The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-07-10

49,. - "f@ 20 ItLrtWJrk.
but could 1 work in 4 p-,u,ine n.
nee Some one told &c ,aont hi.
n"nsf' and ] raiablcd though The
grounds one day II was sll ~ COO,
ana re1tfnl ! longed 10 stay. cot
int" The house. and. while wandered
through the rooms = terrible tempest
came up.
~ had 70 stay. indeed I did. Sir: and
slept sweetly in room in the upper
story
IL must have been my evil genius
that prompted me 70 stay. thought il
could do You no harm. and me. OH. so
much good 70 spend few quiet months
10 this great empty house.
II cook my food with spirit-lamp
! have not taken anything. truly. sir:
but know it was very wrong. keen
light burning all night. and people
say the house Is haunted II is-by me.
Then only so cut a. dusk, and ALWAYS
ia white II ! need groceries start
before daybreak and walk 70 -
coming home after dark.
But will go al once. sir" nervouslv
ciasping and unclasping those tiny
hands.
4 great pity welled up in INV heart
Tor the childish creature. We're the
spells Of woman beginning 70 cast
their glamors overme. Frank Linwood.
sober-mindcd lawyer that wase
Ny father never turned dog away
from his door hungry and cold. Mine
was not charitable heart, but knew
the law Of kindness.
You must not 60 tonight. > / said.
and we kept our strange vigil through
all the long summer night. for one Of
those sharp, fierce tempests that 50
often follow a snltry day was rising.
Elinding flashes of lightning made the
girl cover her eyes with her hands. and
the heavy thunder shook the house.
A heavy clap Of thunder and q sharp
flash brought Us both to our feet Ellen
Blaine. as she told me her name. began
70 sob with terror. and l soothed her
like child. The touch Of her hand
stirred my sluggish blood. and felt the
silky feel Of her fine hair for hours az
ter if silken braids brushed my cheek.
MY plans were quickly made
Have You no friend or elderly rcla-
tive who can come here and stay with
You? II 80 l will pay you monthly
sum to keep the house open and to put
i in such order as would please my
mother il she were alive
DO you mean ito with sharp look
on the childish face. suspicious look.
thought
Certainly; j. is not proper you should
stay here alone. l shall board at a
friends during my visit but I would
like to keep the house open while
stay"
A hot flush burned on her checks
feared ! had wounded her pride.
You win do me q favor. Miss
Blaine"
"You are very kind will stay il an
old aunt Of mine will come out to chap
eronc me-" archly.
wonder now that l did such a
quixotic thing. ! must have been fas-
cinated by her beauty, and the influ-
ence Of my surroundings made me soft
hearted
breal<fastcd 1t Mr.. Lees and bore
his raillery very well when told him
had leased the house to = middle-aged
lady and her niece for the season
In due time Mrk and Miss Blaine
took possession and ncighbors began TO
call on them. 1t was very pleasant to
have the house occupied ! was q fire.
quent caller. and on one occasion sur
prised Ellen. or Nellie. a. learned TO
h..~ ...s.I ~
do you play?" asked in some sur
prise.
A brilliant movement. followed by .
soft accompaniment and a bird-like
song. was her response. She enjoyed
INV astonishment: music was my moth
er's passion. I almost dislikci to have
anyone use her instrument but con-
quercd the feeling and sent to the
city for piano tuner. 1t was really
fine instrument and Nellie quite per-
former. 50 spent many evenings. with
Mrs. Blaine nuiding in ner chair. listen
ing to her simple songs or gay fanta-
sizes
She was mistress of the violin and
showed an almost childish joy when |
brought one. that had been mine. from
some hidden recess l have heard many
masters handle the bow but never one
who could draw such touching and
thrilling strains from the instrument
Mrs. Blaincs small eyes would open.
for she spent the most Of her time
sleeping. when Nellie struck the first
chords There was something about the
woman that always repelled me. and
the way she looked at me from her
half-closed eyes really made me ncrv-
GUS She wore wig Of that peculiar
fade l. reddish brown which wig-wear-
ing ladies' 50 much affect, and her man
ners were rather coarse.
As deeply as was in love with her
niece. rccoilcd from becoming con-
nectcd with that lady BY marriage
The grounds at the rear Of the house
sloped down TO a river. flowing broad
and free. and ! soon had gay little
boat for my use on long afternoons or
sweet. still evenings With Nellie OPP
posite me. Il was my delight 70 row for
hours. or. resting on my oars in some
shady cove, 70 idle the hours away
Teasing my eyes on that lovely face
and gazing into the depths Of those
dark. bcwildering eyes
Although slightly hoydenish. Miss
Nellie was always dressed in exquisite
taste. SOFT. flowing robes Of white. or
fluffy RULED gowns as dei;sately pink
As the heart Of rose. vaguely
wondered at the variety Of costume
which her slender means allowed her.