Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1897-12-09

WAS ye wantin' anything in there,
sir?" he asked grufly
''No; simply opened the door be-
cause I heard o strange sound. Do
you ever hear strange sounds about
here?' he asked
Don't hear nothin'," answered the
deaf servitor, crustily, aud Shelby
took himself off.
The next day he thought of nothing
but the strange happening at the bank
de burned with curiosity to again in
vestigate. After hours he went again
. little later and found Flynn, the
watchman, there. Flynn didn't seem
disposed to give him much time alone
for occult demonstrations.
He invented pretext for getting
Flynn away. It was quiet, and he
listened intently Again he heard
the low, musical sound Then came
the wailing words, low but distinct:
80 Eleanora. The voice. which
seemed half reproach, half entreaty,
was heart-rending in its appeal.
The cold drops gathered on his fore
head. What did it mean?
The next moment the watchmnn
came in and put an end to further in-
vestigations. He could invent no
further pretext for remaining, and
went away.
The morning after this the president
gave him an odd look as he passed
through. Shelby went and stared
into the mirror to see if he had omitted
his necktie, or if there was anything
peculiar in his personal appearance.
He saw nothing but his rather hag
gard features.
There was o new clerk installed
| near him, and this man he also caught
looking at him in scrutinizing way
He wondered why he had suddenly
become 50 suspicious of every one
Was this mystery, together with his
suspense about Eleanor, driving him
insane? Was she menaced by some
terrible peril?
If he could only spend a night alone
in the bank, what might he not dis
cover?
He determined to go boldly to the
president, Mr. Bortree, aud ask his
PERMISSION 10 90 SO.
''What is your reason for such q
strange request?" asked the official,
| looking suspiciouly at him.
Shelby hesitated. Could he tell this
| hard, cold man of facts?
"You are aware, of course, thai
| should anything happen here it would
Immediately be traced to you, added
Mr.. Bortree.
Then it flashed upon Shelby that i
was suspicion he saw in this mans
face.
"My intentions are the most limo
cent" he said, Strengthening up. 81
think the bank is haunted, that's all
l am fond of investigating sucl
things
"Why, so am l." said Mr. Bortree
"I'm a member of the Society 70
Psychical Research. Spend the nigh
in the bank if you like ;only I'm afrai'
you won't feel much like work tn
next day"
That night Shelby went to the BAN
about ten. settled himself in tw
leather covered chairs, and prepare
TO await deVelopments
An hour wore on during which Il
heard nothing.
Then he was startled by sound. l
was soft, clicking noise. It was IL
front The door was opened. Ther
were the footballs Of two men. H
60. up. and peered out cautiously owe
the high counter.
, The watchman aud Mr.. Bortre'
were coming toward him.
Il told you / was interested in til,
, occult" said the President. cheer
fully. I've come to help you watch.
, A shade of annoyance passed owe
r Shelby's face How could he e1pec
f any developments with this maj
r there?
) Two hours passed by III silence
5 during which the President read ant
2 smoked. l.,
: tions
Shelby was getting very sleepy, an
) wishing he hadn't come, when sudder
4 lv he heard the familiar 80 Eleanora
Mr.. Bortree heard ii Of the sam
, time and looked at Shelby.
D Then there came faint echo Of tn
g words. and in minute or two so
tapping
Strange" muttered Mr.. Bortre,
! What direction did that come from
a Under there, said Shelby, poin
t ing TO the vault.
: Let Us go in and see if we can stl
a hear il, :
u They called the watchman, and er
into the vault. y was as quiet &
e the grave Shelby lay down and pr
his ear to the floor Suddenly i
. started up
e MY God" he cried. y. i. hollo
e under there Some one Is unde
mining tie vault ] can hear them 1
. work.
Impossible exclaimed Nr. Bo
4 tree ON tia. side Is the knicke
i becker Insurance Company W.
Y coald bore from there