Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-09-05
THE GHOSTS EYES.


one OF her city friends would scarce
ly have recognized her in the rather
clumsy figure running and stumbling
up the rough canon road that led
from the lower bean field to the
ranch house. Her black skirts were
not held up, but allowed to trail a
little and catch the fine dust and
tar weed stain as she hurried on.
Nothing Of trifiing Importance could
have forced Mary Livingstone thus
far to forget her elegant self, even
alone in a canon.
The fog was coming up from the
sea and slowly closing In and deepen
ing the shadows Of the gorge. 1t
was already late twilight, and the
loneliness and gloom of the place tor
tured her over tense nerves. A little
owl few with a shrill scream over
her head. and she screamed with it.
A belated ground squirrel rustled in
the underbrush up the bank, and
she felt that all the terrors of the
jungle were upon her.
A sharp turn in the trail brought.
her at last in view of the house and
the welcome glimmer of light gave
her little courage. She quickened
her steps still more In her eagerness,
forgetting that the canon stream
crossed the road at the bend, and,
missing the board, she stepped in an
kle deep. Even this she scarcely
noticed, but splashed on over the
slippery stones. 1t was only when
she reached the gate, breathless and
disheveled, that she seemed to be
able to think.
II can't let Allen see me In this
plight" she said to hersef. He
would ask all manner of questions
and not be put off, and could not
tell him that. Oh, no, no" But
just then slight, youthful figure APP
peared at the veranda steps, stand
ing ON crutches.
What makes you so awfully late,
mother?" he called out to her. II
thought you never would get here, ="
and the thin, complaining voice was
even little more impatient than
usual. Sing is on one of his worst
rampages and is mad as hops because
dinner is late. was even afraid to
ask him to light the lamp and I've
been sitting out here in the dark for
ages. II there's a dish left out there
it won't be his fault. Listen to that
and just then tin pan seemed
to 60 spinning across the kitchen.
II am very sorry, my dear" said
Mrs Livingston, quietly? but was
detained by the engineer. He says
the thresher engine is broken, and
he must 90 to Seco Grande to-mor-
row for repairs. Some of the men
were to be paid of. and l had their
accounts to look over. will be glad
when your father gets home. Har-
vesting is too important time for
me to be left alone. Poor Allie.
What forlorn time you've had F!
Come in and we'll make up for it,"
and she preceded him into the dark
little parlor.
Quickly lighting the lamp, she
said: Turn it up more dear, after
it has burned little, and tell Sing
to have dinner in five minutes. III
be right out" and she hurried to her
TooLh, iSaNibS hSi Foh WohuoIiiS
vaguely that his mothers hand
should tremble as she held the match,
and secretly wishing she had not left
him to face the irate Sing alone.
Allen Livingstone was H. but long
accustomed to having every wind
tempered for him, he was naturally
timid and not little spoiled. Mrs.
Livingstone lavished upon him thai
yearning and tenderness that
hopelessly crippled child calls forth
from a mothers pity. He was at
once her idol and her sorrow and his
slightest wish was law.
Dinner at the ranch house was
even more quiet than usual that even
ing. Mrs. Livingstone appeared tired
and preoccupied, while Allen fretted
childishly over the rather warmed up
flavor OF things on the table.
The offending Chinese came and
went in sullen routine. After the
coffee, Mrs. Livingstone put her arm
lovingly over her sons shoulders and
they went out to the parlor thus.
III have a lovely scheme, dearest"
she said. while father is away l
think it would be nice for you TO
come over and sleep in your old
room adjoining mine. 1t will be more
sociable and we can play we are both
young again. What do you think :?
II don't mind it, "saidAllen, indif-
ferently, lighting delicate cigarita.
The house was one OF those primi-
tive Spanish structures. built Of
adobe, one story and three sides facing
an open square-very pleasant and
artistic with the deep verandas, vine
covered and cool, and the little court
always full Of flowers and sunshine,
but not 80 convenient and practical
for everyday comforts as some more
modern plans for homes. The main
part of the house is taken up By the
living rooms, leaving the sleeping
rooms in the wings and far sepa-
rated.
1t had been trying time for Mrs.
Livingstone, when her husband had
insisted that Allen should give up
his little bedroom next to theirs,
which he had always occupied. and
90 across the court. The boy was no
longer D baby, he said, and he had
always needed that room for his own
private use. He wanted place for
his desk AMI books and the big safe
which held the family valuables and
often considerable sums OF gold and
silver, as he preferred to pay his men
in coin rather than by check in the