The Holly chieftain., 1898-07-01
CHAPTER y.-co,r1SuEn

CHAPTER v.-CoNrINuED.
The sound of the voice was intermit-
tent. There would be a few words,
then a panse. and 70 on. could make
no sense of the few disjointed sentences.
1t lasted but few minutes. Indeed. 30
brief was the conversation. IL that is
what it was. there was no time to make
an investigation.
After long period of anxious listen
ing settled down again for sleep. And
when at last slumber came, 1t was
troubled. Vague, shadow dreams fit
ted across my consciousness, and
through them all was q sort OF premo-
milton of future events, which seemed
to have bearing upon the robbery.
The next morning was awakened by
the sun shining in my face. Hardly
had got my eyes open and my senses
aroused to my new surroundings. when
loud and long-continued humping
on the front door caused me to spring
out of bed. Hastily donning q few gar
ments, went to the door and opened
It, a0sf
Mrs. Snyder was standing there, and
an unmistakable look of relief came
over her face when she saw me.
ZACH my! you schleep so sount vas
afrait somesing de matter!" she said.
''Breakfas' vas retty long dime alretty."
"All right. I'll be right over and eat
it." replied.
While was dressing the recollection
of the strange voice of the last night
came to me. Now. in the broad glare OF
the forenoon, when all mystery takes
flight and the hallucinations of the
darkness become trivial, wondered If
my Imagination had played me trick
1t seemed as though had heard the
voice in dream, SO unreal did the cir
cumstance appear now.
was standing by the huge chimney.
when again. breaking in upon my
thoughts, came the sound of that mys-
terious small voice.
As on the night before, there were no
completed sentences; only word be-
tween pauses of various duration. The
sounds were palmer, however; not loud
er, but more distinct.
Here was mystery indeed, one which
did not choose only the shades of night
for its manifestations. but came in the
daytime. as though possessed Of such
subtle and unaccountable qualities that
it might defy research.
After the voice had ceased, and con-
tinued my toilet, the sound of talking.
coming from the walk outside, reached
me.
Iglanced out of the window, and saw
Sarah and Mrs. Snyder again in most
earnest conversation.
Somewhat surprised to see my old
nurse so early in the day, called to
her:
"Hello, Sarah! What's the trouble?
What brought you here at this time 2"
ZACH, Mel, bud am glad to see you'll"
she exclaimed. 81 couldn't schleep all
night"
''What kept you awake?"
Il vas thinkin OF you all alone in dis
olt house, and 30 much strangeness
aboud it,"the good soul replied. with
her honest old face upturned to me.
"That was very foolish. Nothing is
going to happen to me-" said, lightly.
although wns not SO sure Of it now.
When went outside the two women
were still talking. and there was an
awe-stricken expression on each face.
what are you two superstitious old
girls doing now?'' asked. "Hatching
up more mysterious tales?"
Mrs. Snyder gravely shook her head,
AZ though seriously condemning levity
on supernatural subjects. Sarah rest
ed her hand on my arm, and gazed up
into my face. There was deep concern
in every line of her countenance.
''Nel, you come wiz me-" she said,
leading the way. followed around
the corner Of the house, and she stopped
before window, the shutters of which
were closed. a
"Look!" she exclaimed, pointing to-
ward the shutters. Mrs. Snyder says
dat vas not dere yesterday"
Like those of most Pennsylvania
farmhouses, the downstairs windows
were provided with solid board shut
ters.
In the center of this particular pair
was small round hole. from the edges
OF which few chips running with the
grain of the wood were broken.
swell, what of it?'' asked, hoping
that could avoid giving an explana-
ton, for was n trifle ashamed of my
self for firing at my own reflection.
"6omepody shot through de shuttle,
and try to killsyou. maybe. It'sn bullet
hole, amt it? Oh. Mel, didn't you hear
It? Mrs, Snyder heard it from her
house, and she look out her window and
saw man runnin' avay down de road.
You can't stay here. Mel. You 20 home
wiz lne.v
I could not sforbear smile at So
rah's fears. but, remembering they
were the consequence of the deep af-
lection she felt for me, checked the
frivolous reply which my tongue was
about to utter.
why, bless your dear old loving
heart, Sarah." i said. taking hold of
her arm, "come, I'll explain that, and
when you know about it you'll laugh
at me-"
The women went along into my room.
you see that window? You remem- \
Der the shutters were always kept
closed. Well, I had forgotten all about
1t last night. and after WINS undressed
] saw my figure, clad In my white night
robe. reflected from the glass. You
women must have made me somewhat
nervous by your talk while making up
my bed Anyhow, was trife fright
ened at my own shadow, and fired a bull
let st 1t. So. you see, no one tried to