The Forrest City times., 1894-06-01


 coming on the cars, mum" Be you an idiot?" "Yes, mum-or. that is. don't know, but Miss Nora can tell ye anything the loike of ye 'ud be wanting to know whin she comes She just dotes on ghosts and such things" Well, I never,'' exclaimed Mrs Simp- kins, as she turned and left the house, | while Biddy resumed her song: Me | Darlint, Sweet Nora ONeil." Its my opinion, Joel Simpkins, that l they're a queer lot down there in that river house." said Mrs. Simpkins, on reaching home.
 What makes you think so, Mi randy?"
 Well, l went down there to tell them about the ghost. and would you believe it? That servant of theirs said she just dotted on ghosts?'
 What's their name?" 70 Neil. guess. Didn't you ask?" "No. l was so upsot forgot 1t. But the Irish girl called one of them Miss Nora, and when l come away I heard her singing about her darling, Miss Nora ONeil so l reckon that's her name. l jest think that Irish girl is dumbed idiot
 A few days later Joel Simpkins told his wife that the folks had arrived at ! the river house. Accordingly, Mrs. Simpkins called second time at the haunted house. This time she was met by middle aged lady of fine appearance. who greeted her pleasantly, but rather form ally.
 How do you do, Mrs. ONeil?' Mrs. Simpkins said. ''I am Mrs Joel Simp- kins, and l am not ashamed of my name, either"
 II am glad to hear of it, Mrs. Simp- kins. Win you walk in? You are somewhat mistaken in regard to my name. It is not O'Neil. but Allen" ''For the lands sakes-l thought it was O'Neil. l am sure I heard that girl of your'n singing about her 'dar- lint Miss Nora O'tSeil.'" Mrs. Allen smiled, and said that ai- though her daughters name was Vera. Biddy's song had nothing to do with It.
 Incidentally. to invest herself with some importance. Mrs. Simpkins stated that Fred Parsons, the richest young man in the town. was paying att tention to her daughter Sally. This remark provoked an inscrutable smile on Mrs. Aliens face. Mrs. Simpkins made long call, but was not invited to repeat her visit She told her husband she could not find o~t anything. and was very sure there was some mystery connected with that Allen woman, for there were ever so many envelopes on the table, and she could see the name smith" plain as noth- ing, and she was sure Mrs. Allen had been reading them very letters Now. what business had Mrs Allen with Mrs Smiths letters, she would like to. know?
 By this time Mrs. Simpkins and her friends were good deal excited over the mystery concerning the people at the river house. Mrs. Allen and her daughter seemed oblivious of all tha dark hints that were thrown out about then.
 Suspicion grew fast Many things were said of the occupants of the river house. Si Jenkins. who lived near. told his wife that lights burned there all night Ezra Burke saw woman in white come to an upper window and 1 look out with wild eyes. He knew it was a woman because of her long hair, else he'd ''a-thought it were old Smiths ghost" Conjecture ran high. At last al haf 1ala f,nv1 of women headed by Mrs. Simpkins should wait upon Mrs. Allen and demand an explanation of the mystery. For such is our Christian duty" said Mrs Burke, who stood nigh in the church 1t is my opinion that their name is not Allen at all, but Smith. and I'd not te one bit surprised if they turned out to be some kin of that old John Smith whose ghost haunts that very house. and whose grandfather, they do say, was hung"
 So the next afternoon the delegation started on it's errand. I'm just aching to tell them what think of such doings," Mrs. Simpkins said, as she raised the heavy brass knocker and applied it with so much energy that the door was opened al- most immediately by pretty Miss Nora
 ..How are you. ladies? Walk right iu," she said. evidently rather sur prised. Mamma will be here in . very few minutes. She has gone for the mail"
 Mrs. Simpkins nodded to the others. as much as to say: Just in time" And +bav foilayad Nora into the parlOr She tried to entertain them until her