The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-06-16


hands i'm horror.
81 just believe the thief is hiding
in there" said Nat.
The old cellar was hardly more than
niche in the stone wall, with stout
oak door covering its opening. Years
before an old well had occupied the
niche, but it had caved in, and Mr..
Foster had not thought ii worth while
to fix 1t up, especially now since the
town had waterworks. So he had
securely fastened the door to prevent
any one getting into the well, and so
far as any of the Fosters knew, it
hadn't been opened in ten years or
more.
Charlie was SO sure of his theory
that he wanted toprove il on the spot.
But they waited until Father Foster
came home and told him about it.
Well 90 and see," said Father
Foster promptly.
He started for his own private closet
upstaires to get the key to the old
cellar. He looked high and low for it,
and then he came back with II puzzled
expression on his face.
It's gone" he said
There's where the mystery is, :"
said Nat, excitedly.
Father Foster led the way, lamp in
hand. Charles followed close after
him with poker. Nat came next, and
then Mrs. Foster and Jane, who said
they were not at all frightened, in
deed. At the bottom of the steps. just
peeping into the cellar, stood Madge.
They knelt near the door of the
deserted cellar, and, sure enough,
there were tracks and tracks that
looked as if the person who made
them had walked straight through the
dusty old door. Father Foster walked
up and took hold of the great iron
handle, while Charlie, very pale aud
quiet, poised his poker, ready to strike
if occasion might demand Father
Foster pushed on the door and it
easily swung open on its creaky
hinges.
At first they could not see anything
owing to the glare of light from the
lamp and the darkness within, but
Father Foster pushed his way through
the door.
"There they are ~ shouted Charlie,
suddenly.
Sure enough. there were Grand
mother Maxwell's spoons, six of them,
tied ns usual with the faded tape and
lying on pile of other things, includ-
ing Charities best coat. James butter
bowl, the last volume if "Uncle Toms
] - al r ..tl,
things which were recognized as hav-
ing been taken from the house.
The old well yawned Mt their feet
Father Foster peeped down into it,
and could see nothing The place was
full of cobwebs. and there was hardly
room for anyone to hide, if inuced
any one would have selected such u
dark, damp, spooky place. just inside
the door Father Foster thought he
saw some footsteps, but neither he nor
Charlie felt quite sure about it. BY
this time Mrs. Foster, Jane and Madge
had come up, and they all examined
the place carefully.
How in the world did they come
here ?" asked Mrs Foster.
THAT'S just the question:" said
Nat. 81 don't see that the mystery
isn't as great as ever"
They discussed the wonder all the
evening, and finally Charlie and Nat
agreed to sit up and watch, taking
their places in the cellar, where they
could see the stairs and the doorway
of the old well place. Nat was a little
nervous about it, but Father Foster
said he would be ready in the room
above to respond to the slightest
alarm. That night the watch began.
Charlie and Nat sat close together,
with only the light of dim candle,
from which they were shaded. For
several hours they waited, and every
thing was quiet. Nat fancied, how
ever, that he heard all sorts of strange
sounds, and he would have given any
thing to, be allowed to go upstairs to
bed. Even Charlie felt little fright
ened, but he would not have admitted
it to Nat for anything.
Some time after mignight, the boys
never knew just what time it was, they
heard faint sound as of stealthy
steps at the cellar stairs. Mats teeth
began to chatter and Charlie crouched
with his hands clinched.
keep qniet," he said, fearing that
Nat would shout.
The sound of steps continued.
"Some ones coming downstairs, "
stammered NAT.
The words were hardly out of his
mouth when they saw something white
gliding along the passageway toward
the old door. The light was much
too dim for them to see distinctly, but
they were conscious the person or OBJ
ject, whatever it was, made very little
noise and that it was all white. The
door opened and the figure bent for a
moment inside, then turned and came
ont. If the boys had not heard the
faint creak of the rusty hinges they
might have convinced themselves that
they were dreaming.
The figure gided slowly back. just
before il reached the stairway Nat.