The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-05-23
MISS DALWELL'S GHOST.


Such perfect gem OF house as
papa secured for us that summerl
II hope Miss Dalwell will like H."
mamma said simply. stopping 20 lift a
trailing vine which lay across the
path.
Miss Martha Dalwcli was an ''old
maid" OF about 80 or 40 perhaps. A
more disagreeable. crotchety creature
than she never lived. and yet mamma
chung TO her as though she was the
pink OF perfection. That too. when
the woman had no earthly claim upon
her--no right 10 n seat at our table or
a shelter beneath Our roof. She had
the best OF everything. too; the best
room, the best bed. The best chamber
furniture. At the table the cream OF
the food found its way 20 her plate
the daintiest piece Of fowl and the most
luscious share OF the fruit
Everything that did or said which
did not accord with hcr ideas OF pro-
priety she made IL her special province
70 lecture me upon. She looked keen
~ after my love affairs. took note OF
the letters which came 20 me and was
forever following me about OF an even
ing with wraps and shawls.
III she would only hate the very
sight OF IL. mamma. so that she would
tako her traps off in the first train outr'
.Louisey'
She said IL just as reprovingly as
she could. dropping the vine as she
spoke.
was watching mamma put the fin
ishing touch 10 the tea table. when the
door-bell sounded IA peal long and loud
through the house.
1T must be Miss Dalwell. mamma
said going into the hall; "but ! never
knew her TO ring bell like that be-
FORE
Sure enough. there was Miss Dal-
well. shawls and travelling basket In
hand standing as white as II ghost.
'Oh. my dear Judith she began
on seeing my mother. and then sat
down on the veranda and began TO cry.
What has disturbed you so.
MarthaP" my mother said, in such a
beautifully cool way.
A sob was the answer.
w
mamma put coaxing arm about her
neck.
II got such fright!n my lady
answered at last gasping for breath.
Miss Dalwell frightened put my
handkerchief over my mouth 10 keep
from laughing outright.
just as ! stepped into the veranda,
she said IA man sprang right up in
front OF me. ! was looking for the
door-bell, when he placed big white
hand on the knob and rung-you know
just how hard he rung-and then
faded right out of my sight without
taking STEP And oh. Judith. he
had that ring on his middle fnger!"
''Hushl" my mother said laying
white hand upon her lips and giving
one quick glance backward 10 Phil and
me.
You arc nervous. Martha; probably
the driver touched the bell for you; or
81 might have been the gardener.
"Spcncel Has Spence white handsp
And does he wear "a diamond ring on
his middle fngcrP"
We'll never mind, dear; come in
tea Is waiting for you"
But Miss Dalvell was not inclined
10 bulge an inch. She turned her
startled iace full upon me and spoke in
such scared tremulous voice that /
began straightway TO pity her.
Dear Louise. won't you look the
place over. just 20 please mep You
are not afraid Of anything. are you?"
Nothing in the world, Miss Dali
well, ! answered. Spence and
will look around"
So, In spite Of my mothers warning
look, went straight TO the kitchen 10
find the gardener.
Come" | said. there's fun In
his. Miss Daiwell has seen "A ghost
Let's GO and hunt him upl"
We went out upon the gravel walks
together. Spcn,e and j. he trembling
NO that he couId but just step, and
most keenly alive for an adventure.
The moon was shining brightly. and
the shrubbcry and trees were not RULED
by breath OF air. | made straight
for the deepest shadows though 1
cannot TO this day tell why did so.
There was row OF trees standing
close against the wall by the farthest
one, In the extreme corner, / caught a
glimpse OF something white, or bright,
J could not tell which. but / went
directly 10 IL; poor. scared Spence and
the little house-dog Fido(who had vol
entered In my scrvice) keeping close
20 my heels.