The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1889-05-02
THEY PROCEED TOGETHER.
HORRORS AGAIN


/ am decidedly tired of being
"chief cook and hottie washer" i"
as it were, and l am determined
to put an end to this ridiculous
and most uncomfortable state
of affairs, thinks Inez Gather
ton, as she brings the brush
down on her luxuriant hair with
an emphatic bang.
It is after eleven, and high
time that Miss lnez was think
ing Of her beauty sleep; but her
thoughts are too busily occupied
with her trials and trihulations
to admit of rest.
Mr.. Catherton has a mine in
B., which he has come to
superintend himself and he
has brought his wife and daugh-
ter with him, as they would not
bear Of his coming alone. I'm
fortunately they have rented a
house which, although undenia-
bly, picturesque, is said to be
haunted, and in consequence of
it's reputation they have found
it impossible to procure a ser
want. At the end Of a week
they are heartily tired of doing
their own work, and are begin
Mug to lose all relish for their
meals. 1t is no wonder that
Inez has resolved to see what
she can do to better matters.
off I wander over this house
between eleven and twelve eve
ry night, surely that will be
proof enough for any Of these
foolish girls that it is not haun-
ted; for there never was a ghost
that did not appear somewhere
around midnight" thinks Inez,
as she rises and lights d candle
on her bureau.
"Yes. l will do it! Aud after
two or three nights Of conscien-
tious search | will 60 after that
silly Kate Mahony, who is such
good cook, and 1 know she
will hesitate no longer about
coming"
Her eyes fall upon the mirror
before her, as she speaks, and
she smiles. Let us hope that it
will be the spirit of a young
man that you encounter, Miss
Inez," she continues, with a
laugh, "for, if I do say it, you
certainly have chosen, or chanced
upon, a very becoming costume,
and it would he pity to waste
it on a woman ghost"
She is right. A lovely pic
ture is reflected as she stands
with her soft hair falling in
waves below her waist, he1
cheeks flushed with excitement
and her bright, brown eyes shin.
ing from beneath a tangled mass
of curls half on and half off hel
forehead. She has on a trailing
white cashmere gown, that hall
defines the pretty curves of her
rounded figure. On he feet are
soft, red felt slippers.
FAREWELL" she adds, with q
little nod directed at the mirror
and now for the attic p'
Taking up her candle sh.
starts for the door. She glides
noislessly through the hall ani
up the broad staircase which
leads to the garret, big, barn
like room with trunks. boxes, dis
carded pictures, broken chairs
tumble-down sofas and all the
usual paraphernalia of an attic
scattered around. Upon thi
scene enters Inex, psering in ths
duskY corners where her ligh
does not penetrate. Slowly
carefully, she advances, her can
die held well in front of her
vainly endeavoring to keep he
eyes in all four corhers at once
in spite Of her disbelief in spir
itual manifestations.
| A board creeks. She start
violently, dropping a goodl7
amount of candle-grease on he
hand. Then, realizing it is onl,
a board, size smiles at her COW
ardice and proceeds on her wa,
to a fight of steps at the furth
er end of the attic, which lead
to the tower.
] Softly, for her slippers max
not the faintest sound, sh
!, mounts the stairs. She has bee
; up them before. 1t is q goo
, sized, square room, with a dol
mer window at one end. 1t wa
evidently a sitting room at on
} time, and as such is furnishe
quite nicely.