Evening star., 1896-09-19

had been. If we had seen anything like
ghost, 1t would not have been so un-
natural. but that feeling of being terribly
afraid of something, without knowing what
IL was, awful.
I'VE stood still awhile hoping 1t would
pass away. but when we began to feel
death in some frigktful shape. we could
not stand 1t any longer. and We ran through
the hall and out upon the porch. the two
women screaming and the dog and cat
swapping, Snarling and bowling.
THE fear left us the moment we got out
on the porch and We men felt foolish
enough, l can tell you. We were not long
deciding that Mrs. BCdthorne had had
US all. Martin and 1 accordingly concluded
to go iE again. We did so. leaving the man
with the women. but we got No further
than the door opening into the room where
the deviIish ball still lay upon the table.
1 felt as If 1 was being led out to be tor
tured to death; Martin felt the same. and
ran out again as II We were flying Tor
our lives .and believe to this day that We
we're. No one could stay under the infiu-
Ell ce of that spell for an hour without
losing his mind or his life. 1t seems ridicu-
lous to credit such thing nowadays. and
hard to behave that any one would give up
to a fear that has visible cause: but
there the old house stands vacant. and you
may all think me a coward. but l would
not go alone into it and stay for ten min
utes for a deed of all the land that can be
seen from its roof.
Martin and all his folks stayed here at
my house until they went west. He had
been considering that move before this
thing happened and that decided him. 1t
was soon found that the spell Is not on the
house in the daytime. so we got his things
out without difficulty. 1 can tell you,
though. it was big relief when we locked
up the plnce and left 1t to ITSELF.
What became Of the ball? young BUD
thorne asked
Martin wanted to break it to pieces. but
1 told him that enough had happened from
merely opening the lid, without risking
cellar of the house. and. l suppose. 1t Is
there yet. unless it has vanished. as 1
could easily believe
could you tell me the exact placer! the
young man asked further.
DO you wish to get it?' Ahner inquired,
earnestly.
"Yes, I should like to have It. I sup
pose 1 have inherited my granduncle's 9
fondness for odd things. and 1 think this
Arabian sphere would be quite an addition
to my collection
Il advise you to have nothing to do with
it," Abner said. but If you wish to see
it. YOU can easily find 1t. Martin dug a
hole for it in the front cellar We were
afraid that common earth would not hold
it down. so We put heavy stone slab over
it."
Budthorne said no more, but the old man
pursued the inquiry:
"wil you go to the cellar for it?"
"Yes. and take 1t home with me. Who
has the key OF the house?'
Armstrong the present owner. don't
| think he will object to your having it."
This concluded the storytelling. and we
separated for the night. 1 was powerfully
| impressed by the old mans narrative, and
| next morning easily obtained Bud
| thorne's consent to accompany him to gel
! the bone ball. We reached Armstrong;
place about 10 o'clock and found him in
| his front yard Budthorne presented a note
| of introduction from Philip and asked fol
| the key. at the same time stating his pur-
! pose. The farmer did not object, but ad-
| vised us not to NEEDLE with the matter.
| II am Inclined to believe it is all i'm
| ag.nation," said the young man This ole
| skull bone ball could not harm any one
| at any rate, and 1 want it a curiosity"
! Don't deceive yourself" Armstrong diff
| fered earnestly. Il tried to spend a NIGH
there once to decide the same doubt.
| stayed just five minutes, and my doub
| was fully satisfied. 1 have never tried il
, again. 1t may be Imagination, but some