Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-04-26

assure you. But you are cleF y
man, Grimes, and one can't 50 fer
wrong in taking your advice"
Thank you, sir. And now that
business is Well off your mind. lets
drink the health of the newcomers,
and wish them a happy home at Hol-
low Ash Hall"
Both laughed as they drank the
toast. Then the agent rose. buttoned
his coat and turned to the door. The
landlord saw him out. and after bid
ling him good night, stood looking out
beyond the town, at the hill, where the
lonely house was standing, dark,
silent and grim
Hollow Ash Hall lett" he MUIR
INJURED as he went back to the bar once
more. Well, that is a so, and no
mistake. l wonder how soon it Will
be empty?"
CHAPTER II.
So the thing was accomplished. The
haunted house was let.
The next day all Banley knew the
tale by heart. The bankers name was
Cowley. and the young lady who
wished to see the ghost was Miss Rose
Cowley, a pretty, fair, little creature,
who looked as # she would shrek and
run away il a mouse crossed her path.
Her elder sister Catherine Miss Cow
ley was a tail. dark-haired girl, with
a high color and flashing black eyes
b. far the most proper person. one
would say, 10 encounter q denizen OF
the other world But she did not ap-
prove OF the project, and shuddered al
the very name OF the Hall. Mrs. Cow
ley, fat. fair and forty, took the mat
ter easily, though in her heart she con-
sidered It tempting OF Providence.
But she said nothing. She was de-
votedly attached TO her stout. good
tempered husband, and hal he chosen
% walk into the crater of Vesuvius. l
think she would have given one sigh
70 old England, and followed meekly
in his wake.
Mr. Cowley. having made himself
master Of the Hall. was not long in
paying It a visit. He took his family
with him. and though they went in
broad daylight. their carriage was es-
corted 10 the Very lodge gates by
select troop Of rOsy-cheeked children,
who stared at Rose as if she had been
The Dragon of Wan1ley IN person.
Only to the gates, however. did this
youthful bOdyguard venture. When
the driver got down and lifted the
rusty bolt from its socket the first
creak dispersed the rabble like magic.
4 dire vision of Queen Bess in ruff
and farthingale, coming down the ave
nue. 10 meet those who sought to en-
Ter, affrighted them: and with one ac-
cord they set OF a. full speed toward
the village. never daring to look be-
hind them. or TO slacken their pace I'M
I'll they We're safe once more at their
own mothers sides.
Rose COwley watched this exodus
with laughing eyes; but her mother
and sister looked as if they would
gladly have followed the example of
the children. and taken TO their heels
as well.
Mercy preserve Us" said Mrs.
Cowley, looking up at the Hall. WHO
would have believed it was such dis
NAL place? Why. yesterday from thu
road it seemed pleasant"
Dismal. mammal" said Rose. Il
think it is anthing but that Romantic.
solitary, lonely, if you will, but surely
not dismal"
1t is only fit for rats and owls to live
in said Catharine. with a look OF in
tense disgust. What could papa be
thinking of when he took it without
even paying a visit to the place? How
ever. there is one cOmfOrt-he likes
snug, warm rooms as well as any of
US; and the first glance at the interior
of the old shell will be sure to olsen
chant him. We shall never live here,
mamma: so you need not distress
yourself at all about it."
Don't be too certain" remarked
Rose. II was talking with papa his
morning about it, and 1 asked what
was to be done if the place should turn
out damp and cold. What do you
think his answer wasp
Why. that in such a case We could
mt stop, of course
Not a bit of it," replied the mis-
chfevous girl. Papa said that he
thought We were all apt to pamper
ourselves too much and that it would
do us good to miss few luxuries and
comforts for a time"
Mrs. Cowley groaned
Il shall have rheumatic fever. I
know Mr.. Cowley will never be mad
enough to live here The house is like
a we'll"
Don't fear, mamma" replied Cath
arine, with an air of composed certain
~ 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
etomachs come in question"