The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-06

at my heart, wishing could ask
cousin Abbie all about it. but l was re-
luctant to do so, knowing herdislike 70 such,
subjects. That was the last peaceful, hap
Ply day passed under Daleside roof. We
were having bright. moonlight nights; the
day in close schOOl-rOOm it was my great
delight to spend half an hour in the large
back yard. playing around with little girl
cousin Abbie allowed me to keep to attend
went out into the yard, as usual, leaving
the servants and hOusekeeper in the dining
room and cousin Abbie sitting by small
table IN our apartment reading the daily
papers fresh from the office an hour before.
My talk with Kate and her remarks had
impressed my. timid mind deeply: wished
she had explained to me why the house was
said to be haunted, and in what shape or
form the mysterious presence showed itself.
! felt d0wn-hearted and III little humor for
fun. While ! sat on the doorstep musing
ON these things a stray cat leisureiy
marched across the yard. Instantly my
mood changed, and l bounced up and ran
full-tilt in pursuit, Jane following closely
ing, we threw ourselves, breathless and
laughing, at full length on the dry grass
to rest. We were facing the windows in
the back part of the house. They had been
opened and the blinds thrown back to adj
NIT fresh air. In the light of the full moon
surrounding objects were perfectly visible.
Lying on my back my arms under my head,
j cast my eyes careleSSly up to the row of
windows. My gaze was instantly trans
fixed to the one above the room occupied by
cousin Abbie and myself. / am now an old
woman yet have never forgotten that
sight! Half resting OH the windOwsill was
the figure of tiny infant with lOveliest
features my eyes have ever beheld! Lean
against its folded hands; dainty finger tips
touched lightly together as if in prayer.
Soft curls of hair, a forehead like a lily-bnd
brown eyes, large and clear Over all fell
and shimmered a hazy veil, white and misty
as a spiders web, sOftening but not conceal
ing the exquisite outlines. l thought cf the
angels of God; no emotion of fear possessed
Inc. How long / gazed in silence l know
not. l was aroused by Jane screaming,
''Oh! Miss Iva, Miss Iva, look! The baby
the baby iii the Window
looked hurridly around at Jane. who
had hidden her face in the grass, and
when i turned back the baby was
gone. l helped the terrified JaI.e to
seen an evil" / was so bewildered
/ felt only half conscious, OF as one walk
ing in his sleep. We returned to the house.
Going straight to our room, said: Cousin
"A what?" she said, laying her paper
down and looking up in wonder.
"a baby" i repeated. Il have just seen
it lying in the window, Just So Jane
saw it, too; didn't you Janef'
Yes s-u-u-m," stammered Jane, still too
scared to speak plainly.
Cousin Abbie can we gO-Oh! what is
the matter9" She had risen from her
chair and stood tOttering on the floor,
one hand on the table, the other pressed
on her head. Every fieck of color
had left her face and the very grayness of
death was upon it. She seemed about to
faint. l ran to her. putting my arm round
her. She slowly recovered herself and re-
sumed her seat. Frightened enough now,
i stood silently by, waiting for her to say
something After few moments, she said
to Jane: go home now, and on your way
out stop by Manda's room and send her to
me.n While waiting for Manda, cousin
Abbie sat as if thinking deeply; on the
wOman's entrance, she requested her to send
the servants out and shut up the house, Civ
ing as her reason q headache and nervous
ness
MAY go with Manda, cousini" ask
ed.
mo, DEAR" she said, kindly. We sat in
perfect silence until all the footsteps had
died away and the key was turned in
its lock. Then she made me bring my chair
closer to her and, taking my hand between
hers. stroking it softly up and down, she
began: Iva, my child, l have tried
to keep from you all information concern
ing the strange sight you have seen. You
could not get the true story from any lips
save mine, and while you were so young
thought best to wait until events forced an
explanation, as they do tonight. / cannot
make clear to you the mystery surrounding
this house, but / can tell You the secret
which has been kept in our family since my
grandfather's days. You need not shiver
with dread, it is not very terrible: only a
few sad facts, which can soon relate. You
have already seen more to alarm you than