The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1895-12-26

awed by the minister's manner that he
disappeared into field, and Mrs. Mac
fadyen, a woman not given to hysteria,
came into Hillocks' breathless, one Fri
day evening, because footsteps had dog
ged her through the pine woods. We
were, in short, prepared for burglary
that would raise us to the privileges Of
| town life, and, in the supposed absence
OF its inmates the cottage had been
| plainly selected for a first experiment.
Burglars are understood to be unpleas-
| ant persons; ours were said TO be also
mur6erous, and, without being afraid,
one may have becoming modesty about
his skill in single combat, but ! was
conscious OF distinct sense Of relief.
One had at least escaped from an atmos-
phere OF horror and now it was merely
the question of scrimmage. Ought
to lie quiet till the intruders came along
the lobby, and then meet them with po-
lite words at the study door? "This is
quite an unexpected pleasure. Will you
come into the study, take care of the
tablet" that kind of thing? Or had l
better dash down the passage noisily
and pull open the door amid fit Of
coughing to find that the visitors had
naturally departed through the kitchen
window? The latter course commended
itself to me, mainly ON charitable
grounds. No one wishes to put his fell
low man to shame nor leave him with
out way of escape. 1t is in such cir
cumstances that misguided men grow
hard and do things they Gas well as
other people) must regret. No, the poor
fellows, however unfortunate may have
been their intentions, will have a time
ly warning.
suggested to Jerry that he might be-
gin by expressing himself, but he would
not move from the chair in which he
was now crouching, and yet more Of
fensive dog for his size or apart from it
competent judges had never seen. Much,
however, can be done in passing hat
stand if you happen to collide with it,
and the upsetting of bundle of sticks
Is fairly audible. Fumbling with the
lock of the kitchen door gave one chance
more, and when ! burst in with a
mighty show of bravery it was not sur
prising to find the kitchen empty. But
where had they gone? The window was
closed and bolted, the back door was
locked, and through the scullery door l
could see no one was concealed among
thepans. Perhaps they had taken refuge
nc, the little room was as
dreary as usual. What about the crash ?
The covers hung in a row, polished and
| bright, and a meat jack stood with I'M
Improbable responsibility in a corner.
There was nothing to account for that
chatter of falling dishes or
for the footsteps before How sudden
and irresistible is panic and
acceleratingi Would it be three seconds
between the fireplace of the kitchen and
the fireplace of the study, including
stumbling over the sticks and locking
the study door? There could be no per-
son in that kitchen, for the freight
showed every corner but one
felt as if he were in danger .
in fact, going to be- crushed
what nonsensei First time / ever saw
the perspiration fall from my forehead,
and my hand is shaking. How ghostly
is the light from the snow Darkness
would be better. Why did not bring
the lamp with me? / would not
go for it now though one gave me
disgraceful cowardicel I'll draw the
curtains at any rate if l didn't
think that was a face looking in y
this is most humiliatingl Now that's
= ~ - - Ia
down, Jerry, and don't whine. No,
did not fall asleep again, and was not
dreaming. From first to last remember
every movement.
1t began in the kitchen as of one pac-
ing noiselessly back and forward. Then
it opened the intermediate door and
came to the foot Of the stairs. For a
then Jerry lifted his nose and howled.
The step went up stairs and went to the
housekeeper's room. After few min
utes it came along the landing, drag
ging something, and heard it over my
head In the big guestroom.
Whatever was being done . it's
the bed being pulled across the floor .
that's bedclothes falling ON the floor =
cupboard is opened = the blinds
are pulled down y not crying, only
a soft, pleading wall = could one get
through the window and bolt for Mil
ton? . Too late, the step comes down
again if had the spirit of man
would fling the door open and solve
the mystery. Nothing, but / saw
the lobby door close of its own accord,
or not another sound till the
back door was unlocked and the kitchen
fire vigorously poked.
Eyes, Jess, i was wearying for the
lamp, but the roads are heavy, and it
must be four miles to Barbara's; ON the
writing table, please. wish to make
some notes.
"No, know it was not likely you
would come in and go out without
lighting the lamp. 1t was Jerry per-
haps rambling about He's been restless
all evening. You have heard noises,
too . dare say. These old houses
do creak, and 1 fancy I've noticed the
sound myself. That's how silly people
come to believe in ghosts"
Then Jess went her evening round
from room TO room, but when she visit
ed that room 1 heard an exclamation
and went mp stairs quickly.
The bed was stripped of blankets,
which lay in a heap near the door. The
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