Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-05-26

rifying demonstration would he used.
Was there only one voice which in
some way sounded both In my room AID
in the attic, or were there various voices
all over the place, each independent of
the other?
| FASTENED downstairs, but when I
reached my room no sounds were henrh
there.
While In my bedroom. I had no way
of knowing II the voice in the attic was
still sounding.
The remainder OF the evening spent
in rushing from my room to the attic
md back again. and quietly stealing
through the vacant rooms, in the hope
Of laying hold of some explanation of
the strange voice. ! did hear IL again
in the attic, but there was no sound in
my room, though | had Immediately
FASTENED there.
Finally gave up the quest for the
time, and, thoroughly fatigued. TN
dressed and went to bed
My head had hardly touched the pill
low when the report Of pistol reached
my ear. The sound was muf,lcd. as
though coming from n distant apart
ment. Indeed, II seemed 10 come from
underneath, ~ had the sound of the
slamming door: hut yet not directly he
meath: II would undoubtedly have
sounded much palmer had the shoot.
ing taken place IN the walled-up cellar
below my room.
There was no answering shot. and me-
more unaccountahle noises. though I
henrkened intently.
All through the night I lay vainl,
trying to find rcposr. hut sleep would
not come. | was resolved to leave no
stone unturned TO unraycl these mys-
teries. For the events. trivial as they
seemed and as they probably would
prove when explained. wer- certainly
irritating, and threatened wholly TO de
stroy the rest and peace had expected
to find in Jacksonville.
II was eNnspenting that, besides he
ing bnrdened with a load of guilt which
rightfully belonged on other sh builders.
| should also be subjected t. petty an
noyances which promised To make my
stay in Jacksonville anything but peace
full. True, I was my own master.
could leave the old house on the NOR
row. But TO be utterly routed and
driven from the field by n few harmless
though inexplicable happening was
contrary to my nature. The.. too
Florence; how could leave the place.
now that had found my love abiding
here?
When the first rosy tints of dawn
showed in the east, slumber closed my
weary eyes.
As on the previous morning, Mrs.
Snyder was compelled to arouse NE for
breakfast. On the present occasion she
announced rather testify that the rncrn-
ing meal had been waiting for Owe. an
hour.
i could not resist the desire to begin
Investigations Immediately. and there
fore after hastily dressing | walked all
around the house. keeping at such dis
lance from it that every part OF the
roof could be seen.
There was line of wire framing
along the side of the road, which. as
afterward ascertained, belonged TO a
telephone circuit embracing half
dozen towns and villages in the yicir-
ity. This wire crossed the roof of the
house. but was not fastened to il in any
way. swinging at least three feet clear
of the ridge-pole. Within few inches
OF the wire was section of lightning
rod. The air was still, and the wire
hung motionless. On the previous
night a strong breeze had been blow
ing, as l remembered from the mourn
full cadences it produced up in the
attic.
Here was one mystery which could be
very reasonably explained. The wind
had swung the wire, causing it TO strike
against the perpendicular portion of
the lightning rod, thereby causing the
series of gentle vibratory raps l had
heard.
Satisfied that the other mysterious
events would also give up their secrets
upon investigation. | went to break
fast. Mrs. Snyder was not nearly SD
talkative as during former meals. In
deed, she appeared rather glum. The
reason of the old widows taciturn man.
ncr was soon explained.
After pouring my coffee, she watched
me in silence for some time. But 81
lence was not the widows forte, ard. as
I was busy with my own speculat:cns.
she was compelled to begin.
81 guess you ton't like my coolLn',"
she said.
Indeed I do; the proof lies in The
Gnl noon, .,
excellent cook"
The old woman's face relaxed some
what under my praise.
Veil. bud you ton't come rite away
when id is retty." she continued, ''und
! fought maybe you not like de cook
in"
II beg your pardon, Mrs. Snyder. !
in future"
$50 you scbleep Offer yourself? What
for?" she inquired.
"Oh, i was up rather late the even
ing before" remarked. indifferently.
for / knew questions relating to the
strange things which had come under
her observation were trembling on her
lips.
you remember our discovery of the
walled-up cellar?" I continued, Mr.
Sonntag's suggestion regarding the
wisdom of secrecy coming to mind.
She nodded, and her old eyes bright
ened expectantly.
at is advisable to keep the matter n
secret" / continued. "You have not
mentioned it to anyone, have your"
"Ach, no."
Then please do not, for the present"
She promised compliance with my re-
quest.
As the cellar was the next mystery
determined to turn my attention 10,
went home Immediately after finishing
my breakfast, harnessed the horse in
the buggy, and drove off toward Sarah's
house.
II had the necessary tools il would
not be a difficult matter to cut the floor
Of my bedroom.
| fro BE CONTINUED
1
| Gentlemen in Court.