Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25

But upon receipt OF the goods new he
was off at once, leaving his disabled
schooner in charge of Muggins, an old
sailor who was more honest than sober.
AZ my boat drifted alongside the
Penguin perceived rope trailing
over the port side, and, making my lit
tie craft fast, I drew myself upon deck.
I looked about me. but no one was
visible. It was evident that was the
only soul aboard the Penguin.
I threw myself on camp-stool in the
shadow Of the sail and fell to regard
ing the range Of dark hills that rose
back OF the romantic little city. Press
emily I was interrupted by the sound Of
oars, and few moments later Mug
gins tawny head appeared over the rail-
He started when he saw me, and was
about to beat a hasty retreat when my
voice stopped him.
BLESS me, thought you were
ghost, did, by the powersl" he said,
seeming well pleased that his fears had
not been realized.
"Well, now, what the deuce is there
about me, Muggins, to make you think
me q ghost?" asked.
"oh. 1t isn't that you look like
ghost, Mr.. Raymond" he returned,
alphabetically. "But, you see, when
cove is looking to see ghost, he's pref
ty certain to take the first live thing his
eyes fall on for what he's looking for"
Then you were expecting to see
something Of the supernatural kinda"
That's fact, Mr.. Raymond, though
faint often a cove is believed when he
tells such story. There's ghost on
this old hulk, or else I'm losing my eye
sight"
"And you really believe in such nom
sense ?"
II believe what sees, that's all"
what did you see?"
"Well, since you ask, I don't mind
telling you. You see, since Capt.
Darke went away and the crew was dis
charged, the Penguin has been under
my care, and have been sleeping
aboard the vessel and spending most
Of my time here. Last night about two
o'clock I woke, thinking heard some
thing moving near me. Twas sleeping
in my cot on the deok, and as I looks
about me sees q woman, all in white,
moving like a specter right by the
hatchway. While was Watching, it
seemed to sink into the deck and disap-
pear. I'm not the man to run from o
single night-prowler, but felt queer
like at this, and can't see how woman
could be on the Penguin. Thinking she
might have descended the companion
ladder, I goes down with a lantern, but
finds nothing. Then I locks all over
the ship with the same result. Islept
no more that night, and though I look
after the ship during the day, shan't
sleep here again If I know myself, call
it ghost OF what you will"
With this he picked up lantern and
descended to his boat that lay along
side.
"Then I shall spend the night here
and lay your ghost for you," I said.
you'll greatly oblige me if you will"
he returned, though Ill be blowed If
I think you succeed. Good evening,
Mr.. Raymond I'll drop alongside early
in the morning and see how you have
Jared. There's the key to my cabin"
he added, tossing the key upon the
deck. "You'n and pipes and plenty Of
tobacco, and a sip OF rum in decanter,
If you look close. Now again good
night to YOU"
His oars dipped into the water, and
he was gone.
Dusk Yves already settling over the
water. took seat on the deck and lit
cigar, and began running over in my
mind some Of the events that had be-
fallen me since my arrival in Corsica
been staying in the romantic little
island, finding restfM charm in it's
quiet seclusion that was pleasing con-
trast to the life I had been spending
for the past two years In the gay capital
OF the restless and pleasure-loving
French.
One is not likely to expect to meet
with adventures of the thrilling kind
in the peaceful precincts of Bastia, yet
something bordering upon this had
como to my lot less than month be-
fore.
For the amateur artist the quaint lit
tie city will furnish many subjects for
the pencil and brush. and had made
good my opportunities since my ar
rival.
The most priced among my collec-
ton was the portrait of Veda, the little
Corsican fruiteseller. There was some
thing fascinating in her very pose, and
the dark beauty of her face had drawn
me to her as If by some subtle witchery.
One evening, as I was strolling
through the streets, I heard cry Of
mortal terror come from the court Of
ruined building where several poor
families had taken their abode, and en-
tering hastily I perceived an aged
woman, withered bag. with uplifted
knife, In the act Of striking girl who
was crouched in the corner of the wall.
struck the knife aside, and the
would murderess fed. leaving mo
race to face with Veda, the intended
victim.
She only paused moment to press
kiss upon my hand; then she slipped
through a gap in the wall and was gone.
That was the last I had seen Of her.
To my inquiries regarding her where
abouts received no information, ex-
cepting bit Of her past history which
told me that she had belonged to a
wealthy and influential family, and
that she had received finished educa-
ton. But reverses had come; her ia
Their lad fallen a victim to dreadful
vendetta, and she had finally been left