Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-10-08

had a idee that thar pesky thing war a
saliin long jst ahind my coat tails
Il heard like experiences from sew
erai others, and IN some way connect
ed the ghost with the Denzil rob
berries. For two nights / stood dreary
watch III the woods referred to w1th-
ont making any discovery. The third
night | received shock. 1t was iu-
tensely dark in the shadows Of the
trees, and as sat at the root of big
oak some white object glided swiftly
aud noiselessly jnst above the centre
Of the road. I. ms.,le the cold .chills
run over me, though 1 have no pa
tlence with those who tell Of visits or
communications With the departed.
II was determined to enlighten
myself and secured good saddle horse
as companion Of my .vigils. The
second night the ghost few by and
| galloped in its wake at all the speed
my horse could command. A mile
ahead the 'appnrition' swerved to the
right of the road and ended our mad
race. Tying my horse in fence
corner l crept nearer. Sowelv I
made ont that the ghost was a woman
OF stately Y proportions wearing Il daiu-
thy rnffled night robe. She leaned for
brief time over the hollow stump
that had been her evident destination
and then turning mounted her flying
machine, which was modern bicycle.
and went scorchiny back over the
course she had come. Again l fol-
lowed and did not stop until saw
her disappear in the side door Of the
DeDZll house. Fastening back to the
hollow stump explored the interior
And found the stolen property, Of
course, interrupted listener.
"Not a sign Of it. | could discover
nothing that did not naturally belong
there. Failing to find the thief in the
ghost, became member Of the
Denzil household, ostensibly as his
private secretary. My first discovery
was that the ghost was the beautiful
Miss Denzit She was somnambu-
/, list. and in utter ignorance of the
| weird night rides she had tnken. But
when told of them the explanation
/ was an easy one. When she and her
! young lover were children, that hollow
stump had been the postoffice where
their ardent missives were mailed
and called for. Tue memory of those
days was delightful one to her, and
the strange mentor Of her unconscious
action prompted her visits to the old
spot.
"My next important discovery ex-
planned the mystery | was employed
to solve. Watching secretly in the
Railways, ] saw old Denzll, with eyes
wide open aud set, come out of his
chamber, climb the stairs to the attic,
unlock an old desk stored there, open
secret drawer and deposit m monev as
we'll as Jewels His action showed me
that his daughters habit of moving
about at night was au inherited one.
The next morning he gayc Inc ter
rifle blowing up as careless, incom.
petent and worthless detective who
could not catch thief when in the
house with HIM. | was more inter
ested in that charming daughter o
his than IN nv case, aud schem.
flashed into my mind as if inspired.
..Mr. Denzil,' said, 'can vor
stand the shock Of knowing that YOU
daughter is seriously threatened witt
the loss of her mind because Of brood
ing over separation from the mar
whom you say she shall never marry
and that because Of her mental intirm
~ sbC 10 IddoSChtAt iobblh- wa II
der a deusion that IN no other wa,
can she provide for the future happi
ness Of herself, aud that vonng cha]
she honestly thinks. poor girl, she
gong 10 marry
= It's lie.' he roared. a mlsel
able plot, You're discharged
II did no, take Miss Deuzil into m
plans ] secretly transferred all tn
stolen wealth TO the old stump, had
trusted officer nn guard and then tol
III. old gentleman that | could prov
all I had said and insisted on the rig,
, 10 vln,iIcate mvseif He and | watche
ai the primltlv. postofhce TIL b
daughter came and repeated the Col
| due; | have described Then a
, brought ont the conceaied treasure
Deuzil WAS beside himself for fear
Nigh; act too late He sent post mas
S for the young lover. maie a madison