The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-05-23
MISS DALWELL'S GHOST.

II hope Miss Dalwell Will like II, !"
mamma said simply, stopping to lift q
trailing vine which lay across the
path.
Miss Martha Dalwell was an "old
maid" OF about 38 or 40 perhaps. A
moro disagreeable, crotchety creature
than che never lived, and yet mamma
clupg 80 her as though she was the
pink OF perfection. That, too. when
tho woman had no earthly claim upon
hor--no right to a seat at our table or
q shelter beneath our roof. She had
tbe best OF everything, too; the best
room tho best bed, the best chamber
furniture. At tho table the cream Of
Che food found its way to her plate
tho daintiest piece OF fowl and the most
luscious share OF the fruit
Everything that did or said which
did not accord with her ideas OF pro-
priety she made 1t her special province
to lecture me upon. She looked keen-
" after my love affairs, took note OF
the letters which came to me and was
forever following me about Of an even
fng with wraps and shawls.
III she would only hate the very
dght OF it, mamma. 80 that she would
take hcr traps of in the first train outr'
.I,ouise!''
She said 1t just as reprovingly as
she could. dropping the vine as she
spoke.
was Watching mamma put the fin
ishing touch to the ten table. when the
door-bell sounded peal long and loud
through the house.
ut 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 Dali
well. shawls and travelling basket in
hand, standing as white as q ghost.
'.Oh. my dear Judith" sho began,
on seeing my mother, and then sat
down on the veranda aud began to cry.
~'What has disturbed you so,
Marthap" my mother said. in such a
beautifully cool way.
A sob was the answer.
what Is the matter, dearp"-and
mamma put coaxing arm about her
neck.
II got such a fright" my lady
answered at last gasping for breath.
Miss Dalwell frightened! put my
handkerchief over my mouth to keep
from laughing outright
'-Just as I stepped into the veranda, I"
she said, "a 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 finger!"
..Hush!" my mother said. laying q
white hand upon her lips and giving
one quick glance backward to Phil and
me.
You are nervous. Martha; probably
the driver touched the bell for you; or
IL might have been the gardener.
.Spence! Has Spence white hands?
And does he wear diamond ring on
his middle fingerp"
well, never mind, dear; come in
tea Is waiting for YOU"
!, But Miss Dalwell was not inclined
TO bulge an inch. She turned her
startled tace full upon me and spoke In
such q scared tremulous voice that l
began straightway to pity her.
Dear Louise. won't you look the
place over, just to please mep You
are not afraid Of anything. are YOUR
Nothing in the world, Miss Dali
well,n I answered Spence and ]
will look around"
So, in spite Of my mothers warning
look, I went straight to the kitchen to
and the gardener.
Come" said, there's fun In
this. Miss Dalwell has seen ghost
Let's 60 and hunt him up!"
We went out upon the gravel walks
together, Spence and /. he trembling
90 that he could but just step. and l
most keenly alive for an adventure.
The moon was shining brightly, and
the shrubbery and trees were not ruffied
by breath OF air. I made straight
for the deepest shadows, though
cannot to this day tell why l did 30.
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,
] could not tell which. but I went
directly to It; poor, scared Spence and
the little house-dog Fido (who had vol
unteered in my service) keeping close
TO my heels.
..Oh. Lord, I see I'll I cant go!"
Spence cried Of a sudden, and pumped
right down in the center ola rose-bush
while Fido gave howl Of fear and ran
back straight to the house.
] was left alone In the field, and, !
may as well confess 1t, the position was
not an agreeable one.
! walked right up to his ghostship.
When lol he was three trees ahead OF
me. and had never seen him move.
started forward again, and this time
caught glimpse Of spark Of light
something like q tiny star, burnins
upon his hand. l stood still and