Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-06-30
CHAPTER XIV.

The rest of the day was spent at
Sarah's house. Here at least were
quiet, calm and peace. No uncanny
mysteries. no disturbing influences
married 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 10
my best interests, a feeling of security
was inspired, so that when started on
the homeward journey the influence of
Sarah's peaceful abode went with me.
Tt--sun was hanging low. and a cool
% had risen. insisted upon
&xeEing, 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 20 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 i
passed were respondent in the rays of
the dying sun, which shot golden
shafts through the leafy masses; over
all were calm aud 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-
nsted-Floreuce
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
IL out in the fulluess 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 tho fields toward Sun
set Hill, caused only a temporary re-
lapse from my happy mood.
n SINNERS GRAND was with the
Morleys, Florence would undoubtedly
refuse him admittsnce after what
had told Fer.
BY the time I arrived at my house the
sun had fallen behind the mountains.
and only the golden rays remained in
the western sky and fred the edges of
the single cloud.
Going up through the yard, / noticed
the door to the cook house was I'M
Ilatched. i had been unable, in my
explorations Of cherished spots of in
crest in boyhood days, to gain en-
rance TO the cook house. Thu door
ad been locked, and 1 had MT con-
'ered il of SUFFICIENT import; n sc to
Sonntag for the key.
Wondering why the place should now
e unlocked, pushed the door open and
entered.
The recollection of deep, dark apart
ment underneath, which had been used
as root cellar during my grandfather
sime, was brought to mind by seeing
that thedoor leading to the stairway was
partly open. Obeying sudden impulse,
1 entered. and. standing on the landing
gazed down into the impenetrable
gloom.
Now, there was no reason why
should go down into that cellar; never.
thcless a strong impulse urged me on.
As I cautiously proceeded a thrill
came over me, something like that
which a child feels when, impelled by
curiosity qualified by fear. it is about
70 venture into soroe 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
my whole weight uron il, lest the tim
bers rotted by the dampness NIGH
give way and precipitate me headlonf
to the depths below, went slowly
down into the Egyptian darkness. My
hand rested on the rude balustrade al
the way, and when IL came to the enc
knew was standing on the last step
am probably no more Of a coward
than most men, and had never beer
afraid of darkness; but this was tn,
blacklist night I had ever been inn
mersed in. Really there was lessee
degree Of darkness when closed IN,
syss. to- then the sensations Of th'
6Dwing western ~ st,ll aaesrsd.