Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1897-12-09
The GHOSTLY SINGER.
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by ALICE Z. I'VE 8.

And she walked the floor in her
helpless rage
Shortly after this Mr.. Masters an
nounced to his daughter that he
would spend his vacation in Europe.
II have decided to take you with
me, he added
Eleanorwas delighted with the pros
hug.
"Shall you close the house, papa?"
she asked
''No; Mrs. Verlance will rent it fur
nished. I Iconsider myself particular
ly fortunate to have her here to look
after things he said.
Eleanor didn't agree with him, but
concluded that silence in this case
was wisdom.
''Mr Burrows will take room. too,
so there Will be the added protection
Of a man in the house." added Mr..
Masters.
Mr.. Berkeley Burrows was nephew
Of Mrs. Verlance; he had been intro
duced to the Masters family by his
aunt. Eleanor felt something of the
same aversion for him that she did for
Mrs. Verlance; but the Reverend
Masters considered him young gen
tleman of great promise. Besides, he
had large expectations, as that gen.
tleman phrased it, and such things are
not to be looked upon as drawbacks in
a sOn-in-l law.
No communications being allowed
between the young man IN the front
window of the bank and the young
woman next door, Mr.. Jack Shelby
went off on his vacation without hav-
ing had an opportunity to inform Miss
Masters Of the fact
Shortly after he left she sailed for
Europe, having cast longing glance
into the front window as she entered
the carriage which was to convey her
to the pier The glance met no re-
sponse, and she was both piqued and
grieved. but gave no sign.
Mrs Verlance came into possession
and the bank clerk returned from his
vacation. His weary eyes watching
for Eleanor's fitting to and fro were
greeted only with the apparition of {
rather stout blonde woman handsome
ly arrayed, and not disposed to lool
his way.
He concluded she was a visitor O
the Masters; and that perhaps Eleanor
was away for week or two. He knew
nothing of the departure Of the famil,
for Europe.
One evening about half-past six, q
he was going to dinner, he discoveret
that he had left in the bank two thea
ire tickets, which he wished to us
that night He turned back, wonder
ing if he would be able to get in to fins
them.
The deaf old janitor was just finish
ing up his work: but he had som
trouble in attracting his attention, tn
night .watchman not having yet com
on duty. He finally succeeded, an
the old fellow sat down in a corner t
wait for him. and dozed off
How quiet it was, The street tra1fi
the first time Shelby heard the tick {
the clock on the wall. He had neTe
been in the bank before SO late. Thi
strange silence made him feel a
though he sat with the ghost of tn
bustling, noisy business place who's
features he knew so well 1t was some
thing dreamlike and unreal
/ The strangeness Of It all seemed
produce a peculiar impression upo
him. He felt that could he suficien
" master the occult forces of natur,
that in this great. quiet place. and S
near her home. he might make th
girl he loved feel his presence.
The silence became more profound
Suddenly he heard low, music;
sound He could not tell frol
whence il came 1t seemed alno.
under his feet. As he listened il b,
, came more distinct. There was
strain very like a well-known air fro,
.Trovatore.
Next he heard a name which MAD
hi. heart beat fast.
80 EIeanora." sounded the sot
mysterious voice instead Of Ii
. familiar words 20 Leouora' IN Il
opera,
{ Then j, died oat, anil he heard /,
. more
The young man seemed under
spell. For moment or two he cou
! not move. When he hal suthcien,
; recovered himself. he started up 81
{ opened all the doors into the vaFio'
n apartments and corridors. trying = i
II count for the mystic voice.
e The more he searched the more
: became assured that the sound h.
= some occult significance, and car
either from the woman he loved,