The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-10-09
MRS. SHEERS GHOST.
A Plot Which Was Not Entirely
Successful

bhC "ays ShC was ooP
tised Clarita, only her mother chose to
Yanl<eefy twas n very pretty girl
\ smart girl, too, and quick one.
And that is why she was always
busy ut home or in other peoples
houses at the trade by which she
earned her living. besides dressing her
could outdo her. How she got the lat
est styles out there at Cross Sticks no
one could think; but she did it
No wonder that Will Sheers, who
kept the drug store in the village, fell
in love with her. 1t was for her sake
that he hired to her mother-a praisc-
worthy widow, fond of telling the story
of her husbands failure to anyone
who would listen-n wing of the build
ing in which he kept his store. snug
little affair of three rooms, for which
he had no use. being 4 bachelor.
The rooms directly over the store,
which were large and handsome, re-
manned vacant, which led the village
to suppose that the young druggist in
tended to marry shortly.
When Mrs. Mum had moved into the
little end wing it was but step from
the store door to the widows fiat door
time there, especially in the evening.
and people had begun to say that it
was splendid thing for Clarity"
when the two Misses Shepherd came
to board with Mrs. Finn. with whom
DIR. Shecrs boarded.
Mrs. Finn advertised for summer
boarders every year, under the halluci-
nation that Cross Sticks was ''the
nd oh oil oancvht 10 VIZ
victims, who sat on the porch and
famed away the mosquitoes, and took
walks to the post office, and went on
picnics to the frog pond in the sub
urbs, and looked at a very distant
mountain through field glasses, and
were otherwise as rural as possible.
Before they left in the fall the
youngest Miss Shepherd was engaged
to DR.. Sheers-
She was older than he She was
sharp of voice and elbows; but she had
inherited fortune from her grand
mother, and then, as Mrs. Finn said,
''she ran after him. and would hev him
whether he would or no."
Meanwhile Clarity went on dress
making and showed no signs of regret
ting her truant lover; and when Mrs
Mum proposed giving up the rooms
forbade her to do SO with the sternness
with which daughters do forbid their
mothers to carry out their own ideas in
this nineteenth century.
why, ma, every one would think
we felt cut up about it, said Clarity.
II do" said Mrs Mum; Il haven't
felt worse since your pa failed"
II don't care whom he marries, I'm
sure" said Clarity. And this is the
cheapest place, to be SO pretty, that we
can find"
One day from her window she saw
the bride and groom return to take
possession of their newly-furnished
rooms.
For awhile the bride and groom
seemed very comfortable. New plate
glass windows were put into the store,
and n wonderful soda water fountain
was introduced There was n looking
glass between the rows of boxes and \
portiere was hung at the door that
opened into the back room A little
carriage in which Mrs. SheerS drove
her sister 20 pay calls on her friends
added luster TO the establishment
Suddenly cloud arose. Mrs Sheers
was i'll There was a consultation.
the door. The doctor was a widower.
However, the day after the anniver-
sary of his wife's funeral DIR. Sheers
assumed a light hat, had his hair cut
and his mustache waxed. put rose in
his buttonhole and called on Clarity
Mum. Shortly afterward these two
were openly engaged to be married.
AID again things seemed to be going
ut
ing" when people began to notice that
Clarity was pale, that she was growing
thin, that she cried over her work. and
at last there was rumor that she in
tended to .'break" with DIR. Sheers-
They're talking of it all over Cross
Sticks, Clarity" Mrs. Mum said, land
you do look most miserable. What is
the matter?"
Its dreadful" said Clarity. Hes
fond of me and l am of him, and you'd
be so comfortable. He promises every
thing, and my heart is broken, but
dare not marry him; oh, | dare not.'
and her eyes grew solemn and she
looked over her shoulder.
''Why?" gasped the widow.
"She haunts me-his first wife, you
know" said Clarity; .'and says she'll
kill me on my wedding day. Oh, am
not crazy, MAJ
I'm not afraid of ghosts" said Mrs
Mum. Il thought you had more spirit.
Why, before you pa failed l found n
burglar in my room robbing my Jewell
box, and / collared him. / thought
you took after me and had some spirit,
Clarity"
fou cannot collar ghost" sobbed
Clarity.