Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-29

for Olivia. Something had frightened
her. Cad, would he never find door?
He did finally, and CROPPED his way.
through 1T into the large dark central
hall. Absolute silence enwrapped the
house. He tiptoed across the hall to
put an ear to the keyhole of Olivia's
door,
Everything was quiet inside. He
had distinct recollection of how dis
mally that particular door creaked
and groaned on it's hinges. 1t would
be scarcely worth while to arouse Oh
lie just to tell her that she had had a
nightmare. Doubtless she had been
dreaming Of the runaway or perhaps of
the many who had died in this gloomy
old house. Personally he found it a
most depressing spot.
The soft thud of slippered feet broke
the deathlike stiffness. CHANGING nery-
ously over his shoulder he saw Tom,
fully dressed, advancing with light
ed candle held high over his head.
Hello, Mr.. Matthewsw
"Well, Thomas?"
Il thought heard a noise, scream
''How many timesY'
"Only once"
Il heard it too. I imagine Olivia has
been having bad dreams"
But it came from down stairs. NV
room is Immediately over the library.
you know.
a clammy sweat broke out on the
lawyers forehead and believed the
backs of his hands.
"A-h-er, what do you make of ii.
Thomas?" he asked nervously.
Nothing at all until I investigate
1t. am going down stairs. Will you
come with me?"
'Why-well, yes, Of course if you
think it worth while. But 1 am quite
sure it came from my daughters room.
She is sleeping very quietly now, and
l do not care to open her door because
it creaks so internally
He had much to do to keep his teeth
from chattering and displayed no con-
spicuous ardor for the expedition. Tom
advanced resolutely toward the stair
case
II think shall feel better satisfied
for looking the house over"
He was strongly minded to tell his
guardian of the unpleasant experience
that had befallen him on the memora-
BILE watch night His guardian had an
! equally strong impulse to give his ex-
perience on the eve of Ollie's fete.
Nothing came, however, of the fleeting
| molina tim M, oitbny c;1a
Thomas proceeded to descend the
steps with his candle held high. Mat
thews promised to follow as soon. ais
he could get into his dressing gown.
The gown proved elusive, and his
progress was slow.
Presently a cry scarcely less star
thing than the one that had broken up
his sound slumber assembled from the
| floor below. 1t was in Tom Broxton's
| voice.
collie, Olivia, what on earth are you
doing down there? BY Jove, she is in
q dead faint! Mr.. Matthews, here,
| quick" Before he had time to place
his candle on the table his guardian
was in the room looking like a man
who has received his deathblow.
| There, in a heap on the floor, her
shining hair falling in thick mass
over her pallid face and closed eyes,
lay Olivia. Her father gathered her
to his heart with frightened cry and
laid her on sofa.
Tom lighted gas jet and rushed
toward the dining room in search Of
water. Every receptacle was empty,
of course. The outdoor cisterns We're
his only hope When he got back
Olivia had regained consciousness, but
was sobbing and clinging to her ia
theirs neck with frightened clutch
Her eyes were wide with terror, and
short irrepressible shudders ran over
her. body visibly every few seconds.
She was pleading excitedly with her
father.
Take me home, father; take ME
away now, this very minute. papa
You know did not want to stay. Oh,
horrible, horrible!'
Tom held a glass of water to her
quivering lips. His face was scarcely
less pale than hers.
Drink this water, Ollie, dear. and
then tell us what has frightened YOU
See, / will light every gas jet. in the
house so as to show you that you have
been frightened by nibbling mouse,
and will stay down stairs to keep the
mice quiet all the rest Of the night ii
only you won't say anything more
about going home at midnight"
She drank the water eagerly. Then
finding her courage come back with
the companionship of the men and the
illumination of the house, she said
more steadily:
"As if could be frightened by a
mouse! You are very good, Tom, to a
most troublesome guest am sorry |
was SO ugly to you this afternoon. But
don't want to stay" She shivered
and chung closer to her father. "Oh
father, father, it was SO frightful. Sc
distinct! will never, never, get over
itw
"Get over what, Olivia? insist up.
on your calming yourself sufficiently