The Holly chieftain., 1901-05-17


nodded assent.
Some confoundsd tricks. Havs you
opened the door!"
IT tried, SIR :.
"We.if"
"It would not come opsn.r -
why not!'
at IL nailed up. ~. =. ~,
.'pHdn't I tai yoa sof'' exclaimed xr.
Cowley. gaining fresh coufase fruan
this circumstance. some rascal has
got In thsfs to 1righten Us out Of the
plarss 20 he can carry ON his usual
xAmes with impunity. Give me the
hammer. Mrs. Macarthy. and I'll break
the door open. IN cradle the fellow
with . vengeance. wonder II one
OF you would have pluck enough to
go for my plstol!'
"I'll CO." said Rose, growing very
brave in the belief that = trick was
being played upon them. She was mot
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 a. to anything that might still
be lurking on the stairh
When she got back her father had
finished his task. and was Just about
to open t--e door. Still the cradle
rocked INCREASINGLY. He bade 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 but 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, l give you fair warming called
out Mr. Cowley in loud voice.
Still the cradle rocked.
Il have got loaded pistol in my
hand aud the moment catch sight Of
you j shall fire.
Still the cradle rocked. t.s
do you hear me, you scamp! I'll
teach you to cut these capers heIs."
Still the cradle rocked.
II shall count three!" roared Mr..
Cowley. getting into rage, and then
shall fre."
Stlll the craQle rocked.
"One."
Still the cradle rocked.
Two"
Still the cradle rocked
Three"
Still the cradle rocked; and, for the
first time they heard distinctly u
sweet female voice, as II singing to
child within.
"oh, graclous!" screamed Mrs Cow
ley.
Mr.. Cowley looked aghast, but quick
ly recovered himself. 3'
Another trick but. you shan't fright
en- me with your confounded nonsense.
Stand back. all Of you. Here goes!"
He gave the door tremendous kick,
which sent 1t flying from the hinges.
At the same instant he fired.
And still, when the echo Of the shot
had died away. they heard the self
same noise. the self-same cradle song.
Mr.. Cowley entered the room, and
held the light high above his head. 1t
was small closet. like buffers pan
try. with no window, no other mode of
ingress or egress than the door. 1t
was impossible for anyone to escape,
nor was there a single living thing in
the place except himself. Yet the era
die rocked. and the song. was sung
while he stood there, almost at his
very feet. ,s
He stepped back into the kitchen,
looking very pale. feeling very sick
and faint.
Rose caught him by the arm.
"Oh, papa!" she whispered, with
white lips, "the place is haunted, and
we were very wrong to come. What
shall we do? Loot at mamma"
1t was. indeed. time to do SO, for
Mrs Cowley lay in strong Mysteries up
on the kitchen floor. Catharine had
tainted, and Mrs. Mccarthy was bend
ing over them both. alternately admin
istering restoratives. Mr.. Cowley raised
his wife in his arms: Rose and Mrs.
Mccarthy supported Catharine between
them.
And as they left the haunted room
the cradle was still rocking. the low
nursery song still sounding in their
ears! ="
Ito be Continued.)
Old Trinity Gsnsaloeiss.