The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-25
CHAPTER VII (CoNrINUED).

clearly in the brilliant moonlight the
regular features and straight black
brows of Lucy. Trembling in every
limb. cling to Harry with both hands,
and every sense is for the time sharp
ened.
Jack stands gazing at the apparition
for some moments in silence; then he
stretches out his arms over the railing
that divides them, and says, in a brok-
ell imprisoned voice
Lucy, my own, my Lore
For some time there is no answer:
then, in clear cold tones, frigid as the
moonlight. hear the words
Jack, restrain yourself! You must
not try to touch. Why will you Of
fend9"
How can l see you standing there
without longing to touch and comfort
you?'
Comfort me"'-slowly and s.orn-
fully. Il do not want comfort: am
happy"
Happy. and without me?n pleads
Jack, bending far over the railing as
he speaks.
Yes. Why not9 My peace is per-
feet"
And Is cries John wildly only
long to join you, Lucy; and yet, my
love, dare not! The mystery of life
is as nothing compared with the
mystery of death"
"And yet" say the calm lips, with a
wan cruel smile, ''you sent me to my
DOOM
NO, no." cries Jack, whilst / see
his tall form literally writhing in his
agony-s'not so, Lucy! would have
died thousand deaths to save you"
Idle words" answers the figure,
with slow and unbelieving shake of
the head-'.idle wordsm
mot idle words!' protests Jack; and
| hear no more of his denial, for at this
moment the interview Is suddenly cut
short by Harry, who, after first giving
my hand piemonitcry squeeze, dis
charges his pistol in the air; two sec.
onds later Robin sets Nell at liberty.
For time | close my eyes, expect
ing some awful judgment to follow
their temerity. SO fully do l believe in
the spiritualistic apparition; when l
reopen them a strange sight meets my
view. In the foreground John, look
ing wild and dazel. leans for support
against tree, while across the mead
ow speeds the cloud-like figure, closely
followed by Nell, Robin, and Harry.
The apparitton has had fair start,
but the race is in the opel. There is
absolutely no coTer nearer than the
belt of trees which shade the pond.
Gradually, but surely, Nell gains on
her prey, till, with a sound half snarl.
half bark, she seizes the flowing dap
cry in her strong teeth; at the same
time Harry's voice rings out clear on
the night air.
''Stand, or I fret"
The challenge IL superfiuous; for,
even as he speaks, the swift-footed
figure trips ever d lodss stons, and
fallp cruinpied mass on the short
grass.
'Come!" I say, placing my hand on
my brothers arm,
Like one in dream he allows me
to guide him through o gap In the
ratings and acress the meadow tn the
spot where Harry and Robin are bend
ng over the PROSTATE figure.
'.She must be dead" Robin is say
ing as we approach; for the white
heap is making no effort to rise.
mot bit Of it, responds Harry,
who is knee1ing on the ground, and
whose hand Is placed over the region
OF her heart. "Her pulse Is going
about ninety to the dozen, and no
wonder after that spin!''
Still the figure lies there With It's
face pressed on the sod, but for its
rapid, heavy respirations inanimate.
Come on!' cries Harry, as We
slowly approach. '.Your spirit is
very much real, Jack, and very much
out of breath"
who can it be-" | ask vaguely, |
looking down at the heap at my feet.
go away, all of you, and leave me
alone!" murmurs a low stifled voice.
Certainly not, until we have made |
your acquaintance and ascertained
that you are uninjured by your fall"
answers Harry politely.
..Cofae how, be- sensible and get up; |
you can't lie there forever" reasons |
Robin, as she bends down and presses
an assuring hand on the passive
shoulder.
There is O short consideration, and
then the figure makes an effort to
rise. As she does so however,a sharp
Of pain escapes her. and,
but for Harry's ready arm, she would
have fallen again.
'Oh, my foot--rny foot" she MUIR
nurs, and then apparently becomes
As her head falls back inertly on
Har,y's shoulder, step forward and
yazc earnestly at the upturned feat
lres; they are those OF Lucy's step sis
ter.
ut is Alice. What can have in
luced her to play such tricke" ex-
claim.
ut is not much odds what induced
her. interrupts Harry; '.the present
question is-what are We to do with
ner?n
II suppose we must take her home.n
RurDest vaUualv