Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-11-12

~ $ g; s.: 5; J: 81 8; !:
V.Nx tale to scare the sill
:; !: !: ::: +:
by an evil spell-the figure passed not
ten minutes ago. 1t always returns this
way-so you can see 1t for yourself.
So said the worthy servitor of the
Languedoc family, Jeannot Lazin. In q
solemn and suppressed voice, as ne mo-
toned for his young mistress to follow
him into the low shrubbery which
skirted the meadow, ere the dense
woods took possession of the ground.
The youthful Lady Felicie. with a
smile of arch merriment on her bright
young face, followed him feariessiy-
pailsing moment, however. to cast an
admiring glance at the scene sne was
leaving behind her.
Well worthy, indeed, this parting at
tention, was the charming'bit OF land
scape, Just now coqueting with the pur-
pie mistiness OF approaching evening.
A prolonged, undulating slope OF
smoothly turfed terraces edged with
straight lines of poplars, ike deep
green fringes, and crowned at the sum
nit with the cluster of turreted roofs
forming Languedoc chateau, whose tah'
quantity shaped chimneys rose iar up
against the gold flushed blue OF the
clouds. seeming to reach the slender
thread of light which the young new
moon hung out, as sign OF her advent
At the right was the thickiy woven
undulating canopy Of grand old trees
forming the Little Forest OF which the
Languedocs were SO proud and chary
and far on to the left you caught
the glitter Of waves. where tne
Mediterranean reveled IN tne
last golden beams OF sun,
shine. and the bright reflection showed
the spires and roofs of Frejus ike
some cloud city, ready to vanish at a
moments warning. nuy
Lady Felicie gave glance-smiied IN
Joyous. triumphant consciousness that
the beautiful spot, was her own PROUD
heritage. and then stepped lisnty anu
daintily along over the rough pathway
by which Jeannot led her.
The old man looked profoundly SOL
emn-yery much awed, and little
frightened, as he plunged into the deep
enipg shade, every now ana theh
,ausing to allow the fairy footsteps oil
his companion to recover the adyant-
sve gained by his huge strides.
He found dry. mossy spot, hall
oyered with dropping vines. and mo-
Toned for Lady Felicie to occupy 1t.
at Ia here l have always stood.
.ady Felic!e; you see that 1t commands
a view of the opening path: he has
always gone out past me-" whispered
Ieannot, with stealthy glance nj the
designated pathway. -,-4 b ..--i.l,
The smile faded OF from the girrs
face. Somehow the weird somberness
Of the wood, with old Jeannots awe
struck face beside. her--she could not
retain her playfulness. She drew her
mantle Of violet silk closer, over her
head, and waited in silence.
"Harkr' whispered Jeannot, uncon-
scIously grasping her arm. 4+l 17
A dull heavy sound. of regular blows,
whether from mortal AK. shovel or pick,
could hardly be determined. broke the
Stiffness reigning around. 11! '-H
The old man crossed himself rover
emily. trHf-H-rt III.
81 always hear It Just So" whispered
he. "and in little while he Is sure to
appear" ~ l1 % sI-asf IA.
"But ghosts don't work. Jeannot.'
said Lady Felicie. why don't you
get some OF the men with you. and fol-
low Up the sounds till you find what
makes them?" TH 40 o.. Hs' HslEa
/ Haven't 1 tried 1t alone? Holy Mary
I've searched and searched the woods
over, and never trace can find OF the
u ound broken. or OF a tree disturbed
| had wild ideas at first-1 thought
somebody was burying some guilty Sc.
cret-a murdered body, or n stoler
treasure, and meant old Jeanno'
should have the glory of finding It all
out. Imight rs well have tried to
raise sunken ship from the sea. oh
now, my lady. it's all beyond mortal
uuuluk Out TtHht . my pSiiei, anu cuit
1 won't be so bold as to bring upon
myself the evil ones vengeance by pry.
| ing into his doings. It was only be.
cause you reproved me. as an idle stor,
teller, that brought you here to see
for yourself" r a IGa
He paused abruptly. shrank back un.
der the bushes. and frantically seized
her hand, while he pointed to the oper
pathway beyond them.
Lady Felicie bent forward, not with
out a violent beating heart, It must bt
admitted.
A tall. darkly draperied figure. will
n shovel over his shoulder. was stalk.
Ing slowly along before her eyes.
So much was undeniable. Moreover
although one hand held the shovel, ant
the other swung idly by his side though
no lantern or torch was anywhere Wis.
ible. a little cirtle of bright light wen
wavering along with him. seeming tc
tadiate from his very feet.
Despite her best efforts. cold chill
crept over the girl. and she stood shiv.
ring until the mysterious figure van
shed from sight.
Jeannot was tnuttering prayers, with
sehement eagerness. ....s s..-
Lady Felicie made desperate exer-
lion. seeing the old mans terror. and
exclaimed resolutely:
"Nonsense! II was n man. who Is