The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-03-20

stand. Then. however,, 1 did not
expect to intrude very long upon
their privacy.
Waiting and Watching the time
slipped away, and the storm in
creased as night approached, until
at last 1 not only gave up all hopes
of my boy coming, but after 1 had
gone to the door several times, aud
been nearly swept of my feet by
the violence of the tempest. realized
that I should have to spend the
night at the Old Glebe, and the
thought filled me with horror
Rather brave the fury of the ele-
ments than try the wrath of the
ghostly inmates, but at last reason
prevailed, and 1 accepted the inev-
table with what grace were possi-
bic. Fortunately there was an ann
! pie pile of wood indoors.
AS have stated before, the house
was gruesome on the sunniest day,
but under the present circumstances
it was we'll nigh unbearable.-
Through the west window could
mark the forms of the poplars out
side along the drive, standing out
indistinctly against the gray sky,
bending and motioning frantically
as the blast swept through their ma
ked limbs and leafless branches.-
My own footsteps frightened me, and
the inconstant freight cast such
suggestive shadows on the walls and
ceiling, it scared me to look at them.
Piling the sticks high in the fire.
place, and pulling bench we'll up
on the hearth, threw myself down
on it, hungry and utterly despond-
ent. The wind annoyed me greatly,
for maIiciously it seemed to throw
itself against the outer entrance,
rattle the loose easement, at one
time playfllly patting the panes
with falSy fingers, and anon, child
ing with sharp strokes of hail. Tir-
ing of this. it would rush with wild
speed down the chimney, fouting
the smoke and ashes in my very
face; departing thence, moan and
wall, and whisper in ghastly man
ner, and the whispering, and moan
ing, was worse than the rest.
All the tales and superstitions
had ever heard in reference to the
place, came thronging into my mind,
which curiously had hitherto esca-
In particular, 1 recollected the story,
ped my memory, of how the first
rector's daughter had shot herself
through the temple. She was cred
tied as having been very beautiful,
and the deed was committed on the
very night that her father had SO
far forgotten himself and his calling.
Poor man! 1t must have sobered
him instantly to have seen his only
girl, just now leading the dance, ly-
ing stark and cold in her festive
garments. The house, SO they said,
had never prospered since, and the
parson, though he was parson, in
less thana year afterward had drunk
himself into the grave.
X. x X x X x
1 must have slept some time, for
on awaking my first sensation was
the cold, as the fire had dwindled
down to a few glowing embers.
The wind had apparently ceased,
and drowsily 1 tried to account for
a serious of strange sounds coming
from the u; they seemed to be the
scraping of fiddles, voices, and a
/ Gathering OIL the floor as if Il dance
was in progress. Itmust have been
that l was not fully awake, or per-
haps curiosity got the better of my
fears, for with boldness now un-
accountable L entered the dark pass
ageway leading to the banqueting
hall, cropping my way along it un-
til l found the door, opened it, and
stood aghast on the threshold.
The chamber was lighted, furnish
cd, yea, and tenanted. Many
waxen tapers set in sconces on the
walls, and in large candelabra on
the mantel, ditfused mellow radi-
ance over the carven furniture, and
strange antiquated costumes of the
shadowy men and women dispersed
about the room, all of whom stared
at me with their uncarthly lustreless
eyes.
tHetrespassethl'' said one, "y yerily
an intruderl" echoed another in
hollow monotones, but tall digni-
fed old gentleman in peculiar cleri-
cal garb, approached me.
"stayI" said he laying a detain-
ling, yet kindly hand on my shout
der, @thou art stranger it is true,
yet i faith no unwelcome guest.
Comel" and leading me to massive