The national leader., 1889-02-23
THE GHOSTS ENTRAPPED.

SadQleQ ana DrlQloQ ana ready 1Or
Eight In the kitchen of the comfort
able farmhouse the rider stood booted
and spurred. but only dimly visible
through the midst of odorous steam
and smoke, talking to his mother-a
bright, comely little woman of about
City.
But surely, WILL she was saying,
since he knows you have the money
ready in the bank to pay him, he will
wait until tomorrow
No, MOTHER be replied; 'the time
has expired and tomorrow is the last
day of grace. He says If he don't get
the money when he calls for it he will
turn us out on the moment, and have
occasion to believe that he would be
only too glad to keep his word.
well, well, suppose you must 60.
But don't be late and don't forget to
call on Miss Patty, and don't, above all
things. let any one know about the
money
Don't worry about that, mother.
No one knows my errand. and. after
all, it's only short two hours ride
each way, and / shall be home by
dark, whatever happens. SO good-by
and don't fret
'Good-by,' answered his mother. and
In another minute Will Eckhart was in
the saddle, and old Jayne was gayly
canterIng over the frosty road toward
Allentown, twelve miles distant from
the Corners
Mr.. Eckhart. senior, had died several
years since. leaving his property mort
gagged to Squire I4angdon. VIII had
struggled manfully under this heavy
burden of debt, and had nearly sue
ceeded in clearing the little farm, when
the old squire died and his son, Rupert,
succeeded him.
Will and the young squire were no
strangers. In tact, Cupid. with his
usual perversity and waywardness, in
wirging his shining dart at VIII, had
managed at the same time to wound
plac And so they became rivals for
the hand and heart Of little Deborah
Brown.
Now, in spite Of the fact that Rupert
was in every way the better match,
being a great deal richer, and at least
as handsome rs VIII. Debby took it
into her head, for some inexplicable
reason to prefer the latter-a proceed
ing that filed Rupert Langdon's heart
with hatred for Viii as deep and
implacable as was his love for Debby.
But he had the pride and self-control
to hide his real feelings completely until
the right time came.
a bad year for the crops, and the
mysterious death Of several heads Of
valuable stock. had made it necessary
for VIII to ask further extension of
time on the m0rtgage-a favor he had
not the least doubt of receiving, as the
old squire had always granted it
readily.
Then it was that Rupert had torn
aside the mask and for the first time
shown his real feelings. He told Will
that on the first day of January he
would foreclose the mortgage IT every
cent Of the debt were not forthcoming
on demand, and that in the meantime
he. Rupert, proposed to do all in his
power to prevent him from raising the
amount. He told VIII, beside, many
other things of an equally pleasing
nature, denounclng his "underhand
trickery" In his suit with Debby. and
concluded by ordering him out of the
house.
New Year had been decided upon as
the day for will's and Debby's we'd
ding. but after this interview with
Rupert. VIII went to Debby and told
her it must be postponed, and why.
But Debby replied with spirit that, so
far as she was concerned, she was WILL
ing to take her chances with w Ill under
any circumstances, and that If she had
her way there would be no postpone
ment on account of Rupert Langdon's
threat. though, if Will insisted, the
postponement would be for very
indefinite period.
Whereupon Will rapturously declared
she was a-etc.. etc. and That they
would be married on New Years Day,
If the ceremony had to be performed in
one of the neighboring fields. And
then, like sensible fellow, be set to
work to raise the necessary amount OF
money to pay the debt on time.
He soon found borrowing out OF the
question, as Rupert had closed that
avenue Of escape most securely. and he
was getting pretty well discouraged as
the time drew nearer, when. by lucky
little speculation, he had made more
than the amount he needed.
And thus it was that, having received
word that the money was waltlng lor
him in the bank at Allentown, we hnd
him on the road there to get 1t.
He reached Allentown in good sea-
son. and was soon in the private oftce
of the bank. But the business required
q much longer time than he had imag.
ined, and by the time it was concluded
it was almo dark.
Then he remembered his mothers
message to Miss Patty. and Detook
himself there in haste. Remembering
Ntfat lady's remarkable loquacity, he
feSolyed before entering not to stay a
m0M3apt longer than necessary to de-
4 Jixer0the message.
So. bSsr Bntsafas for good resolutionsl Once
aslEss MissR Ratty's cozy parlor, and fully
slndeE the iRiuence of her genial COM