Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-05-10
CHAPTER V.

At this stage of the reading Mrs
Cowley. who had been listening in per-
feet agony of fear, suddenly found
strength to rebel.
Rose. shut that book instantly"
she exclaimed mo, Mr. Cowley,
will not sit and hear such things, I've
got a creeping down my back already.
and my arms are all goose flesh; and
| wouldn't hear the rest of it if you
gave ME five thousand pounds
Rose closed the book Her father
did not object, and drew his chair clos
er to the fire. and glanced nervOusly
over his shoulder as he did so. Cath
arine looked very pale, though she
made no remark, and Rose was salts
fed. 1t was pleasure. if a malicious
one, to think that not one Of them all
would dare go up stairs in the dark
at that moment any more than she
would. And she felt quite sure that
if the lady in grey without eyes" came
to her bedside that night. Catharine's
couch would by nc means remain un-
visited
There was a short silence, broken
by the sound of rapid scuffiing step
in the hall They looked at each other
somewhat timidly, and Mrs. Cowley
gave a little yelp of terror when the
parlor door was flung violently open.
But noting worse than Mrs. Mccarthy
stood there; Mrs. Mccarthy no longer
rudy and laughing, but pale and
frightened, as she had once vowed she
never corld be.
81 wish you would step this way,
SIR she said, addressing Mr.. Cowley.
eagerly. Something queer has hap
pened ont there ?
Oh gracious. the ghost, the ghost"
screamed Mrs Cowley
mo, ma am, at least. nothing that
you can see. But it isn't exactly i'm
proving to the spirits to sit and hear
it all by ones self Do come out. sir.
and listen"
Mr.. Cowley went. The rest, seized
with a sudden panic. ran after him.
Mrs. Mccarthy led the way to the
kitchen, where she had been sitting
reading Love and Revenge, or The
Bandits Vengeance and the Maiden's
Choice by the light of two tallow
candles and blazing fire large enough
TO roast an OK. Mr.. Cowley looked
round curiously, so did the girls. cling
ing very close to their mother all the
while
'Hark!' said Mrs. Mccarthy, hold
ing up her finger; there it is again"
They listened with bated breath.
From behind a closed door on the
right hand side of the kitchen came a
strange, continuous sound.
The rocking of a cradle, by Jove,"
said Mr.. Cowley. And Mrs. Mccarthy
nodded assent.
Some COMPOUNDED tricks. Have you
opened the door,"
81 tried, SIR
"Well?"
1T would not come OPEN"
why not?"
1T is nailed up, sir
Didn't tell you 500" exclaimed Mr.
Cowley, gaining fresh courage from
| this circumstance. Some rascal has
! got in there to brighten us out of the
| place, so he can carry on his usual
| games with impunity. Give me the
hammer, Mrs. Mccarthy, and I'll break
the door open. I'll cradle the fellow
with vengeance. / wonder if one
of you would have pluck enough to
go for my pistol?"
I'll co." said Rose. growing very
brave in the belief that a trick was
being played upon them. She was not
afraid of anything human, even though
1t came in the shape of masked bur
glar at midnight, and she ran and
brought the pistol, without giving
thought as to anything that might still
be lurking on the stairs.
When she got back her father had
finished his task. and was just about
to open the door, Still the cradle
rocked increasingly. He babe Mrs. Ma
earthly bring light and took that in
one hand and the pistol in the other.
Mrs. Cowley and Catharine shivered
In the background brt Mrs. Mccarthy
and Rose stood stoutly on the other
side of the door. eager to get the first
peep at the mysterious room.
Now, you fellow, who ever you may
be. give you fair warning," called
out Mr.. Cowley in a loud voice.
Still the cradle rocked.
81 have got a loaded pistol in my
hand and the moment 1 catch sight Of
you shall fire."
Still the cradle rocked.
do you hear me, you scamp? I'll
teach you to cut these capers here"
Still the cradle rocked.
81 shall count three," roared Mr.
Cowley, getting into rage, "and then
l shall fire."
Still the cradle rocked.
Zone"
Still the cradle rocked.
Two"
Still the cradle rocked
Three"
Still the cradle rocked; and, for the
first time they heard distinctly d