Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-01-07


by an evil spell-the figure passed not
ten minutes ago. 1t always returns this
way-so you can see it for yourself.
So said the worthy seryitor Of the
Languedoc family, Jeannot Lain, in a
solemn and suppressed voice, as he mo-
toned for his young mistress to follow
him into the low shrubbery which
skirted the meadow, ere the dense
woods took possession of the ground.
The youthful Lady Felicie, with a
smile of arch merriment on her bright
young face, followed him fearlessly-
causing moment, however, to cast an
Sdmtring glance at the scene she was
leaving behind her.
Well worthy, indeed, this parting at
tention, was the charming bit Of land
scape, just now coqueting with the pur-
pie mistiness Of approaching evening.
A prolonged, undulating slope OF
smoothly turfed terraces edged with
straight lines Of poplars, like deep
green fringes, and crowned at the sum-
NIT with the cluster Of turreted roofs
forming Languedoc chateau, whose tall,
quantity shaped chimneys rose far up
against the gold flushed blue of the
clouds, seeming to reach the slender
thread of light which the young new
moon hung out, as sign Of her advent.
At the right was the thickly woven,
uudulating canopy of grand old trees,
forming the Little Forest of which the
Languedocs were so proud and chary
and far on to the left you caught
the glitter Of waves, where the
Mediterranean reveled in the
last golden beams of sun
shine, and the bright reflection showed
the spires and roofs of Frejus like
some cloud city, ready to vanish at
moments warning.
Lady Felicie gave glance-smiled IN
Joyous, triumphant consciousness that
the beautiful spot was her own proud
heritage, and then stepped lightly and
daintily along over the rough pathway
by which Jeannot led her.
The old man looked profoundly SOL
emn-very much awed, and little
frightened, as he plunged into the deep
ening shade, every now and then
pausing to allow the fairy footsteps OF
his companion to recover the advant-
ago gained by his huge strides.
he found a dry, messy spot, half
covered with dropping vines. and mo-
'tlohed for Lady Felicle to occupy it.
1T is here have always stood,
Lady Felicle; you see that it commands
h view of the opening path; he has
always gone out past me" whispered
Jeannot, with a stealthy glance at the
designated pathway.
The smile faded off from the girls
face. Somehow the weird somberness
of the wood, with old Jeannot's awe
struck face beside her-she could not
retain her playfulness. She drew her
mantle of violet silk closer over her
head, and waited in silence.
HHarkp whispered Jeannot, uncon-
aclously grasping her arm.
A dull, heavy sound, Of regular blows,
whether from mortal ak, shovel or pick,
could hardly be determined, broke the
stiffness reigning around.
The old man crossed himself rever-
emily.
81 always hear 1t just So" whispered
he land in little while he is sure to
appear"
But ghosts don't work, Jeannot,"
said Lady Felicie. why don't you
get some of the men with you, and fol-
low up the sounds till you find what
makes them"
Haven't tried it alone? Holy Mary!
I've searched and searched the woods
over, and never trace can find of the
ground broken, or of a tree disturbed.
i had wild ideas at frst-I thought
somebody was burying some guilty Sc
cret-a murdered body, or a stolen
treasure, and l meant old Jeannot
sGSud have the glory of finding it all
out. i might as well have tried to
raise a sunken ship from the sea. Oh,
now, my lady, it's all beyond mortal
finding out-that's my belief, and sure
/ won't be so bold as to bring upon
myself the evil ones vengeance by pry-
ing into his doings. 1t was only be-
cause you reproVed me, as an idle story
teller, that 1 brought you here to see
for yourself"
He paused abruptly, shrank back I'M
der the bushes, and frantically seized
her hand, while he pointed to the open
pathway beyond them.
Lady Felicie bent forward, not with
out a violent beating heart, 1t must be
admitted.
A tall, darkly draperied figure, with
a shovel over his shoulder, was stalk
ing slowly along before her eyes.
So much was undeniable. Moreover,
although one hand held the shovel, and
the other swung idly by his side, though
no lantern or torch was anywhere Wis
lble, a little circle Of bright light went
along with him, seeming to
radiate from his very feet.
Despite her best efforts, a cold chill
,rept over the girl, and she stood shiv-
sring until the mysterious figure van
shed from sight.
4eannot was muttering prayers, with {
Tehement eagerness. !
Lady Felicie made desperate exer- |
lloD aaafnO tho old mana farror and ,