The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-07-09

rOr Will produce, which children cal
"goose-fesh" I could not have
spoken a word to save my soul fol
the object before me appeared to be 8
| human figure, formed Of some trans
parent, luminous substance, and was
more perfect ghost than is pleasant
to contemplate in a lonely spot at
nightfall.
| Almost instantly, however, saw
with a sudden flush OF Joy chat set
my blood in motion on the instant
that my terror had deceived me. 1t
was man who stood there, clad in
what seemed to be q white flannel
suit, and holding lantern over his
head.
"That is Miss Maisie?" said a voice
that was the voice OF a gentleman.
ooh, yesW said l. II am lost. ]
thought Ishould die. Oh, 1 am so
glad! so glad. Quiet Jackanapes!'
for the pony trembled more than
ever.
"rhe animal is afraid OF me-" said
the figure. "Can you dismount? I
dare not approach you otherwise, for
i'll do Jackanapes will run away and
perhaps dash you over the precipice.
/ will retire. Dismouut and 1 will re-
turn. Do not fear anything; I will
take care OF you" Ts '...
He was gone. Doubtless he only
shut the lantern, but he appeared to
vanish. Jackanapes ceased to shud-
der. left the saddle, though I was
hardly ableto move formy wet skirts,
and stood by his side. Instantly the
stranger was at mine. and as he reap.
peared my pony kicked up his heels
and dashed away up the road.
"Never fear; he will take care Of
himself" said the stranger, "Follow
me-"
He led the way. The darkness had
concealed from me the fact that was
very near a house. A wide door was
flung open; within saw deep hall
foored with oak, at the end of which a
fire roared in great chimney. was
seated in a huge chair, my garments
drying with curious rapidity. My host
stood near me-a handsome man with
his long, curling, golden hair and
beard, and sort of hunting dress Of
white flannel. He smiled on me, but
said nothing until I spoke.
'They will be frightened at home,"
said.
at will not be long," said he cold
ly.
81 am so thankful to you," I hasten
ed to add-"so very thankful"
He did not answer in any conven-
tiopal manner. His reply was this:
"You have good reason to be. A
death in the cold waters of the torrent
is not to be desired, nor is a. violent
death of any sort. Nature seems to
forbid it. Thank heaven for life, lit
tie girl"
And afterward, you," said I.
lie bowed gravely; then went towars
some great pieces offurniture on which
silver seemed to simmer in the fire.
light and brought thence a. goblet of
wine. $780,. .,..
"Drink," he said. ....' ........ :.
l drank. was warmed, comforted;
a sort OF dreamy delight stole over.
me. heard music; saw figures pass
to and tro; did not quite comprehend
what saw; a delicious slumber came
on the wings of the music and infold-
ed me. For awhile I was delightfully."-
conscious that l slept. Then Twas
obliterated.
Cries and shouts aroused me.
struggled to open my eyes. I heard
my name, 'Maisie! Maisie!' shouted
from affair. heard the clatter of hoofs.
'"There! There she is! There she isl"
in my uncle's voice. ...-.
l saw half dozen mounted riders
approaching over the fresh, sun-lit
slope OF a great hill, and I saw that
sat among ruins, close to the time
worn, weather-bleached wreck of an
old chimney, the high mantel of which
projected over my head. The roof of
the house was gone; only one wall re-
manned About me lay stones and
mortar, blackened wood and all the
tokens of a dwelling destroyed by fire
and abandoned for years to the ele-
ments. .....
There was no wide hall, no glowing
fire, no sideboard laden with silver,
no host attired in white to offer me
beakers OF wine; but I was dry, warm,
and comfortable, Notwithstanding.
My uncle burst into tears, clasped
me to his heart, and in doing so
changed his tune and lectured me for
losing myself. Jackanapes had come
home riderless. My Aunt thought
me dead on the road, and was i'll with
grief and terror. And how did I find
the ruins? And what a mercy that I
had not gone over the precipice near
by! SO they bore me home. And 1
kept my own counsel, and said not
one word OF my experience until our
kindly neighbors had been breakfasted
and gone their ways. Then related
it. - .s-.-
ut must have been delirium," I
said, "Yet it seemed so real.''
"My dear Maisie," said my uncle,
in Scotland we are astonished at
nothing. l have myself heard this
story before from four people who
were rescued in the same way,
and saw the same wrath and
the same restoration of those ruins
that you describe. My grandmother
a poor countrywoman with her babe
in her arms, Mrs. McLynn of the
Heights, and my sister Constance
have narrated the same adventure.
Everybody knows the haunted ruin,
but we have a special interest in it.
Long ago a handsome young man, by
name Alayap1ar McCoI ,yos ,olo -: