The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-09-07

was not invited to repeat her visit She
told her husband she could not nnd out
anything, aud was very sure there was
some mystery connected with that Alien
woman, for there were ever 50 many
envelopes OF the table, and she could
see the name Smith plain as moth,
ing, and she was sure Mrs Allen had
been reading them very letters Now.
what business had Mrs Allea with
NJ rs Smiths letters, she would like to
know?
BY this time Mrs. SimpkIns aud her
friends were good deal excited over
.5e mystery concerning the people at
the river house Mrs Allen aud her
daughter seemed oblivious of ell the
dark hints that were thrown out about
Their.
Suspicion grew fast Many things
were said q the occupants OF the river
house 81 jenkins, who lived near,
told his wife that lights burned there
all night Ezra Burke saw I woman
In white come TO an upper window 0nd
look out with wild eyes lie knew (.
was a woman because Of her long hair.
else he'd 'a-thought IL were old Smiths
ghost Conjecture ron high At lost
IL ~as decided that deleCo ton of
women beaded by Mrs Simpkins should
wait upon Mrs Allen and demand an
explanation OF the mystery.
For such is our Christian duty"
SAID Mrs Brrke, who stood high ia the
church ut is my opinion that their
name is not Allen ct all, but Smith,
ond IL 10. t-a oue biz surprised II they
turned out 70 be some kin OF that old
John Smith whose ghost haunts that
very house, and whose grandfather,
they 90 say, was hung
SO the next afternoon the delegation
started on its erraud
I'm Just aching 70 tell them what /
think Of such doings- Mrs Simpkius
said, as she roised the heavy brass
kroclfer and applied II with 50 much
energy that the door was opened al
most Immediately by pretty Miss Nora
Low are you, ladies? Walk right
iu,T she said evidently rather sur
priSed Mamma will be here in
very. few minutes She has gone for
the mail
Mrs. S!npkins nodded 20 the Others,
SIS much as % say: Just in time And
they followed Nora into the parlor
She tried 20 entertain them until her
mother returned, bat felt quite relieved
when she saw her coming and went to
the door to meet her.
Come right in. mamma There are
some ladies waiting for you-"
Mrs Allen was astorished 70 find so
many callers in her parior at one time,
but showed no trace of surprise in her
manner.
Good afternoon, ladies; am very
glad TO see you II was such lovely
day that weut FOR the mail myself 1
hope you have not been waiting long"
Her greeting was so cordial that Mrs
Jones afterwards said she was glad she
was DOT head OF the delegation After
one CT two Intellectual efforts Mrs
Simpkias abruptly began.
Mrs Allen or Mrs Smith, or what
ever your name is-the Lord only
knows. we Gon't.-we have come here
this ef;erpoo 20 find out who you are.
for give your name as Allen, and ge.
letters for Mrs Smith, and we amt
used 70 20 such goings on, and we have
come here 20 have you explain. IL you
can, FOR VIC don't want no mysteries In
our neiEhhorhood"
Surprise rendered Mrs Allen speech
less for moment, then she col6ly said:
Ladies gave ny name as Allen
simply because that was my husbands
name, and, consequently. IS mine.
Mrs Smith IS my widowed sister, who
resides with me For reasons not
necessary 10 state, I receive and an
swer her letters That is the meaning
Of the supposed mystery which has
caused you 50 much distress Like the
ghost it exists only in imagination
She ceased speaking and glanced TO
~er3 the door, evidently expecting her
visitors 10 go; but Mrs Sinpkins was
not easily routed
You say your sister lives with you:
It's odd 20 one h@s ever seen her and
that you never have no company. And
ecu you tell us Tna'an, who the poor
critter is that roans about this house
at night a.l in whittier
Mrs Aliens face was very stern as
she answered:
Il had hoped that il would not be
necessary 70 go into the details OF this
painful matter; but in order TO check
malicious gossip vii. explain that my
sister is confirmed invalid, and left
the city because she IVES on the verge
of nervous prostration. We came here
that she might be perfectly quiet and
have avoided company ON her account
She is not able 70 read or answer her
letters, which al refer 70 business Is
she owns considerable real estate in
town Now, ladies, as have nothing
more 70 say concerning my private
affairs, will bid you good afternoon"
Mrs Aliens tone and manner for
bsds further words. and the discomdted
women rose in body and marched out
Of the house Not until they reached
the gate aid Mrs Simpsins recover
her powers Of speechs then she ex-
claimed:
well l neSerl"
Had Mrs Simpkins got a glance into
the orchard, where May blossoms made
ls II. A.