Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-05-21

place. nave 70 90. out tonight 20
make arrangements for il, as the funeral
is to take place tomorrow. did not
have a chance to 60 out to-day. shall
leave on the nine o'clock train this even
ing, and return on the very earliest
train In the morning. probably soon
after daylight. OF course during my
absence the ladies next door would be
alone, excepting for the two negro
women-servants. Now, what want to
know is, will you go Ia there when
leave and stay until come back2"
The man appeared grieyed and per-
turbed by all he had gone through,
and although did not fancy his APP
pearance nor manner, was very much
interested aud distressed by what he
had told me, and felt that / would like
to help him, TO say nothing of those
two poor, lonely women. When agreed
to remain with them during his absence
Persons face beamed with gratitude,
and he thanked me again and again.
After he had gone went to dinner,
and there thought over the strange story
l had heard, aud with which had be-
come in sort of way identified.
must confess half regretted having
consented to the arrangement for re-
manning in the house during Persons
absence. but at the same time re-
preached myself for the feeling.
About a quarter to eight Pierson re-
turned, and I Immediately went with
him to the house next door. On
the way over there he suddenly in
formed me of what had suspected be-
fore, viz, that he was engaged to be
married to Miss Cooper. One Of the
colored servants let us in, and we
walked into the middle room on the first
floor, where Pferson left me, saying that
he would go upstairs and ask Miss
Cooper to come down. In few mo-
ments he returned with her, and was
greatly surprised and pleased with her
appearance. She was very fair, with
reddish gold hair, aud beautiful eyes of
a most peculiar color.
Pierson introduced us. Smiling
sweetly, she said "How very kind, in
deed, of You, Mr.. Barton, to take pity
on us in our trouble and come over in
this way to help us. | assure you no
one can appreciate, until they have ex-
perienced it, what it is for two women
to be left alone at time like this"
Her manner and appearance were both
charming, and her smile fascinating.
But glance about me rather chilled my
admiration. The room we were sitting
in was the middle room on the first floor,
and the house was evidently three rooms
deep. Thae were folding doors, which
were closed, opening into a room in the
rear-probably the dining -room-and
there were also folding doors leading into
the front room. These last were NOT
closed, but stood slightly open, suffici-
emily so as to reveal a dark, silent room
within.
think Miss Cooper noticed my wan
dering chances, for she presently said,
with rather odd smile: 81 am sorry,
Mr. Barton, that we cannot put you into a
more cheerful room, but we thought this
the most comfortable under the circum-
stances. The dining-room in the back
is small and very dark. The front room
is, of course" she hesitated, but pres
emily resumed: THE poor, mutlated
fellow was carried there, and the coro-
ner's inquest was held there, too. We
have left him there after making oil the
necessary arrangements. My sister and
/" continued the young lady, ''are on
the floor above. Sister is in such state
of nervousness that the least sound
throws her into Mysteries, so am obliged
to stay on that floor alone with her, and
only allow the servants to pass up and
down stairs IS noiselessly as possible"
Az this point Pierson broke in with
brusque remark that he wished TO say
few words to me before he went away,
and, excusing herself to me, the lady left
Al ~ 4. Il,
said, with n short laugh:
81 dare say, Mr.. Barton, that Clara's
apparent GOODNESS over poor Lamottes
death seems little strange to you, but
the fact is, Lamotte was a queer, discon
tented sort of fellow, and don't think
his wife had any too pleasant life with
him, and to Clara his conduct was simply
unbearable at times. She only put up
up with him for her sisters sake"
felt somewhat displeased with this
disclosure, although could not tell ex
actly why.
Pierson talked little further in the
same strain until Miss Cooper returned,
followed by a colored woman carrying a
tray, with the contents of which the
young lady brewed what she called San
old-fashioned Mobile punch" cooling,
soothing, and invigorating.
We refreshed ourselves, and then Pier
son babe me good bye, thanking me over
and over again for helping him out of
his difficulties, and saying he would re-
turn at the earliest possible moment in
the morning. Miss Cooper followed him
to the door. When she returned we fell
into desultory sort of conversation,
during which | found her even more
fascinating than she had seemed at
first.
Suddenly rising, she said IL must
leave you alone now, Mr. Barton, and go
to my sister. leave the punch for you
to finish, aud you will find some books
on the table in the corner, and some
cigars; make yourself as comfortable as
you can"
finished the punch, took up one of
the books from the table, and lighting a
cigar, began to read. But the punch
must have been stronger than thought.
A feeling of contented languor began to
steal over me, and was conscious of
falling into doze, when, close beside
me, heard low, deep groan.
l wasaroused in q moment, and looked
about me, startled. The room was
bright with the lamp-light, and was
alone.
For few moments l sat perfectly
still and reasoned with myself as to the
strange sound, striving to find an ex-
PLANTATION of it. certainly had heard it,
for was not sound asleep when it
aroused me. came to tho conclusion
that had been startled by that prelim-
mary snore which so often awakens one