamless sleep. which lasted till nv
blinds were drawn up by the servant
in the morn ny letting in fresh sun
shine. which speedily dspclled the
Illus ons Of the previous night-for
illusions | was fain to bel eve them
in the face Of the bright wiutrv land
scape before me. and the CHEEKY sounds
of life in Il country house which stole
up to my ears through the echoing cor
ridors.
A whole day in the saddle. and a
splendid run. followed by coy game
of billiards with Miss Mabel Armitnge
before dinner. decided me. ghosts or
no ghosts. not to show myself ungrate-
full to my kind hosts by cutting short
ny visit, as l had thought of dom q
when nv first impress OnS were strong
upon me; and / found no reason to re.
gret this decision when most enjoy.
able ball was followed by another
night, or portion of night. of I'M
broken slumber.
The next day we spent in the covers.
the ladies' came out to give us our
luncheon, and | came home to dress
for dinner in II most iubilant frame of
mind, much incl ned TO put my faith to
the touch with Miss Mabel. hop NC that,
be my deserts as small us they might.
| should win, mot lose it all" Some
country neighbors were expected to
dinner, and was standing IN deep
window seat with Mabel. and listening
to her MERRY descriptions of them, as
they were ushorcd into the room by
the stately butler. when Sir George
and Mis-, Hi dyard' were announced,
and there entered, dressed il white, the
girl had seen in my dream!
| stood tranStiXcd and Mabel exlcaim-
cd: "Oh. Capt. Bruce, what is lhe mat
ter?" But | could not answer. Be
fore m eyes rose again that dark cned
room, that funeral bed and lifclcs form
of her who now advanced toward me,
led BY Mrs. Armtagc.
Miss HildyarL. Capt. Bruce"
bowed rs in dream. but saw look of
surprise cross her face. and she glanc.
ed imqm riuglv at Mabel. who answered
w Tn reasSuring nod. As soon MS
could yet an opportunity took Col.
Arm iage aside. and whispered to him:
For heavens sake. Armitagr. | am
mad? That is the giri.' lie shook
me impat emily by the shoulder aud
said "Pon my my word, Bruce. !
begin to think you are. That is one Of
the incest girls know. She is engag.
ed to Lovctt. of the-th, and they are
to be married soon after Easter. For
goodness sake don't go and frighlen
her by staring like deaths head"
Il can't take her down to dinner"
| said, Il should be sure to make n
fool of myself somahnw.'
VERY well. he rcjoincd, you can
take in Mabel and will arrang, it,"
So it was. but though was some
way from Miss Hildyard. couldn't
help watch ng her and piciuring how
differently l had first seen her face. /
ionged TO confile in Mabel. but Col
Armitage's injunction sicnced me; and
she, with gentle tact, forebore TO re-
mark my evident disturbance. and talk
cd easily on indifferent subjects till |
was able 10 collect myself
Indeed, so charming was she that at
last the demon CT superstition was sue
cessfully exercised. and / could talk
and laugh like anybody else.
After dinner ! even ventured to ac-
cost Miss HIldyard, whom found very
agreeable, with moth ng in tine least
supernatural about her; so once more
made up my mind was the victim of
some extraordinary hailucination. and
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