The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-25
Highest of all in Leavening Power-Laes Us Govt Report
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The mystery remains as well as I'll
ruined house, and pieces of the frescoc
perfect in themselves are still evidences D
past glory.
One charming day in early summer I;
party of gay young people started forth oi
pleasure intent in the form of IA rural pie
mic Baskets of all manner Of good thing
to tempt tho appetite Were in the care
dudish young man of color of vari'
accomplishments After some waverin
1t was decided that the only spot for the
outing was near the haunted house. Tht
examined the small building with koc
and shuddering interest. They climbe,
into the ruined rooms above, where onl.
patches of Madonna here, laughin,
chcrub there, gave hint at what might
have been. The girls, their gay laughtcl
subdued, wondered over the fate of thi
other girl and denounced her tyrant hus
band even while the romance of his al
tachment pleased their fancy.
Her spirit will appear to any one brayt
enough to spend night in her old home,
and to such one she will reveal the Sc
cret of her death, " said ont Of the men.
The day passed as such days always do
plenty of laughter, plenty of fun, jokes
and innocent flirtations. But in the heart
of one girl-the most daring of them all
dwelt a purpose ever growing in plan and
desire. Miss Fitshugh was at once the
beauty and life of every gather .ng.
With all hor love of life and pleasure
she was singulnrly FREQ from boldness or
unroserve. OF fine family, with much
pride Of the highest type, n lady to the tips
OF her dainty feet, sho yet possessed a
longing for adventure, delight In some
ItstF tFft lp fttI tt.f n q
Perhaps some old piraticsl ancestor had
bequeathed his rebellion to her in a mild
degree. Whatever it was, before the party
reached their homes that lonely evening
Patty Fitzhugh had made up her mind to
spend that night in the haunted house.
Her health and nerves were robust, she
argued She had from a child been as free
from fear as her brave brothers, and why
should this bit of adj o ture in this tame,
unoventful life be denied herp
She hated not being open with her par
ents-she was singularly free from So
crccy and decoit-but she quioted her con
science as she bade them good night. She
had often saddled and bridled her own
spirited yet gentle mare, and after the
house was still she crept down to the sta.
bles In her riding habit feeling like a
thief In the night. Horse and rider stole
out the driveway, every football of zenoni
sounding loud and ringing in the still
ness. Miles and miles the two traversed,
coming at last to the woods. For the first
time Miss Patty thought Of tramps. She
did not fear spectral foe, but she did not
fancy an encounter alone and unprotected
with lawless men. Still she went on,
grasping her dagger, prepared to use it il
necessary. The house stood Before her like
a ha int ff
the front room 1t was safer, and there
Zenoni was company. So the two-beast
and maid-kept their lonely vigil. Hours
passed. The wind moaned and uttered
strange sounds. Sometimes 1t seemed as
though footsteps were nearing the house.
Then the stiffness grew insupportable.
Miss FitZhugh Strengthened her still,
cramped limbs and began to call herself
names for her uncanny, uneventful expe'
dition. She was very tired. How could
she keep awakei
Then came something that made every
sense alert. Sobbing mournful cries came
from the west. There was "a strange sense
of the supernatural in the atmosphere.
Miss Fitzhugh sat erect and full of antici
patton. A girls form in soft white wool
stood before her.
A sweet, sad voice said clearly and dis.
tinctly: My time is short. You alone
have braved the danger You alone have
cared to hear the truth. / did grow tC
hate my husband ! waas So desperate.
30 cfasoa tho air, tAG beautiful euteeI
world-my freedom. A stranger daiiit 0Tii
day to know the truth of the rumors afloat
in the county He bribed old Dinah to
let him see me. He came under my win
dow, and begged him to take me away,
to free me from my prison. / would have
done the same If he had been old and hid
eous. ] never loved him. l only looked
upon him as my delivsfer from my terri.
BILE life He planned my escape. made
no promises never intended to marry
him. He never limited at love, only com
passion. lie appeafed at the timo appoint
ed My husband came upon us, He shot
at the man, but | sprang between them
and received the ball in my heart. l do
love my husband. l know now that his
brain was diseased He has never known
a moments peace since. Poor unhappy
man! oh, GIRL as you value your own
happiness, never, never marry jealous
man. -
Miss FitZhugh shook herself roughly
There was no longer the vision Of the
sweet faced maiden. Only Xenoni paved
the floor impaticntly. Miss Fit2hugh
walled, then shivered with excitement.
She sprang on her horse and dashed reck.
iessly out and on toward home, her
thoughts in whirl, her heart beating
like trip hammer
Sho ventured TO tell the story to her in.
timate friend, who laughed at her crsduli.
ty. Your dreams always were So tragic
al and interesting, she said. .'of course
you slept, and the vision was dream OF
all you had pictured. y
But Patty Fit2hugh shook her heed,
She firmly believes in her vision, and She
never wants to repeat her adventure. She
prefers tho monotony of her existence -
Rhodes Campbell in Philadelphia Times.