The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-07-21

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thoughts caused me to glance some
what nervously toward the closed win
dow opposite.
l could see a faint image of myself |
swaying to and fro in unison with the /
motion of the rocking-chair in which |
l was seated.
Directly underneath was the cellar, |
whose solid walls, defying investigation |
of the interior, had so impressed the old |
nurse Sarah with an unreasonable fear |
Even Sonntag, who, from his vocation, |
was accustomed to hold himself well in !
hand against surprise, had exhibited
profound amazement when informed
of the circumstance.
1t was irritating to have thoughts
concerning the mysteries which seemed
to abound in the old homestead come
crowding up and play at cross-purposes
with the happy state that the meeting
with Florence had induced.
The mysteries had seemed trivial in
the daytime, had been wholly forgotten
in Florence's society, but now that
was again alone and the night coming
on, the thought of the cellar came back
And the voice, the unearthly voice
what was it?
Atfirst had felt hope that the vague
account given by Mrs. Snyder might
have something of truth in it. The un-
raveling of chain of events which
seemed to border on the supernatural
would be a new experience to me, and
therefore furnish a diversion in the
quiet, uneventful life l expected to lead
in Nelsonville.
But now / needed no such diversion
to lead my thoughts away from the rob
berry and its blighting effect upon my
life and honor. l did not regard that
affair any longer as the one great bar
rier which stood between me and happi-
ness, although the desire for exculpa-
tion was keener than ever.
| was sure of Florence's love and
trust, but l could not wish her sweet
self linked forever to one over whose
| life cloud of suspicion hung. Her love
was an inspiration, an incentive; under
it's influence hoped to accomplish re-
suits which even the vast resources of
the bank had failed in.
To devote all my thought, all the
energy possessed, to this one end was
now my purpose. That small mystic
rious events were arising with their at
tendant irritations, threatening to di-
vide the resources of my mind and
body which 1 desired concentrated to
one end, filled me with impatience.
Then, too, the certainty that Horace
Jackson seemed to feel that Florence
would be compelled to fulfill her prom
Use, weighed heavily upon me. Why
had jackson changed his opinion re-
garding my innocence? What devel-
opments had arisen which would throw
new light on the case, and make an in
nocent man bear the consequences of a
crime he knew nothing of?
Just before retiring it occurred to me
that the lights of Mr.. Morley's house
might be seen from the attic window.
1t seemed as though sleep would be
sweeter after glimpse of those lights,
some of which were casting radiance
over Florence's loved form.
/ left my room and quietly ascended
the stairs. Arrived at the attic,
grouped my way to the small window
through which L had gazed that morn
ing. / stood for few minutes con-
templating the lights of the Morley res
idence on the hill opposite.
A brisk breeze was piping down the
valley. Through cracks and crevices
it crept into the old attic with soft wall
ing and moaning. There was homesick-
ness in the mournful tones, and sad
ness, as though the spirits of the de-
parted were signing for a return to old
familiar scenes.
What was there about my old place
that produced such depressing effect
upon my spirits?
The happiest moments of life have a
slight shadow to them, as though to
warn us that all joy is fieeting Per
caused the undefinable feeling of in
security. But there was quality, also
which breathed of events to come OF
dire import. i seemed like the mariner
on a dark sea, conscious of breakers
ahead, and knowing not which way TO
steer. Even my dreams in the restless
slumber of the past night seemed pre-.
nonitions.
That vague forebodings should come
when my mind was filed with thoughts
of the beloved one who had given me
her heart, was most strange. could
not shake off the depression. The dark.
ness of the attic deepened it.
| was about to retrace my steps tC
the stairway, when sounds reached my
ear which caused me to pause and listen
"a series of raps, alternating with q
rasping noise, but so feeble and indis.
tinct that / was unable to form an opin.
ion of the cause. All l could determine
was that they seemed to come from
above.
A loose shingle or piece of timber
rafting in the wind, would have made
a dull, heavy sound, while the gentle
raps l heard had clear, mellow ring
like that produced by the vibrations Of
a tuning fork.
After lighting all the matches had
with me and making as thorough al
examination of the roof as the briei
Pickering lights would allow, groped
toward the stairs.
Probably half the distance TO the
landing was passed when upon my ear
fell the voice, the unearthly voice, tho
, weird tones of which had first hearC
in my room downstairs.
1t could not possibly be heard up in
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