The Forrest City times., 1891-06-26

somehow that he has entered" | Poor Angela. trembling, hung over the cribs, trying to soothe the children. It was good while before they could tell what happened. She came again. ' said Hal and she came close. close to me, and she put her cold face down near my cheek till she touched me and 1 don't like her; oh, I don't like her. motherr
 Did she go to Jack and Lucy, toop'
 "'Yes, yes; and she made them cry <, as we'll
 Why do you not like her? Is it the black bonnetP You dreamed of a black bonnet last night, you know , said l half puzzled, half provoked.
 :" She's 80 frightful, cried Hal. "How could you see her? There was no candle.
 This question perplexed the little boys. They persisted that she had a light about her somewhere. I need l hardly say that there was no comfort for us the rest of the night. If any one is trying to frighten us out ot the place I'll be even with him yet, said My wife believed that trick had been played upon the children and she was most indignant
 Next day the cribs were removed to the upper story, and Charlotte and Joanna, our daughters of twelve and fourteen, were put to sleep in the dress ing-room. We predicted an end to the annoyance we had been suffering. The nurse was a quick tempered woman, who would not stand any nonsense, and Halls bad dreams would be sternly driven away. We settled ourselves to our comfortable light reading by the drawing room fire. Suddenly there was commotion overhead; an outcry surprised more than terrified, it sounded to us. Angela laid her book down quickly and listened with all her ears. Fast-Aying footsteps were heard above; the clapping of door; then scurry, scurry-the batter of bare feet down the staircase. We hurried across the hall, and saw Charlotte in her night-gown returning slowly up the kitchen stairs, with puzzled expres- sion on her honest face
 '' What on earth are you doing. childPn cried Angela.
 e I was giving chase to a hideous old woman in black bonnet, who chose to intrude upon us, panted Charlotte. I saw her in our room: I jumped out of bed and pursued her through your room and the sitting room. Then I saw her before me go ing dowstairs, and l ran after her. but the door at the foot of the kitchen staircase was shut. She certainly could not have had time to open it, and really don't know where she can have gone to-
 This was Charlotte's explanation of her mad scurry downstairs. Her downright sensible face was puzzled and angry.
 '' So you see the little ones must have been tormented by that old wretch. whoever she is. They didn't dream It, father, as you thought. Wouldn't I like to punish her.n
 What brave girlr' cried Mrs. Marchmont.
 ''Bravep Oh, Charlottes as bold as lion! She went back to bed; and when we followed her, in a couple of hours, she was sleeping soundly. But l can't say either of us slept so we'll. If trick was being played upon us. it was carried out in so clever manner as to batfie me completely. Ineed not say that I made careful search of |. house and offices; and if there was a secret passage or door in the wall | anywhere it escaped me- We had | peace for 8 fortnight and then the an- poyance recommended.
 "Angela's nerve was shaken at last, and she began to whisper, there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio-'"
 John, you are making story in- terrupted Mrs. Henniker
 'It IS every word true. 1 am com ing to an end. Angela, in spite of her disclaimer, did believe in a ghost in a black bonnet. Charlotte believed in | her, but did not care about her ghost | ship. The nurse and cook and house. maid declared they were meeting the | horrible appearance constantly; and l they were all three in a mortal funk. As to the children they would not leave off clinging to their mother and fretting and trembling when even- ing came. The milkman, the baker and the butcher all told the servants that we would not be long at the hall, for nobody ever remained more than a month or two This was cheerful and encouraging for me-"
 But you had never seen the chaming old woman all this time?'
 No; but I saw her in the broad daylight 1 had good look at her, and more diabolical face 1 never saw no, not even in the dock. 1 was writing a letter in the study about twelve o'clock one morning, when I suddenly looked up to see the appear ance that had excited such turmoil in my family standing near the table. A frightful face--a short-set woman dressed in black-gown, shawl. bonnet this was the impression I received. But she looked quite human-quite everyday-there was nothing ghostly in her air-only the evil face curdled one's blood. stared at her. and then took up a folded newspaper and threw it at her. My motive in so doing was to frighten her who had frightened my wife so much. Courtesy such a creature need not expect from me. k,,, ,,,