The Forrest City times., 1890-01-18

A prayer breathe, "Oh, God. relieve
 The wretched poor to-nightln GHOST OF VALLEYTHORpE.
 "Well, think it's pretty good sale" said Mir. Moneypenny, rubbing his hands, ''very good considering the dull state of the real estate market and the bad condition that Valley thorpe has fallen into"
 Have you sold itP" said Diana Dart suddenly dropping her needles and turning pale.
 "Yes, I've sold it." said Mir, Money penny. "for S1s.00o.
 But it was mine" sad Diana. "Old Mr. Thorpe gave it to my mother in reward for the care she took of him in his last days"
 "Yes. 1 know-I know" said Mir. Moneypenny, soothingly, as if he were speaking to q fractious child. But, you see. you n't prove it. There ain { no papers later than the old will of 1880, and that leaves every thing to Rufus Milner. And it ain't yours or his'n now. It's Chartlev Fountaine's.
 Fl hate Chartley Fountaine," said Diana, with an oblique flash out of her superb Andalusian eyes "He is al- ways crossing my path.
 "0h, come. now. don't be uureason- able." said Mir. Money penny. 'Fon- taine's good fellow as ever was. It ain't no ways to his dist:redit that he l,ap ,it,x h if "
 Diana Dart made no reply. She went on sewing with dark frown outlining her level black brows.
 Mr, Moncypenny furti vely observed her as he ate his dinner.
 I'm almost sorry" thought he. that Mrs. Moneypenny hired that girl 10 sew for her by the month. She's right smart with the needle to be sure; i; but she's got that gypsy way with her that nobody ever knows what she'll do or say next. Anyhow. I'll be glad when her time's up"
 Diana"
 The sun had just disappeared behind the purple spurs of the Berkshire hills. Diana. at last released from the drudg- cry of the needle. was standing under the fragrant silver green blossoms Of the grape vines. watching the slender curve of tho new moon above her he q. She started at the sound of Charley Fontaino voice.
 What Is itpn
 "I want to speak to you. Diana"
 "fou can't have anything To say to mer'
 But I have. A great deal I've bought the old place. Dianal"
 You have bought it-yes. But who hal any right to sell 1t to you2 It's mine. Mine by inheritance from my mother.
 ''lt shall ba yours. Diana, you will marry me" he pleaded.
 'l won't marry any man who is an imposterr'
 Charley Fontatn winced littla at this extremely plain speech.
 If l had not become the purchaser. Diana. said he, some ono else would. And il was for you. dear"
 Diana imprisoned her red lips firmly between her white teeth.
 "I decline altogether to receive il. ]" said she. What, receive my own at tho hands of any man alive? I've foo much pride for that It is mino, IL was my mothers before me,
 You cannot prove it., t" he urged
 '''l ruth ought to need no proofs"
 There k no uso in talking" said Foutaiue, n little impatieutly. What I want to know is will you marry me-"
 No Diana promptly answered. Not as portonless begger.
 "Diaua"
 Il mean il" said she; and so they parted certainly not enemies. but not quite friends
 Charley fontain took possession of the old Vaileythrope mansion with deal less pride aud happiness than he had expected and, instead of the beau- tiful young wife upon whose presence he had counted. old Aunt Valencia came to keep house for him--a fnntast- ic wincing little parsonage, with n r. year-old head apon n To-year-old pair of shoulders Il combination which Is by no means So rare m this world as one would think. She was at once rheu- matic and romaiic. sensible aud super stitous.
 Such dear old place. Chartw said sho, IS she followed her nephew through the halls and corridors, her skirts held daintily up. her eye-g -glassod orhs giancing here and there like those of an elderly sparrow.
 Only little stutfy though, isn't itp By the way, whats this story that very respectable woman, the house. keeper. tells me about a counterclaim set up by one Miss Dart to this proper tyg"
 Chartlcy listlessly explained the com- plicatiou.
 What nonsense. chirped Aunt Va lepeia-
 ''she believes firmly in 1t said her nephew.
 .'Rut she can't prove it!n
 No. She has only had her mothers word for il. snd Mrs. Dart wasn't al- together right in her bead at tho time of her death. It k more than likely that the whole thing was delusion on part"
 What nonsensem again repeated AuntN Naleneia Chart. dear. did you ever hear that this house was-haunt- ed"
 No. aunt"
 dts the very place for a ghost" twittered the sparrow-lise old lady. This delightful corridor here. with the suspicious stains on the staircasc-- that lovely vestibulo with the colored glass skylight, And oh, Chart. look out of this window. Do you sec those white mists floating up from tho lanurum walk down there? Exactly like gliding, formless ghosts. Cook tells me they come up every night. from that very spot where the sun goes down Do you think, Chart. that murder could possibly have beon com mitted there?"
 'l think. Charley Fontaine absent ly answered. that the drainage of the place must be horribly bad, and we