The Forrest City times., 1895-11-08
REST CITY, ARK. FRIDAY AFTERNOON, NOVEMBER S. 1885

see ghost, though. I almost wish he would make his appearance now" re- marked Winnie. But her companion shuddered at the very thought They soon reched the schoolhouse, where Winnie escaped from her escort, and sought the society of some friends. The pupils of the rival schools took their places on the floor, and spelled without intermission till they were all tired out. Then everybody prepared to set out for home.
 Let's follow the path across the fields" proposed Winnie, as they were leaving. ''It's ever so much nearer"
 But that leads right past Indian hill, "objected Bob.
 "You aren't afraid?" demanded Win nie, scornfully.
 No, I'm not" declared Rob, some- what nettled, II was only thinking you might be-"
 | So across the fields they went. Bob derived some satisfaction for the insult offered him in the pleasure of assisting Winnie over the fences. As they drew near the haunted spot, Winnie herself felt anything but bold, and, fixing her eyes on the lights of her home gleam- ing in the distance, she hurried along as fast as even Bob wished to go.
 They were crossing the last fence at the very foot of the hill, when Winnie, standing on the fence, with her hands on the top rail, involuntarily raised her eyes. Instantly they fell upon an ob- ject terrifying to the boldest heart. Outlined against the sky was tall, dark figure, seemingly wrapped in white blanket, and decked about the head with feathers. The old chief was keeping his silent vigil over his sleep ing braves.
 Winnle uttered an inarticulate cry and pointed with trembling finger toward the hill. Bob raised his eyes and saw the specter. For an instant he stared at it with gaping mouth, and then, with yell of terror, turned and fled.
 Winnie, left to her fate, started to follow. But, getting the better of her fright, she checked herself and turned to get apother view of the apparition | When she had done so, despite the fact that she was alone at that hour of mid night in haunted locality, she sat down and laughed more heartily than she had ever laughed before in her life. For the ghost was only blackened stump, partly covered with snow, and close beside it grew cedar shrub, whose bushy top had formed the feath- cry headdress. Seen from the fence the perspective was just right to pre- sent to the excited vision the exact ap- pearance of the Indian ghost as 1t was so often described.
 Why, Miss Ford, what is the mat ter?"
 | It was Ridley's voice that interrupted | Winnies fit of laughter. He, too, had followed the shortest road, and was much surprised to come upon Winnie alone by the wayside. Controlling her 1 mirth, she explained the situation Then she invited him to go back to the fence and have look at the ghost" l Ridley was much amused, and said the object was startling. He didn't blame Bob for getting frightened would have been so himself. But I don't think l should have deserted you," he added; and Winnie believed |
 | so, too.
 However, both of them were disposed to forgive Bob, as he had given them the opportunity of walking home to- gether.
 Mir. Ford looked displeased as they entered the house. But Winnie, with a greater show of anger than she felt, perhaps, hastened to tell her father of Bob's cowardly act He made no con- ment; but never again did he urge his | daughter to accept Bob as lover. And that luckless youth, feeling that now all his efforts were vain, ceased to infiict his attentions upon her. But Winnie and the young school master remained excellent friends When school closed and Ridley re- turned to college, you may be sure he did not cease to hear from the farmhouse. Before many years had passed-but I have no right to carry this story fur ther, for it was only to deal with the legend of Indian hill.