The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-08-25
CHAPTER XIV.


The rest of the day was spent at
Sarahs house. Here at least were
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, feeling of security
was inspired, so that when started on
the homeward journey the influence of
Sarah's peaceful abode went with me.
asThe sun was hanging low, and a cool
breeze had risen. / 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.
Ny spirits answered to the influences
of nature, and in happy reflective
mood I 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,I pushed the door open and
entered.
The recollection of deep, dark apart
ment underneath, which had been useo
as root cellar during my grandfather
time, was brought to mind by seeing
that the door leading to the stairway was
partly open. Obeying sudden impulse
/ entered, and, standing on the landing
gaZeu uOWn ihpo INV
gloom.
Now, there was no reason why
should go down into that cellar; never
theless a strong impulse urged me on
As / cautiously proceeded a thrill
came over me, something like tha'
which child feels when, impelled by
curiosity qualified by fear, it is abou'
to venture into some unknown place
Iwould probably have gone to my room
and procured a candle had not this fear
some sensation come over me. laughed
at myself for experiencing it.
Testing every. step before trusting
nv whole weight upon it, lest the tim
bers rotted by the dampness nigh
give way and precipitate me headlont
to the depths below, | went slowl,
down into the Egyptian darkness. NJ,
hand rested on the rude balustrade al
the way, and when il came to the en'
knew was standing on the last step
am probably no more OF cowar'
than most men, and had never peei
afraid of darkness; but this was tn
blackest night / had ever been I'm
mersed in Really there was a lesse
degree of darkness when closed m
ewes, for then the sensations OF tn
glowing western sky still fingered.
Standing there on the bottom step, a
unaccountable fear came over me.
Probably it has been perceived fror
this history that impatience regardin
things which seem TO have bearin
on the supernatural is one of my char
acteristics. To feel sensation of fea
when there is no apparent reason fo
it, causes disgust at what l conside
an unpardonsble weakness.
So then determined to chastise m
cowardice by keeping on and expiol
ing Mat dark hole. would not allo'
mysef TO beat an ignominious retrea
simply because a sensation OF fear IL
clined rue TO such course.
/ took the last step, and my Zee
rested on what seemed to be loos
plank, which gave way few incht
under my weight. From the feelin
of insecurity this brought to me,
thrust out my foot 10 feel my way b.
fore proceeding farther.