The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-01-14
A MIDNIGHT QUEST.
ny ISABEL HOLMES.

"You haven't the courage" she as.
serted.
Haven't IL" retorted Cleo Curry
mockingly. ~ inherit courage and
there isn't a jot or title of superstition
in my nature"
''What's that you're disputin' about,
girlsl" queried Uncle Zeke from the
chimney corner.
'I say" responded Cleo, "that !
wouldn't be afraid to go down to the
old Wiley house at midnight, st. Valen-
tines eve and walk down cellar back
ward with looking glass and candle
Expecting to see the face of her
future husband" interpolated Sue. 81
should expect to see old Willey's ghost
peering over my shoulder"
"Tm not anxious to see the face OF
my future husband" Cleo retorted sharp.
ly, 81 only want to prove my courage, to
celebrate st. Valentines Day in approved
fashion,"
''I'll wager ten dollars you das'n 90, "
remarked Uncle zeke.
"Tll stake my amethyst ring that ]
dare. Here's my hand"
The soft white palm and the brown
knotted one clasped as a step was heard
coming through the back shed.
"You must fetch one o. them mangel
wurzels in the the bar'l side O. the potato
ben, SOS we'll know you went clear
down cellar" said Uncle Zeke.
''Not a word of this" Cleo cautioned
in a whisper as they heard a hand fun
bling for the latch in the little dark en-
try.
"Capt'n Luke" said Uncle Zeke, with
SLY glance at Cleo.
The next moment young man opened
the door. 1t was quite the custom in
this Cape Cod town to omit the cere.
mony of knocking.
"Here's chair next to me, ,"'said Sue
with the freedom of long acquaintance
ship.
Cleo and Capt'n Luke exchanged q
formal good evening as he seated him
self.
"Had quite fall o. snow," suggested
Uncle Zeke.
''Yes, good sleighing," said Capt'n
Luke.
An impressive element seemed to have
entered the room with this good looking
young captain. The usual witticisms
did not flash around. Cleo was absorbed
in the long strip of worsted that made
a crimson line down her white apron.
She tidgeted in her seat and proposed a
game of euchre.
Uncle Zeke and Cleo were partnerS.
"We1l beat them every time, won't
we, Sue2" said Capt'n Luke, with a shade
of quiet defiance, as he swept in the first
tricks with steady hand, meeting Cleo's
eyes with a cool glance, which she re-
turned in kind.
Cleo's mind was running upon that
sleigh ride with Capt'n Luke the last
evening. He had come perilously near
to proposal of marriage. Had she been
wise or foolish to ward 1t off so indiffer-
ently9 His manner made her slightly
uneasy. Pshaw! What did she care
anyhowl She knew she had flirted with
him little-this Cape Cod town was so
poky in the wiHter-but that was no ex-
cuse for his presuming to think she
would marry him.
When her fathers reverses came she
had been sent there to spend a few
weeks with these relatives, of whose ex-
istence she had been scarcely aware be-
fore. They had welcomed her with open
arms and she had found much diversion
among them.
1t was not pleasant to be almost ig-
nored tonight by Capt'n Luke. She
thought of the wealthy suitor she had
left behind in the city, albeit old and
ugly, and was half inclined to write that
very night and accept him.
The eve of St. Valentine was mild for
the season. Shortly before midnight a
woman in dark garb issued from Uncle
zeke's shed door and walked off toward
the old Wiley house.
Since the death of its owner three
years ago, Uncle Zeke had held the Will
ley place in conjunction with his own and
had garnered the not abundant crops in
its cellar. Cleo had taken the key to the
house, which hung near the shed door,
unaware that her sly uncle had slipped
out and fumbled for the key, 20 assure
himself that she was playing no tricks on
him.
Cleo gained the brow of the Hill that
sloped towards the shore, crossed a plank
over what had been/a brook in summer,
climbed a low fence and reached the
water. The tide Tapped the shore gently,
the sea a-brecze kissed her cheek. Two
or three sl1iffs were rocking lightly upon
the water, upon which the moon shone
fitfully.
Cleo took the path to the left, where the
OLD Wiley house stood dark and lone,
and stood upon the fiat stone before the
low red door.
The windows were all boarded. Cleo
had explored the place with daylight aud
knew all its hooks and corners.
She unlocked the door and stepped