The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-04-11

So crouching low on the lower steps OF
the great oaken staircase we wal1eo pa
tiently for some demonstration OF Sir Ru-
pert The hall lamps, which had not been
lighted since the dead master lay, so cold
and rigid, In the ad dioining room, were hght-
ed and, burning low, cast more of gloom
than cheerfuIness around us. The witch
ing hour approached; the shadows hung
heavily folded in the corners, and seemed
to cling to the moldering balustrade like
deuse curtains of Grape. Peggy was grow
ing uneasy, and, too nervous 10 converse,
sat shivering on the edge OF the steps,
white faced and alert TEh '
Ancil leaned against the polished railing
and listened with the air OF a martyr.
Doubtless they were both martyrs TO
foolish freak, and i, relenting, was on the
point Of saying ''quits," when something
arrested my attention. i was conscious OF
a stealthy movement in the corridor above,
and IL seemed 10 me fen, rather than he1Td,
the manifestation, If such an expression Is
allowable Peggy held her breath, and, put
ting her finger on her lip, signIfied: ISL
lence; hstenP
A sound as Of some one walking wearily
about with muffled step came TO our ears at
intervals, and 1 fancied Sir Rupert was
resting between marches This continued
for some time
Back and forth through the corridor
went the weary, painful march OF unseen
feet, with the moments of rest sandwiched
in at regular intervals
"a very methodical ghost" / said TO
Peggy. "HushI' she whispered, and shut
up ike clam
Then n weary sigh fioated down the long
staircase, and felt rather uncomfortable
10 think the plot was thickening so fast II
favor OF Sir Rupert
Surely my theory was in danger already
OF being exploded by the persistent spirit
But while we listened the manifestations
grew fainter and fainter, as II disgusted
with the fruitless tramp, tramp, and tse
sound of footsteps had died out altogether
when the soft, indistinct tread as of some
one in their stockinged feet was plainly
heard on the landing just above US and
fancied n sort of murmured whispering
seemed very near US
This was more than Peggy and Ancil had
contracted for and their preSipitate flight
was something wonderful to behold They
rushed from the foot of the staircase acrOss
TO the side entrance through which VT
came in; there they paused N the open
doorway. Peggy beckoniRg frantically fol
me TO follow. followed her, seeing thsr
such 4 terror had seized them And in
fact /. myself, began TO feel creepy anC
imagined / could hear the repentant con
fessiOn OF the hapless old man IN nv wake
regainsd my self-pOssssslOn and signInec
nv intention Of returning 10 the foot Of the
stlircase- Peggy demonstrated, and finally
said that II must jine hans with ths
spirit" why, / must go alone, a. she should
not return
IAN right, Peggy" said; wait for me
here, will youf'
'.An' faith Oi viii If the masthur don't bs
fur gittin' Arthur me too aIrnestly," she
replied, shIvering with fear and excitement
i was in for the whole manifestation, and
il should pause now from some slueamist
notion Of danger / should always regretmy
having done so.
The open passage-way made very colC
draught, connecting the outdoor current
OF raw night air with the one formed in the
stairway, and felt rather uncomfortable
so wrapping my loose cloak about my chilly
form retraced my steps, and leaning
against column midway Of the nall wait
ed further developments.
"Pshawp' said, feeling ashamed of oul
inglorlous retreat, and began taking myself
TO task, mentally, for so doing, when tins
indistinct footballs came on downstairs.
strained every nerve to catch every sound