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


sooner or later; and when wa,
twenty-two my parents died. almost a,
the same time.
In the first agony Of my grief closed
NV ancestral home. just Is II was. dis
missing the old servants and intrustinp
the keys 70 a valued friend Of my late
father. My bereavement gave me q
gloomy turn Of mind, and study wa,
NV only solace. Through all my col
lere days and preparation for the L; y
made few friends and never visited
The cear old home. hallowcd by 50
many tender recollcctions-
Five years at the bar, without any
home ties or outside pleasures. began
% prey upon my health: and in the
sumner Of lsS- my physician per
emptoriiy ordered me 10 rest
Most Of my classmates were married
but. as yet. had never seen woman
cared to spend an hour with since my
fair mother died.
Realizing that my physicians advice
was such as / ought to follow. my
thoughts turned TO the long-deserted
house in Farleigh, but two days jour.
ney from Boston.
arriv ed at dusk on a warm summer
evening. and. taking my gripsack in
hand. sought my old friend for the key
OF the silent house.
He greeted me with delight. and
urged me to remain with his family.
Years had silvercd has hair. but had not
cooled his regard for my fathers only
child.
II don't like ii at all. Frank" he
said. as took my departure. ~lou will
have the TYPOS in that house II
hasn't been aired. is damp; really. you
mutt not 60"
His earnestness was so impressive
that asked:
why? You must have some more
potent reason. Mr.. Lee"
With evident embarrassment. he an
swered:
II hear. unpleasant as it may be to
YOU. the house is said to he haunted:
lights are often seen. cleaning from
the windows. and"
Nonsense. don't believe in ghosts.
There is plenty OF fuel in the shed-or
| was II have matches Heat will con-
cuer the dampness. and a revolver will
cispel all the ghosts believe in Come
over in the morning and you will find
me all right. Good night
stood at the gate and looked up at
the great, rambling structure. All was
dark and still. not even breath Of
wind stirred the leaves Of the large
honey sucixle that climbed At its own
sweet will over one wing. The air was
avg with its rich perfume.
The kq& turned rustily I'm the loci.
and the/ door creakcd On its hinges- /
.csd 4 y moment like : guilty crea-
<re catered. and almost doubted
s',rcl iety of spending . night in .
oA.tIinld that had not been occupied for
OIL yeaks
Fhe ain was close but not IS damp
4 and mus,3 as / anticipated. and light
ing small lantern. with which had
provided myself. went in.
examined the hanging-lamp in the
hall, but found it destitute Ct oil, as
expected
One in the parlor was full and. to my
surprise, wick nor oil seemed candied
It, light illuminated the room and lent
homelikc glow to its appointments.
sought the library and soon had a
glowing fire in the crate. Little
| shivcrs ran down my hack and began
20 feel uncanny fears which rcsolute-
. ~ shook OF.
busted myself airing some bedding
BY the fire and improvising me couch
on the lounge Although sultry sum
mer's night. the fire was not uncom-
| Portable.
Reclining in the very easy chair
whore used TO nestle as q child. with
my feet on the furnished brass fender
and cigar between my lips tried to
feel at home
A slight noise in the room above
aroused me. and took my lantern and
explored the chambers.
Rats" said. as was about to de-
scend. when 1 again heard it: this time
knew IL was in the attic. could hear
footsteps. distinctly.
Secreting myself beneath the stairs
turned my lantern down and waited.
am no coward, but it was no pleas
ant sensation TO wait for those soft foot
falls 70 reach the lower stair. The
stairway was closed up in the old style
with door
hand was on the latch, graspcd
my revolver. The door opened. softly
and slowly. and turned on the full
light Of my lantern At the same time
pointing my pistol at--what?
Stand or fire,"I cried in : voice
that echoed through the long. dark hall.
feminine shrek ans wercd me, and
sform crouched down in the stairway.
What are you doing herc?" de-
handed, sternly.
No harm, sir" returned . musical
Voice and the form rose. revealing q
sight girl Of some eighteen years with
great startled eyes as soft and ~clvcty
- lawns. looking out from deli
ea'e' wild-rose face framed in masses
q golden hair.
Explain YOURSELF said, pointing
~ traveling-bag she carried. Are
There any others?"
'No;" with defiant CLEAN in those
wonderful eyes.
Tome downstairs then and tell me
ny yen come 70 be here"
She oocyed. and was soon quietly
sea'ed before my fire.
iol wonder. sir. how came here
= s'u house. " questioningly. I bowed
ssent Very well. will tell you.
- : poor working girl and this sum
vi ! was out Of employment The
ations Of the city are great to a