The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-05-12
A REAL SPECTER.
Tho Awesome Apparition That
Two Girls Saw.

ut will be such fun" said merry
hearted Clara Wynford.
II don't think it will be fun at ALL"
said Marian Dale, gravely. ''Only see
what dismal place it is under that
ledge of rocks, with only the
owls and the crickets for neighbors.
Let us run, Clara, and we shall surely
reach home before the storm breaks"
"Hush'' Clara held up her finger as
low growl of thunder rolled along the
edge of the horizon and the big drops
began to patter among the leaves Of the
beech-copse, on whose outskirts they
stood. "Another five minutes and the
tempest will be upon us in all it's force.
We must not lose an instant in seeking
shelter"
But suppose old Huldah will not adj
nit us?'
lit is all nonsense to suppose any
thing of the kind. She cannot refuse us
shelter in storm like this
And, selling her companions hand
resolutely, Clara Wynford almost
dragged her along over the rough in
equalities of the mountain path to the
little cabin which nestled beneath an
overhanging ledge of rocks. Once,
twice, she tapped, and, receiving no re-
Spouse, boldly pushed the door open
and entered, while Marian followed
with beating heart and cheeks blanched
by vague, underlined terror.
A fire of sticks blazed on the huge
stone hearth, and an old woman sat be
fore 1t smoking a short, black pipe. She
turned her head as they entered.
''Why' didn't you say Come in,' Hull
dah?' inquired Clara, with good
humored imperiousness. Didn't you
hear us craving admission"
swered the old crone.
'And why didn't you reply?"
IL want no company" was the brief
answer.
But Clara Wynford, instead of being
repealed by this ungracious reception
drew wooden stool to the fire, beck
oning Marian to follow her example.
You're a cross old thing, Huldah,' -
she said, laughing. 'Would you have
NepC US OUT IN the ram:
BETTER to be drenched by the rain
than to seek shelter like this" said
Huldah, her face still turned away from
her unlimited guests.
"Why, Huldah, you speak as if this
place were uncanny."
$50 it is, said Huldah, sternly.
Are there ghosts here, or evil spir-
fnI H.
ing strangely in her gay young voice.
CLARA! Clara" pleaded Marian. pull
ing her sleeve, don't talk so; you
make my blood run cold!"
but it's all nonsense" laughed Clara.
''Oh, do listen to the rain! how it pours
upon the roof, and just see those vivid
flashes. You can't turn us out, Huldah,
now that we are here
Huldah Dare's rigid old face softened
somewhat as she looked into the fresh
beauty of the sweet young countenance
upturned to hers.
II would never have invited you to
come in, Miss Clara" she said; but,
since you are here, ] must do my best to
make you comfortable"
And you will give us some milk out
OF those darling old blue-rimmed bowls
aid some rye bread?"
Yes
Clara clapped ner hands like de-
lighted child.
And may we sleep up in the garnet
under the eaves?"
You had better go home, Miss Clara
this hut is no place for the likes of
you dainty young ladies to lay your
heads. i.
''Inhospitable old thing pouted
Clara. "As if we could go home in such
tempest as this! Why, it will rain all
night!.''
They will send the carriage for you. :"
"How can they, when they haven't an
idea where we are? We started to walk
to Buckleyville, and then l remem-
oered what delicious wild grapes used
TO grow up the mountain side; and we
wandered off, scarcely knowing where,
until we heard the thunder peal and
found ourselves close to your cottage.
It's regular adventure, Huldah, and
you may as well give in to it first as
last
Marian Dale sat silent the while, and
when Huldah had limped into the bed
room to get fresh fuel wherewith to re-
plenish the failing fire she WHISPERED
to her companion:
Il don't like the looks of this place,
Clara. wish we had never come to it.
"What nonsense!'' said Clara, gaylv.
II think it is all splendid! Old Huldah
10 perfect character, and night upon