Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-12-19

4 w DsF
Speak, latu What has happenedr'
two years., but the window was shut,
the blind down. tapped loudly on
the glass and then passed on to the
back door. Trying the handle, failed
to open 1t. l knocked; no answer. /
knocked loudly; beat the panels with
my open hands; even used the toe of
my boot. But there came no patter of
feet, no unbolting Of locks. The echo
sounded drearily for moment and
then all was still.
And now the fear which had already
seized me paralyzed for moment or
two both limbs and intellect, and a
horror Of which could not grasp the
meaning turned me cold to the finger
tips. I seemed intuitively to guess that
was face to face with some dire ca
lamity, and yet could form no con-
ception Of what 1t really was. only
know that my inner eye gazed upon an
inner chaos. and that the sight was SO
appalling that it froze every drop of
blood in my veins. My uncle's voice
calling awoke me from the stupor, and
like one in dream moved to COM
plete the circuit of the house. But as
I passed the scullery window noticed
that 1t was not locked. though 1t had
been fastened tightly. The catch, press
ed against the pane, was plainly visi-
Bile above the sash. leaned against
the sill and raised the window, and in
a voice which startled even myself, 1t
was so full Of fear, cried out: Moth
er, mother! Janet, Janetg But never
sound came back. Then dreadful
shuddering seized me. and l felt the
nerves tingle right up my back to my
brain. Had seen ghost on dark
night could not have been smitten
with greater dread.
Keeling back ! made my way round
to the front Of the house and tried to
cry out to my uncle. but my tongue
clave to the roof of my mouth. felt
as though should never speak again.
Good heavens, Davie," he cried, see
ing my white face. what is the matter
with you" and almost before knew
what had happened he had sprung
from the cart, opened the gate and was
holding my face up to his.
Speak, ladl' he continued excitedly,
his face full Of anxiety. What has
happened? What have you seenY
Nothing" said. But they do not
answer-and The scullery windsw is
Open"
Realizing at once the Importance Of
this apparently trivial statement, he
dashed round to the back of the house,
at his heels. He knocked as did,
but with n like result. He shouted
through the open window. but only the
echo of his voice came back. and this
smote upon his heart and lined with
nxiety III; flee.
"Davie,' he said, II fear something
has happened Don't blub," as clutch
ed aim by the arm and turned ter
rifird face UP to his. ut may be moth
ing much. We shall see. Are you
afraid to 60 in through that window
and open the back door for me?'
was, but l had some pride, SO /
gasped out, mo"
"Good lad" and he patted me en-
couragingly on the back. "Come here
and Will help you. There's nothing
to be afraid of" he added consolingly.
Your mother and the girl have evil
IDENTIFY gone out together. We viii get
in and wait until they return. Now,
then, one, two and up"
The window was some five feet from
the ground, but with his aid quickly
scrambled across the Sill and peered
into the room. Reassured by what i
saw. which was the scullery in Its
usual state OF perfect tidiness, got
through the window with little diff
Guilty and let myself down upon the
table which stood beneath. Then, with
nothing more than q hurried glance
about me, l dashed through the kitch-
en-, out into the passage and opened
the back door. My Uncle Jim imme.
diately entered.
For moment he seemed to hesitate,
looking about him for some sign or
token. Then he went along the pas
sage to the front Of the house calling
loudly, but receiving no reply sprane
to the stairs and without a word
mounted to my mothers room. Ar
irving there, he stopped for moment
or two and contemplated the closed
door: then he knocked gently thereon
No reply coming he knocked louder
louder, and then he turned the handle.
Peeping behind him. saw that the
room was still shrouded in gloom, the
blinds being closely drawn. he called
her by name, but his voice sounded
hollow and ghostly as 1t circled round
and round the oppressive chamber. Nc
sound came from the bed, no move
ment. He turned and drew up the
blind and let food of light into the
dark room, and as it lit up the bed
saw 1t fall upon a tress OF my mothers
hair. which dropped back over the pill
low. she was lying tnere enveioped u
the counterpane, her form clearly out
lined Deneath the clothes; put she wal
30 sun, SO dreadfully stili.