Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-03-15

I1dIOlu Nds ROilt' n InOntn Wcnt
by, and we had seen or heard moth
ing unusual, though we were told
that the neighbors were waiting
with curiosity to learn what hap
pened at our house.
One evening, when | went down
to the gate, to meet Harold OH his
return from business, as | always
did, it was later than usual, and the
shadows of twilight were already
beginning to steal over the land.
The house sat far back from the
road, and the grounds were yet well
filled with shrubbery and under
groth, among the trees. Harold
was having it got into order by de-
grees, but so far our front yard was
but little better than wilderness.
AS ! ran down the path, it SEEM
ed to me that | saw a figure vanish
through the bushes, and for a mo-
ment stopped, my heart beating
rapidly as ! remembered the stories
about the place.
"Oh, nonsense! ghost, if there
are any, don't walk in the day-time!!'
| said, to reassure myself. "Ill see
if there is anybody trespassing on
our manor And | stepped a little
way into the underbrush. All
was perfectly silent, and saw no
track of any living creature.
at was only my fancy, and the
shadows ! said, as | ran back to
the path. And ! was too ashamed
of my fears, even to tell Harold of
the little occurrence. But the next
morning, after he had gone, Mary
came to my sitting-room, and said
to me:
Mrs. Bennett, if there is no ghost
on the far-rum, I'm thinkin' there's
live man as ought to be looked
after, faith. He's got no business
to be roamin' round, as knows of,
at allw
"Why, Mary. what do you mean?'
! asked shivering slightly. as | re-
called what | had fancied had seen
in the shrubbery.
Faith. mem, there's a fellow as
comes slippin' up the walk through
the trees. most every night. of late.
I've seen him wild me own two eyes
but he always is gone afore | cue
call We. Seems to me, Mr.. Bennett
had better be kapin' an eye on him
or he'll stale the purity horse, or the
swate little COW, jist."
"Well, Mary, I'll speak to Mr.. Ben
net, when he comes home," said
IF you see the person again try tC
let us know"
Faith, | will that same, menu.
answered Mary retiring, satisfied, tc
her own domain.
/ meant to tell Harold that even
ing; but we were going into town
to an entertainment, and had given
Mary permission to 60 to her moth
er's for the night, as we should b.
out too late for her to stay alone.
So | did not really have opportuni
ty to tell him, until we were walking
home after the entertainment.
"Of course we don't believe in tn,
ghost" said / "but there seems t.
be something 'uncanny' going on
and think you had better look int
it,"
I'LL see tomorrow what | cal
discover" began Harold, when sud
denly, he caught my arm, and ex
claimed, Maggie, look there
We were just entering the oil
stone gateway leading to the house
and as his tone alarmed me, | criet
out, "Where, Harold? What j
| it?"
Look at the upper windows
Quick!-its gone!-no, there it j
again! Look, Maggie
did look, standing trembling
with clasped hands, while he pu
his arm aronnd my shoulders Il
steady me, and pointed towards TIN
house.
Good heavens! We knew tina
no one was in the house, yet Their
was bright light cleaning ant
vanishing, then showing again, a
the upper row of windows!
"Oh Harold! what can it be?"
cried in terror, of ] knew not what
~ do not know. But we'll sool
see. Run, Maggiet'
We did run, almost to the door
step, then Harold checked my steps
"See, the light is coming dow,
the stairsv' he whispered, and w
saw it plainly, through the sid
lights of the door.
"Step up on the veranda softly
and | will open the door very quick
ly," he said, in low tone. ] obeyed
we gained the step without a sound
and Harold, turning the key yer,
lightly, suddenly flung the door
open, and we stood in the presenc,
of the ghost.
II was a tall, pale, thin fellow
with gaunt, hunted aspec
which went to my heart at the frs
glance, wrapped in long white
sheet and carrying a small lamp il
his hand.
As soon as he saw us, before w
could speak, he cried out:
"Ha, you have found me-! Blu
you shall never take me back!
will cheat you, yet,-this way!"
There was sharp report, a flash
and the poor fellow lay dying al
our feet.
Harold comprchended, in an i'll
slant, and saying to me, Maggie
it is the escaped convict. Here
help me. Bring some brandy, and
lat ne do what we can for him noOr