The Holly chieftain., 1898-08-26
CHAPTER NV.

10 dptHl-
CHAPTER NV.
The rest of the day was spent at
Sarah's house. Here at least We're
quiet. calm and peace. No uncanny
mysteries, no disturbing influences
marred the restfulness. The old nurse
herself was certainty; no doubts and
fears were produced by her society.
By her absolute faith in me, by the
many little expressions of devotion to
my best interests, a feeling of security
was inspired, so that when started on
the homeward journey the influence of
Sarah's peaceful abode went with me.
The sun was hanging low, and cool
breeze had risen. l insisted upon
walking, much against Sarah's wish.
But the horses had had hard day in
the fields, and / would not allow them
to be taken from the cool clover patch.
Reminding the good-hearted woman
of her promise to drive over to Nelson
vile early in the morning. started up
the road toward home. The dust had
been laid by the heavy shower of the
morning; the air was bracing; the last
song of the birds was sounding; the
patches of woodland through which
passed were resplendent in the rays of
the dying sun. which shot golden
shafts through the leafy masses; over
all were calm and peace and solitude.
My spirits answered to the influences
of nature, and in a happy reflective
mood l proceeded on my way. In my
mind one beautiful object predomi-
nated-Florence.
With the lovely phases of the peace
full evening appealing to the sense. it
seemed natural for my thoughts to
turn to the beloved one-to dwell on
her goodness, her faith, her love for
me.
Anticipation of future happiness,
when my darling should be always at
my side, should be in my life, rounding
it out in the fullness of content, en-
crossed my mind. There were no
cruel forbodings, no forecasting of
dire events, no warnings. Even the
sight of the station agent, Skinner,
cutting across the fields toward Sun
set Hill, caused only a temporary re-
lapse from my happy mood.
If SINNERS errand was with the
Morleys, Florence would undoubtedly
refuse him admittance after what
had told her.
By the time arrived at my house the
sun had fallen behind the mountains,
and only the golden rays remained in
the western sky and fired the edges of
the single cloud.
Going up through the yard. noticed
the door to the cook house was un-
latched. / had been unable, in my
explorations of cherished spots of in
terest in boyhood days, to gain en-
trance to the cook house. The door
had been locked, and / had not con-
sidered it of sufficient Importance to
ask Sonntag for the key.
Wondering why the place should now
be unlocked, pushed the door open and
entered.
The recollection of deep, dark apart
ment underneath, which had been used
as root cellar during my grandfathers
time, was brought to mind by seeing
that the door leading to the stairway was
partly open. Obeying sudden impulse,
l entered, and standing on the landing,
gazed down into the impenetrable
gloom.
Now, there was no reason why 1
should go down into that cellar; never
theless strong impulse urged me on.
AS I cautiously proceeded thrill
came over me, something like that
which child feels when, impelled by
curiosity qualified by fear, it is about
to venture into some unknown place.
1would probably have gone to my room
and procured n candle had not this fear
some sensation come over me. laughed
at myself for experiencing
Testing every step before trusting
my whole weight upon it, lest the tim
bers rotted by the dampness might
give way and precipitate me headlong
to the depths below, went slowly
down into the Egyptian. darkness. Ny
hand rested on the rude balustrade all
the way, and when it came to the end
I knew was standing on the last step.
am probably no more Of coward
than most men, and had never been
afraid of darkness; but this was the
blackest night I had ever been i'm
mersed in. Really there was lesser
degree of darkness when closed my
eyes, for then the sensations of the
glowing western sky still fingered.
Standing there on the bottom step, an
unnccountable fear came over me.
Probably it has been perceived from
this history that impntience regarding
things which seem to have bearing
on the supernatural is one of my char
acteristics. To feel sensation of fear
when there is no apparent reason for
it. causes disgust at what / consider
an objectionable weakness.
So then determined to chastise my
cowardice by keeping on and explor-
ing that dark hole. would not allow
myself to beat an ignominious retreat
simply because sensation of fear in
clined me to such n course.
took the last step, and my feet
rested on what seemed to be loose
plank, which gave way few inches
under my weight. From the feeling
Of insecurity this brought to me,
thrust out my foot to feel my way be-
fore proceeding farther.