Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-04-14
/ ACLEW BY WIRE
Or, A laterrpted Current.
BY HOWARD N. YoST.
Copyrights. 1856. BY J. q. LIrpinoou Co.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
II was something like coming home.
after all. albeit TO a house almost void
Of furniture and peopled only with
remembrances of loved forms long since
gone. At any rate, twas the only home
could really call my own.
There were two rooms, the spare
bedroom and the parlor adjoining. on
the first floor. which still retained the
furniture. Everything about these
sooms, though faded and somewhat
worn, was In good order, and / COM
plimented Mrs. Snyder on the care she
Ind taken.
Sarah had thrown up the windows,
and the soft evening air came into the
rooms.
Although the place had not been
allowed TO go TO ruin. there was about
it that Understandable quality which is
attached 10 long-deserted houses. We
oil felt il more or less. Sarah and Mrs.
Snyder spoke in whispers; Jake stepped
about on tiptoe. rs though fearful that
the heavy tread of his cowhide boots
would bring back the spirits of the
departed; while TO myself there was n
pathos about the old house which had
not known an inhabitant for so long.
II seemed like some human being de-
serted by its own flesh and blood.
While I was passing from bureau
10 wardrobe, from center-table TO man
tes-piece. taking mental notes Of all the
eld-fashioned china and bric-a-brac
which adorned those places still, and
which in my young days had been for
hidden my boyish fingers. Sarah and
Mrs. sEyys-rrnade up the bed, taking the
bedding from huge cedar chest which
stood on one side of the room.
Sprigs of spruce and hemlock had
been placed in the chest from time 10
time, and when the cover was lifted
the puneent odor filed the room.
All through the preparations I no
ticed that Sarah and Mrs. Snyder were
engaged in earnest conversation.
The old widow was especially vehe-
ment, and Sarah would frequently
shake her head and give forth exclam-
atoms indicative either of wonder or of
disapprobation. My old nurse also IA
vored me with many glances which
seemed to have much of solicitude in
them.
When everything had been done 10
make me comfortable for the night,
Sarah turned TO me. and spoke low.
with a touch Of fear in her tones.
Come, Mel, you go back home with
u.s." she said. Don't stay here all alone
in dis grade big house. i am afrait
20 haf you. Come back with u.s." she
reiterated, appealingly.
"No. indeed" replied. decidedly. 81
would not miss sleeping amid the CRATE
full odor of spruce for anything. Ill
be over TO your house for breakfast,
Mrs. Snyder" turning toward the old
widow. You understand am to take
my meals at your house. do you not?"
Yes. Dat ish all fixed. Mr.. Son.
tag. your lawyer, told me. Bud you
better go back NIT Sarah" the old
woman replied.
And why so7 What's to hinder my
staying here In my own house, ]
asked. Have you cooked up a scheme
Sarah. with Mrs. Snyder. to force me IL
60 back with your" I asked of my OLD
nurse. Never fear, you'll see enough
of me. III come over to your house
often"
The two women exchanged glances
and seemed To be reluctant to proceed
Finally Sarah spoke in awe-stricken
tones. first looking around with a
frightened expression.
"Dere's something funny aloud de
house, Mel"
"Humphi Idon't see anything funny
OF ALL" ! replied. There is more sad.
ness to me"
"Der's awful strange things hat been
eeen and heard Sarah continued, with
oeep seriousness. Old Jake's face fell
ct his wife's words. and he moved near.
er TO her.
who has seen and heard strange
things, and what are they?" asked
lightly, for ] am not superstitious, and
not easily frightened by two old
women's imaginations.
Mrs Snyder hat seen lights at night
and efen In de daytime haf heard noises
strange noises of talking" replied my
old nurse.
well, they will have to be very brigh,
lights and very loud noises to awaken
me tonight, for intend to sleep like 9
stone" said, laughingly. "Th,
strangest thing of all to me is my com
ing here for the first time since my
grandfather's body was borne from tn,
parlor to be placed In the grave"
Old Jake gave a sudden start which
attracted my attention to him. / saw
him gaze through the open doorway in
TO the parlor in very evident terror, ant
heard him exclaim. in low. awed tones
'tGott In Himmel!"
could not restrain a smile at tn,
sight of the tall, strong man overcom
by childish fears, and was about to up
braid him for his foolishness. But 1 re
membered the vein of superstitio,
which runs through the lives Of tn
Pennsylvania farmers, and 90 said moth
ing.
"Come back with u.s." again pleads
Sarah.
"No. II there is anything out of tn
ordinary about my houseuXuop. all tn
more determined to ren \ GU
what II is" ] said, do IN
addeG. more softly. I'd tisl
to wound the kind hear drs
II knew her fear for NJ 0ut o
bsr love and solicitude for my welfar
ri fes tsFs esss Of nyesls uadsr ~