The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-31

careful, but fruitless search from b"S'-
ment to attic. The attic had been cut up
into a number OF cubby hoies- - h"u
been only partly hoored, ana inc luhhDeT
carried up for the purpose OF noorlhs ihe
unfinished places had been lett p1ed up.
Altogether the attic Was sooa 4ieihs
place Not finding even trace OF any
one having been in the house at all they
finally went 10 bed.
The next night the family remained To-
gether fearing a repetition OF the perform
ance OF the previous night Mrs. Beram
prepared q most ingenious contriVance
by which they might discover the pres
ence OF an intruder, be 1t man or ghost.
Before going 10 bed she took her Hour
sieve and sprinkled a light covering oi
-four over the floor Of the room INTO Wnich
the stairs from the attic led, ana on the
stairs themselves as far the attic. The
Botrams went 10 bed and slept through
the night without any disturbance Next
morning Mrs Bctram arose early, went
to look al the -four. and 10 her amaze
ment saw in Il the impression OF TWO
pairs Of feet. Calling for the rest OF tnf
family. she began to examine the prints
or the Hour.
PTCUiGAR F0Or rEiSrs.
Evidently a haif-grown person aud
woman. so the prints indicated, had walk
ed down from the attic ana mp again.
They were struck with one PECULIARLY OF
the footprints. The impressions made by
the feet Of the woman were so very light
and none of the Hour had been misplaced,
as was the case where the child had walk
cd. Following the footprints they saw
the two, whatever or who they were. had
walked side by side. Mr. Betram with the
others following went up 70 the attic tor
a second investigation, feeling sure ne
would ind some explanation OF the inys-
terry this time However it was too dark
in some corners for him 20 see well and
he sent one OF the children down after n
lantern.
When the child returned with the Eight
Mr.. Betram began TO explore every men
of the attic thoroughly The lumber
spoken Of was piled loosely and after eN-
aiming everywhere else without result
Mr. Betram stopped and looked in the
large space between the planl1s. Looking
closely he saw a dark object in the iarg-
est of the spaces In the lumber, but could
not distinguish its shape until re brought
the light of his lantern full on it, There
crouched a child with vide vacant eyes
staring at the light. such weird spec
tacle she made. huddled down Ike hu-
man rat Recovering from their ds,on.sh-
ment they spoke 10 thc child but received
no reply
They tried to coax her out from her hid
ing place. but without success. and in fact
the child hardly seemed conscious OF their
presence. Ii only crOuched as before and
stared al the light. They knew fl would
be useless to attempt 10 reach and drag
the child out: so they began carefully
lifting plank after plank from the pile
they came to the poor little crea'ure-ior
pitiable sight 1t was. Mr. Beiram fals-
cd her up to her feet and size presented
a more natural appearance then, neih5
dressed as girls of about y years In iaini-
lies OF ordinary means usually are, al
though her hair was unkempt and aust
covered her from heap 20 FOOT sne
screamed and fought so fercely when Mr..
Betram tried 10 lead her out that he re-
LEASED his hold. on hey for minute or
TWO and she fell 20 the floor sobh.ns ana
muttering iudisuncuy something ABOUT
mother"
Mrs. Botram's mothery heart was
touched. She bent down and siroked lhe
rough coarse hair. and I'm soothing tones
tried 10 coax her To talk. but she only
muttered incohorenty. and AIRS. Betam
could only distinguish a word or TWO,
mother" among them. Mr.. Betram and
the bows finally took her up by force and
carried her down stairs. she screaming
and resisting with all her might. They
laid her on a bed, while Mrs. Betram tank
81 gently 10 her and sJroked her hand
until she grew gutter and passive. How
ever. after some vain attempts TO make
her talk and give some accounts or her-
self, and receiving only half intciigaole
responses, they guessed the train, thdt
She was one Of Gods inuocents the lght
of human intellect had been denied her.
She knew few words. but did not pro-
nouncc them distinctly. though 10y her
frequent repetition of them they gathered
that she was telling them she had been
with her moter, had walked and talked
with her.
WHO WAS THE OTHER CNE
The question i'm the minds Of the Bet
rams was where could the woman who
lad been with the child oe. No one cou
have left the house without their knowl-
edge, and another puzzling question
could any living woman be iaht enough
10 make such delicate Impressions ia flour
walking over IL as she hdd,
Before noon a man rode up 10 the house
and called for Ar. Bctram. lie said his
name was Walker. ard wanted 20 know
if the Bctrams had seen anything OF his
niece. a little girl. whom he described as
being iIiOtic MI Betram Jed him into
the house where the child WAS. and asked
him if she was his niece. Mr.. Walker
told straight story, so they could not
doubt his claim 20 her. lie told them her
mother was his sister and the Mrs. Kane
who died in the house IN 1910. and this
was her baby born there. He and his
wife had raised her. and IN spite of her
ahiction were fond Of her. and found
her in her strange way both lovable and
affectiOnate.
Ever since she has been old enough
to walk any distance" continued Mr..
Walker. "she has run away from home.
which is three miles from here, every
month or two. and comes straight 20 this
not understand. Ny wife says she is with
the spirit OF her mother here. and IS led
TO the house by her. but that is all nom
sense" He looked very thoughtful.
though. when we told him OF the light
prints Of woman's foot and said May
be my wife is right" And we felt GER
tain she was.
Her uncle took her up on his horse be-
hind him. Her face as they rode away
was very pathetic. tear-stained and for
lorn. and the Betrams watched them
until they were out OF sight with eyes
wet with tears.
THE LATE MRS. CORNELI1 ELLETT.
Her Funeral VIII Take Place From II.
Johns Church This Afternoon.