Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-01-07

u IAC OcAOScu one VINO mao given me
her heart, was most strange. I could
not shake off the depression. The dark
ness of the attic deepcned it.
1 was about to retrace my steps to
the stairway, when sounds reached my
ear which caused me to PAUSE and listen
IA series of raps, alternating with Il
rasping noise, but SO feeble and indis~
tinct that I was unable to form an opin-
ion OF the cause. All could determine
was that they seemed to come from
above.
\ loose single or piece of timber,
rattling in the wind. would have made
dull, heavy sound, while the gentle
rare heard had a clear, mellow ring,
like that produced by the vibrations OF
a tuning fork.
After lighting all the matches I had
with me and making as thorough an
examination of the roof as the brief
fickering lights would allow, gropcd
toward the stairs.
Probably half the distance to the
landing was passed when upon my ear
fell the voice. the unearthly voice. the
weird tones of which had first heard
in my room downstairs.
1t could not possibly be heard up in
the attic, when speaking in my cham
Der. So then it must have the faculty
of being able to change from one apart
mcnt to another just as the whim seized
it.
Like the voice which had sounded
downstairs, the tones were intermit-
tent; in the present instance they al
tcrnated with the rappings.
After standing motionless, with hear
ing strained to the utmost. I noticed
that 1T no time did the voice and the
rnppings sound together.
The few detached words distin-
guished had no possible reference TO
myself; nevertheless the voice seemed
to follow me. I was unwilling to at
tribute the sounds 20 supernatural
causes, for I was not believer in the
supernatural. 1t might be that the par
ties who had walled up the cellar found
some of their plans. whatever they
may have been, upset by my advent.
and had taken this way to brighten me
and cause my departure.
appear tenable. For if the purpose was
to brighten me. Il fiercer and more ter
rifying demonstration would be used.
Was there only one voice which in
some way sounded both in my room and
in the attic, or were there various voices
all over the place, each Independent OF
the other?
I fastened downstairs, but when I
reached my room no sounds We're heard
there.
While in my bedroom, had no way
of knowing if the voice in the attic was
still sounding.
The remainder of the evening spent
in rushing from my room to the attic
and back again, and quietly stealing
through the vacant rooms, in the hope
of laying hold Of some explanation of
the strange voice. I did hear it again
in the attic. but there was no sound in
my room. though I had Immediately
fastened there.
Finally I gave up the quest for the
time, and, thoroughly fatigued, un-
dressed and went to bed.
My head had hardly touched the pill
low when the report of a pistol reached
my ear. The sound was muff1ed, as
though coming from a distant apart
ment Indeed, it seemed to come from
underneath, as had the sound of the
slamming door; but yet not directly be-
meath; it would undoubtedly have
sounded much palmer had the shoot
ing taken place in the walled-up cellar
below my room.
There was no answering shot. and no
more unaccountable noises, though I
hearkened intently.
All through the night lay vainly
trying to find repose, but sleep would
not come. I was resolved to leave no
stone unturned to unravel these mys-
teries. For the events, trivial rs they
seemed and as they probably would
prove when explained. were certainly
Irritating, and threatened wholly to de-
stroy the rest and peace had expected
to find in Jacksonville.
It was exaspcrating that, besides be-
ing burdened with 4 load of guilt which,
rightfully belonged on other shoulders,
I should also be subjected to petty an
noyanccs which promised to make my
stay in jacksonville anything but peace
full. True, was my own master.
could leave the old house on the NOR
row. But to be utterly routed and
driven from the field by few harmless
though inexplicable happenings was
contrary to my nature. Then, too
Florence; how could I leave the place
now that had found my love abiding
here?
When the first rosy tints Of dawn
showed in the east, slumber closed my
weary eyes.
AS OH the previous morning. Mrs.
Snyder was compelled to arouse me for
breakfast. On the present occasion she
announced rather testify that the morn
ing meal had been waiting for over an
hour.
I could not resist the desire to begin
Investigations Immediately. and there
fore after hastily dressing I walked all