Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-03-09

Hugh, whispered. ." that horse
is leaving no tracks behind him"
DO stop your ghost stories, said
Hugh impatiently. Anyhow, re-
strain them until we get out Of this
lost part Of Scotland.
After half an hours trudging We
stood before the cabin from whence
the light had proceeded. 1t was a
small. mud walled concern covered
with thick Iu0i of thatch. Two
little windows on eithe- side of the
narrow door had their shutters up.
and through the Jagged chinks the
rays Of a strong illumination within
shoue brightly.
"Go right in aud make yourselves
1T home, while | take my horse 10
stable" said our mysterious guide as
he turred ofi to the rear of the hut.
We pushed open the door The
apartment was u large one, much
larger than the outside OF the hut
would lead us to believe. hut what
astoni-hed us the most was the luxuri.
nlis manner in which it was furnished.
Heavy tapestries covered the four
walls. thick Turkish carpet was
spread upon the floor, four chairs of
solid mahogany. two lounges of the
same material. all upholstered in the
richest velvet, a huge bureau Of
polished pine and mahogany table
were situated in various parts of the
room, the lounges standing tcmptingly
before the wood fire that cracked up
the chimney unrestrained BY any CRATE
\ hanging lamp suspended from the
cross beam. whose shade seemed
studded, il not with actual Jewels,
with wonderful limitations thereof.
cast brilliant, almost dazzling, light
over all.
"Wcll, said Hugh as soon as he
could realize the situation. This
seems like II fairy tale, but then in II
fairy tale this would be an enchanted
hut Ah. but those lounges look
tempting, however. This must he
sume great man, shooting box, though
it looked very unlike one from the
outside II, well as could see. That
man vou took for ghost must be the
owner. Ills invitation for Us to make
at home sounded As it he
wa,. Well. | would not mind meeting
such a ghost again under the circum
stances, from which circumstances
however, may heaven torefend =
We were 50 tired and wet, and this
apartment being evidently the only
one in the house we proceeded To
undre>s and hang up our garment, 10
drv. Under one Of the sofas Hugh
had discovered two dressing gowns of
superb finish, which We calmly appro.
priated, and our host delayed 20 long
about rcjoining us We lay down on the
lounges and were soon sleeping as
worn and weary wayiarers alone can
sleep
What sounded like the clash OF u
mighty cymbal brought me erect on
my feet and wide awake after e"joying
Il much needed and refreshing sleep.
| looked about. The lamp had gone
out. -, too. had the fire. But in
the center Of the room pillar of
light seemed tu descend from the roof
to the floor. In the midst OF the
pillar was the upright form Of a
venerable old man. His head was
thrown back. his long, white hair
falling in Il mass over his shoulders.
His great beard covered his entire
chest. He was clad in an ux's skin,
fastened by u hempen girdlc. His
bare arms, powerful and sinewy. were
bound behind him TO II shadowy stake,
and his naked feet merciiul heavens
were resting upon live Goals of fire.
On looking closer at the face | saw
look Of hopeless, unspeakable anguish
thereon, but not Il moan escaped from
the writhins lips. A ! stood horror
stricken, Il sweet female voice rose and
,MelIrd in wierd wild chant of heart
piercing sadness. The words were
Gallic. but the tones in which they
iloa,ed through the silence Of the room
were the tones of Il soul Ia whom hope
i, lost forever. As il ended, mock
in. laugh rang loud outside the win.
dow and was followed by horses
neigh. We knew from the cold blast
thai rushed in that some one had
pcned the door. simultaneously the
>pectcr disappeared. | felt an awe
some presence not Of earth approach
ing
Hugh. voice gasped in my ear,
For Gods sake, let us fly :"
Dressed only in the gown, We had
discovered, We rushed madIy To the
door. y. We passed lis threshold, We
heard behind Us a yell OF Disappointed
rage that made the blood run cold in
our veins
We dashed on blindly, panic strick
en-. Al length toward morning we
met party Of hunters. who nj first
very naturally took Us Tor a pair OF