Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-06-27

Of footsteps How foolish and nsrv-
Gus / was becoming. Reaching tho
ton, q long, narrow corridor opened
before me, and as advanced another
door near suddenly closed.
But on I weht, peering into rooms
and halls. quaint closets and cup
boards, with q firm determination to
do or die. I felt my courage rise and
began to reason with myself 1t was
tho wind. and the rats. and bats,
and scratching of boughs and leaves
against the window-shutters and roof
whence came the noise which my
nerves had conjured up into whisper
ing voices and footsteps Unaccus-
toned to the unusual exertion OF rid
ing so far and tramping about, l grew
very weary.
Couches stood almost everywhere,
as if the former inmates of the old
house were only too fond of leisure and
reclining. With my handkerchief /
brushed the cobwebs and dust from
one that had once been a thing of
beauty, in its rich crimson satin COW
ering and heavy golden cords and
tassels. now SO soiled and furnished.
Gratefully sank down upon it after
placing a shawl over it, albeit the
green mold and its odor were very
suggestive of tomb.
Somehow amid all this gloom and
desolation I grew singularly calm,
when raising my eyes met two dark.
beautiful, tear-filled eyes gazing full
into mine from an opening in the floor
overhead.
I did not start Or cry aloud, and as if
impelled by an unseen force. I raised
my hand and beckoned to the form.
1t quickly vanished, and soon after
slight girlish figure, with long light
hair all unbound, with q darkly beau
tiful face and graceful form clad in lus-
terless black silk, made in the fashion
of our great grandmothers, stood be-
side me.
I sat up and took the small white
hand she extended towards me into
my own and chafed it, for it felt cold.
Clearing my voice, 1 asked: What
is it and who are you?"
The slight form OF the girl. for she
was scarcely more than that shivered.
and her dark eyes sought the corner
of the gloomy room with furtive ap-
prehension.
'Do not fear" I said. bravely.
''Nothing shall harm you," and yet l.
too, was quaking with a startled.
nervous tremor sadly akin to fear.
Apparently treasured. che gave
deep sigh, as though of relief, and
dropped on her knees at my feet.
''No, nor I said. mot there; sit
here by my side," and moving along,
1 made place for her upon the couch.
But she shook her head and raised
her dark eyes to mine pleadingly, and
laid her two little pale hands in my
lap.
1 took them again, the tiny futter-
ing things, and held them within my
own warm clasp.
II am so glad you have come" she
said in sweet, plaintive voice; Il
have waited SO long for one brave
enough to come here alone that /
might tell them my story" She
paused. Suddenly she sprang to her
feet and said in a fierce, intense whis-
per:
''His grave. his grave! Have you
seen it?"
'His grave? Whose grave, dear?
Be calm"
1t came to me at once, seeing this
creature and hearing her questions.
l knew only too well that the dis
honored grave of Crayle Brau-Wylleen
in the old, disused, desolate cemetery
near Weir Heights was the one to
which she referred, but I caressed
the slight shrinking form and waited.
''Crayle Brau-Wylleen's." she an
swered me, hoarsely. and then sh e
broke into torrent of sobs and tears.
Presently she grew calm. He
never did it!' she said, firmly. 1T
was all false, bitter lie He made
me jealous, and l vowed revenge. l
wrote those cruel letters and
sprinkled the blood of a favorite
hound (whose life took) about my
bed and over the floor and door
steps" She shrieked and groaned
and continued: They thought he
murdered his young wife; but no. she
lived to see him hanged. All! re-
venge was SWEET She uttered a |
low, blood-curdling laugh that chilled |
the marrow in my bones. Rising, II
hastily thrust her from me.
Don't, don't!' she moaned, pite- |
ously. IF you only knew what
have suffered. how I have atoned."
Then raising her dark eyes heaven
ward, Even such as He forgives."
f4 T.