The national leader., 1889-03-30

baked bread. And thought likely
your crackers would be out by
this time
They is. ma'am,' said Betsey Balm
ford, giving my skirt an admonitory
pull. -,
1 frowned.
1T seems to me- said I, shat we ara
eating more cracker than usual. There
are only two of u.s.
Betsey shrugged her shoulders.
Two must eat said she, 'as well as
two-and-twenty.'
And she went back into the kitchen.
Hired helpP Sort o'sot in her ways,
said Mrs. Smith, 'ain't she?'
She is very good, faithful servant
said 1, referring to my list of articles
needed.
How dye like it herep' questioned
Abigail, as she measured out a modi-
cum Of condensed milk.
Very WE'LL 1 responded, secretly
wondering how many times 1 had al
ready answered this question.
'Hain't seen nothin' queer bout the
place. hev yep
'Queer?' I repeated. What should
I see-queerP'
Abigail Smith craned her neck to
look beyond me into the long, VAIN
scoted entry.
Hired help can't hear me, can shep'
whispered she mysteriously.
What do you mean?'
wal, 1t was a sister-in-law o'mine
lived here. ten year ago. said Abigail,
with the self-satisfied air of one who
has "a tale to unfold 'as told me there
was strange sights and sounds. Hain't
the hired help said nothin' to you about
itP'
NO.
It's Just as well, mebbe.' said Abb
gail. gathering up her reins and pre-
pairing to drive on.
I stopped her with an imperative
gesture.
stop, said I. Il Insist on an ex-
planation. There must be some mean
Ing TO your words. What is it?'
'Old Miles Moneygale built the
house, said Abigail Smith. He and
his wife was dreadful queer folks.
They had little niece lived with 'em
as people said had money OF her own-a
likely child with long, yellow hair and
the prettiest complexion you ever seen.
One night they found her dead at the
foot of the cellar steps. Miles Money
gale was the heir. and they sold the
house and moved out West, and lived
Ike rich people arter that. But folks
allays lcerlated-mind, though. there
wasn't no proof Of it-that there was
foul play; that that child never came to
her end by fair means. And every
family that's lived here sence they've
seen little child, where there want
nothin' but sea and sky. And they've
been most sure they heard child's
voice cryin' out, down CELLAR
I felt myself growing chill all over,
but somehow contrived to utter the
word:
'Nonsense'
'That's what I tell 'em.' said abb
gail, the wife OF Peter. How could it
be2 But, all the same, that's one rea-
son it amt been easy to sell the place.
1 wouldn't let the hired help know If I
was you. They're dreadful apt to be
superstitious, hired help is. Nothing
more today Wal, good mornin'!'
And shaking the reins above the
drowsy pony's back, she drove away,
leaving me standing there on the thres-
hold In a sort of maze.
Of course 1t was nonsense-supersti-
tion-the outcome of foolish nursery
tales; but for all that, it made me feel
uncomfortable.
However, In the intense morning
sunshine, managed to laugh it away.
When the night came on, dark and
loaded with the omlnous murmurings
of a coming storm, things assumed
quite different aspect.
was half sorry that I had bought
the cottage. began to wonder whether
it would be possible to dispose of it
without any actual loss. And-this Is
the strangest of alias I sat there 1
heard the unmistakable sound Of q
child's half-smothered laugh.
Il will not endure this!' I cried,
starting with nervous energy to my
feet. I'll 60 and sit with Betsey in the
kitchen frsr.'
The door leading into the kitchen
was fastened. but the bolt was old and
rusted, and gave way instantly before
the pressure of my hand.