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

cOulu l nnd.
Hugh" | whispered, that horse
is leaving no tracks behind him."
"Do stop your ghost Stories" said
Hugh impatitntly. 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 a thick roof of thatch. Two
little windows on either side of the
narrow door had their shutters up.
and through the jagged chinks the
rays of strong illumination within
shone brightly.
"Go right in and make yourselves
at home. while | take my horse TO
stable" said our mysterious guide as
he turned off to the rear of the hut.
We pushed open the door. The
apartment was large one. much
larger than the outside of the hut
would lead us to believe, but what
astonished us the most was the luxuri-
Gus manner in which it was furnished.
Heavy tapestries covered the four
walls, a 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. huge bureau of
polished pine and mahogany table
were situated in various parts of the
room, the lounges standing temptingly
before the wood fire that cracked up
the chimney unrestrained by any CRATE.
a hanging lamp suspended from the
cross beam. whose shade seemed
studded, il not with actual Jewels.
with wonderful limitations thereof,
cast Il brilliant, almost dazzling, light
over all
We'll" said Hugh as soon as he
could realize the situation. This
seems like fairy tale, but then in II
fairy tale this would be an enchanted
hut. All. but those lounges look
tempting, however! This must be
some great mans shooting box. though
il looked very unlike one from the
outside rs well rs | could see. That
man YOU took for ghost must he the
owner. His invitation for us to make
ourselves ut home sounded as If he
was. Well, would not mind meeting
such a ghost again under the circnm-
stances, from which circumstances
however, may heaven torefend y
We were so tired and wet, and this
apartment being evidently the only
one in the house we proceeded to
undress and hang up our garments to
dry. Under one of the sofas Hugh
had discovered two dressing gowns of
superb finish, which We calmly appro-
priated, and our host delayed so long
about rejoining 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 a
mighty cymbal brought me erect on
my feet and wide awake after enjoying
a much needed and refreshing sleep.
| looked about. The lamp had gone
out. So, too, had the fire. But in
the center of the room pillar of
light seemed to descend from the roof
to the floor. In the midst oi the
pillar was the upright form of a
venerable old man. His head was
thrown back, his long, white hair
falling in mass over his shoulders.
His great beard covered his entire
chest. He was clad in an ox's skin,
fastened by hempen girdle. His
bare arms, powerful and sinewy, were
bound behind him to shadowy stake,
and his naked ftet-merciful heavens.
were resting upon live Goals of fire.
On looking closer at the face | saw a
look of hopeless, ulispeakable anguish
thereon, but not Il moan escaped from
the writhing lips. As | stood horror
stricken, sweet female voice rose and
swelled in n wierd wild chant of heart
piercing sadness. The words were
Gallc, but the tones in which they
floated through the silence of the room
were the tones of soul To whom hope
is lost forever. As it ended, mock
iny laugh rang loud outside the win,
dow and was followed by a horse
neigh. We knew from the cold blast
that rushed in that some one had
pened the door. simultaneously the
specter disappeared. | felt an awe
some presence not of earth approach
ing.
Elugh's voice gasped in my ear,
For Gods sake, let us fly y
Dressed only in the gowns We had
discovered, we rushed madly To the
door. As We passed its threshold. we
heard behind us 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 at first
very naturally took us tor pair OF
escaped lunatics roaming aimlessly on