The Holly chieftain., 1901-05-03

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yourself 1t all about It.
Don't be too certain" remarked
Rose. Il was talking with papa this
morning about 1t. and I asked what
was to be done II the place should turn
out damp and cold. What do you
think his answer was!"
Why. that In such case We could
MT stop. of course"
mot . bit Of It," replied the mis-
chievous girl. Papa said that he
thought We were all apt to pamper
ourselves too much and that It would
do ~ good to miss few Injuries and
comforts for time"
Mrs. Cowley groaned
Il shall have rheumatic fever, 1
know. Mr.. Cowley will never be mad
enough to live here. The house is like
. we'll"
Don't fear, mamma" replied Cath
arine. with an air Of composed certain
ty that was peculiarly provoking to
Rose. by the time papa has had to
go without breakfast and dinner once
or twice. because the chimney will not
draw. he will be ready enough to go
away. Men may be stoics and ascot
les and philosophers in theory easily
enough. But all their fine doctrines
go to the wall. observe, when their
stomachs come in question"
As she spoke. they drew up before
their new home. and even Rose was
obliged to confess In her own heart
that 1t might have been pleasanter
one. when she looked up at the fast
closed door, and the blank range of
dusty windows. Mrs Cowley groaned
again. The place was even worse than
she thought, and she was wicked
enough to pray secretly for At Of the
gout. or smart twinge Of lumbago,
which should lay her lord and master
fiat on his back. and thus enable her
To take him to Brighton-to town,
even-rather than to this modern
Castle of Udolpho," which shocked
her almost more by its outward dirt
and discomfort than by the ghostly
tenants which 1t held within.
Nov. my dear, let me help you.
Jump out, Rose. and see which of us
Will md the haunted chamber first"
said Mr. Cowley, coming to the door
of the ny, his round. red face beaming
with delight at the evident trepida-
tion Of his wife and eldest daughter.
Jump out and see how you like your
future home. You are as good as the
lady Of the manor now, Mrs. G.. What
do you think Of that? Did you ever
expect to attain to such dignity, even
In your widest dreams of the future?"
Il certainly never expected to come
to such place as this" said Mrs.
Cowley, piteously, as she left the fly.
Queer old den. isn't 1t, my lover"
very queer!" =,
But dare say you will like 1t In
time. 1t is a ine airy place. can see.
Catharine, you will have cheeks like
cabbage-roses in no time"
Papa. you cannot think Of Lying,
here!" said that young lady In dismay.
Cant /, my dear? But / do, and
for this very reason-the world is get
ting TAR too romantic and fanciful to
suit me. What with spiritualists and
table-turning, and men who fioat in
the air, and men who see things in a
crystal. and haunted houses, and seers
who make almanacs and all the rest OF
1t. England seems to be going stark
mad. used to give my countrymen
little credit for common sense, but
can scarcely recognize them now. and
hold that any one who makes firm
stand against this new-fangled nom
sense is public benefactor. l mean
to do 1t, and to, make you do 1t too.
For this reason take this house,
which the silly idiots about here say
il haunted. Not one among them dare
come near the place. I'll show them
that I'm not afraid to live here. And
then, perhaps, they will come to their
senses again. and learn that people in
the other world are glad enough to get
quit Of this. Ghosts, indeed, have no
patience with such nonsense!"
But. papa, II they GOMEZ! suggested
Rose. with timid glance at the close
shut house.
IF they do. I'll pinch their noses
with the tongs!" said Mr.. Cowley, SOL
emnly, and Rose burst out laughing.
But, papa" said Catharine, the
house is 30 damp!"
"Damp7 Nonsense! It is a. dry ~
bone. Don't you see that 1t stands
ON the top Of = hillf How could the
water ret up here, should like to