Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-07-29
CHAPTER IV-,ContjnuedD


thwaite, speaking still rather stifily. IL
dined at Mereside some time ago. and |
must get to Branksome tonight. If Mrs.
Crosmont will allow me-
He turned to the lady, and stopped
short. Her eyes. which began to fasci
nate him by an eloquence which seemed
to him preternatural. looked straight into
his and commanded him to stay.
Come. DR.. Armathwaite." said her
uncle, you won't want us all to go down
on our knees to induce you to stay. I'm
sure. We have a reputation for hospital
ity to keep up. and we should have each
to do private penance if we let you go be-
fore morning. Come now, say you're per-
suaded."
He passed his arm through that Of the
young man. and as his nephew had now
recovered from his ill-temper enough to
echo the hospitable words with II moder
ately good grace. Armathwaite allowed
himself to yield without much difficulty
and without betraying his secret eagerness
for a better acquaintance with the inter
esting household.
Afterwards Mr. Crosmont, humming an
air as he crossed the room to his cigar
cabinet, asked his visitor in a genial voice
If he would smoke. Armathwaite eX-
cused himself. feeling that to puff tobacco
smoke into the air which surrounded Mrs.
Crosmont would be like profaning the
temple of goddess. That lady seemed
o guess the reason of his refusal, ana.
boxing ut him with Il gracious smile. said
ahe did not mind smoke in the least.
Drawing chair to the fire between his
uncle and Armathwaite. Mr.. Crosmont
observed that they would not go into the
drawing room; it was such moldy old
place If he We're superstitious he should
think it was haunted.
"They do say in the village that this
house is haunted observed his uncle.
"\ot one of those silly servants would
come down stairs between the hours of
ten at night and six in the morning, if
you were to offer her new bonnet
Apparently this fact was already known
to young Mr.. Crosmont, for he betrayed
no surprise.
"Old Nanny is ready to swear by her
coral necklace and everything else in the
world she holds sacred. that she has heard
unearthly means and groans in the Dolly
Warden room
Don't, uncle; you will make me so
nervous that l shan't be able to sleep
protested Mrs. Crosmont, in earnest en-
treaty.
"Stuff and nonsense" said her husband
roughly. II never yet heard of a sensi-
Bile woman believing in ghosts"
II don't believe in ghosts. Edwin" she
said very humbly. But you know that
when l get very much excited-and it is
SO easy to excite mel fancy l see all
sorts of things; it is quite as dreadful as
reality
She spoke dreamily and absently. in a
low, awe-struck voice. with her eyes fixed
before her, as if the remembrance Of
some of her fancies Of the night were till-
ing her with vivid horror.
"Of course. if you will read trashy nov
els and fill your head with imaginary
crimes and mysteries just before you so
| TO bed. it's no wonder you cant sleep:
couldn't myself under the same circum-
stances. As for the Dolly Warden room,
the draught comes in at the window. and
that's the worst you can say for it.
"Slnce you have done me the kindness
| to offer me a shelter for the night. may !!
usk favor if may sleep in that room!'
asked Armathwuite ~ have no super
stitions on the subject of supernatural
appearances, | am light sleeper and
have extraordinarily quick ears; SO that
if anybody can find out the cause of the
| prejudice against the room and set Mrs.
| that person.
Done" cried Mr.. C:osmont. "And
well compare notes at breakfast time as
to our experience in the ROOM.
Shortly afterward Mrs. Crosmont re-
| tired for the evening. and after the men
had spent some time in desultory CONVEX
| sation Uncle Hugh showed the visitor to
| the room he was to occupy for the night.
He went away. shutting the door after
Rim, and Armathwaite gave glance
round the apartment. 1t was a rather
| small room. plainly furnished with a high
ron bedstead and mahogany suite. No
| yell-regulated phantom can be conceived
as haunting a room in which there is not
| a four-poster with dark green or dark blue
hangings. and as besides the young doe
| tors thoughts were still too fully occu-
pied with the living for him to trouble
himself about the spirits of the dead. he
| undressed. blew out the candles and got
| into bed without even the passing tribute
| Of a smile at the reputed mysterious ut
| tributes of the room.
| infatuated husband, fascinating and
neglected wife, dangerous beauty. were
all, however, powerless against the eff
fects of his long journey. Won out by
fatigue and excitement. in two minutes he
| was fast asleep.
/ on Ap,rE,p v