The Lamar register., 1901-06-12

ut was human voice!" said Mrs.
Cowley, Indignantly. "The idea OF
trying to explain 1t in that way!
never heard of anything SO absurd In
all my life! Did the agent offer you
any refreshment. my dear?"
Mr.. Cowley wagged his head good
humoredly.
81 see what you are driving at; but
l was never more sober in my life,
Mrs. C. And we'll have the floor up
tomorrow, and you shall see If. during
the rest of the year, We hear anything
more of the cradle"
Mrs. Cowley held her peace. Expe-
rience had taught her that argument
in a case like this would be OF no use.
But If In her heart she had harbored
any little sweet scruple as to the pro-
priety of the plan by which the young
people intended to dislodge her lord
and master from the strange home he
had chosen, 1t vanished from that hour
and she stood as deeply committed to
the ghost scheme as any one among
them all.
Where is Rose?" asked Mr.. Cow
ley. looking up suddenly.
Mrs. Cowley blushed up to the eyes.
"She-she is upstairs. think. Do
you want her?"
= "Yes: have brought her book.
AS she is SO very fond Of ghost stories
l bought her the most horrible thing
1 could find in that way. 1t will serve
to pass away her evenings very pleas
antly this winter"
At that moment Rose entered. look
ing peculiarly we'll satisfied with her
self. and everything in general.
"a book for me, papa? Now that Is
kind"
Mr.. Cowley grinned to himself over
his toddy.
you'll be charmed with it. There
is a picture on the first page. enough
to turn any ones hair white"
I'll look at it directly" said Rose.
laying 1t down upon the table. But
papa. how could you leave US SO long
alone this evening? That cradle has
been rocking SO dreadfully all the
time!"
Rats. my dear. Nothing In the
world but rats"
"I wonder what you would do If
you saw a ghost. papa real ghost!'
What I told you once before-I
would pinch his nose with the tongs.'
81 should like to see you tried!"
''Pah! 1t is all nonsense. my dear.
Ghosts are an exploded theory. For
my part, I have SO little faith in theIn
that I would not in the least mind
staying here in the old house by my
self all night long"
AS he spoke the hall clock struck
twelve. and Rose gave her mother Il
peculiar glance.
"Oh, how dreadful! This is just tho
time when ghosts go their rounds.
Do let us all go to bed or we shall be
sure to see one"
eyes, let us go to bed at once" sail
Mrs. Cowley. rising from her chair.
AS a matter of course. their end was
gained. for Mr.. Cowley was seized with
o fit of obstInacy upon the spot. They
knew well that snothing would induce
him to stir from the spot till he had
finished his gin and water and smoked
his cigar.
go to bed. all Of you," he said be-
nignantly. I'm not afraid to stop
here by myself. and shall come up
before you are fairly asleep"
Mrs. Cowley and her two daughters
left the room. The bright face of
Rose was sparkling with mischief and
laughter; and the instant the door
shut behind her she caught her moth
er's hand and whispered joyously.
Mamma, you need be under no con-
cern. He will not want to stop here
long after tonight. You never saw
two such horrible objects as Charles
and Marjorie have made of themselves
with my help and Mrs. Macarthy's.
Come and see them before you go into
hour own room to wait for him.
Mrs. Cowley and Catharine followed
her into the turret chamber. Though
they had been warned to expect n
chastity sight. neither OF them could
help staring and well-nigh crying out
when they saw the figures that stood
in the center of the room.
One was a nun dressed in the flow
ing black robes of a Sister of Mercy,
with her hands bound tightly together,
and clasped above her breast. Her
face was white as death-and from the
right temple deep crimson strain ran
down toward the chin. The contrast
between the pallor of her face and the
bright blood stain were CHASTITY in the
extreme. On her left hand stood a
stalwart black man, clad in flowing
robes of the purest white. Mrs. Cow
Iey's best dressing gown had been
pressed into this service. and about his
swarthy brow was folded a turban.
consisting of several yards of India
muslin, on which she set great store.
In his hands he held rusted dagger.
which Rose had hunted up in her ex-
ploring tours through the house. His
height seemed almost terrific. cir
cumstance soon explained when she
shnWed the false soles and heels he