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


one, when she looked up at the fast
3sed door. and the blank range of
dusty Windows. Mrs. Cowley groan d
again. The place was even worse than
She thought, and she was wicked
enough 10 pray secretly for a fit of Tie
sout, or a smart twinse OF lumbag2.
sich should lay her lord and master
Fat on his back. and thus enable her
10 take him to Brighton-to town.
eveE-rather than 70 this modern
Castle OF Udolpho." which sh cked
her almost more by its outward dirt
and discomfort thar by the ghostly
tenants which it held within.
Now. my dear, Iet me help you.
Jump out, Rose. and see which of us
VIII find the haunted chamber first, -
said Mr.. Cowley, coming to the door
OF the fly his round, red face beaming
With delight at the evident trepida-
ton o. MS wife and eldest daughter
Jump ont and see how you like your
future home. You are as good as the
lady OF the manor now, Mrs. c. What
10 You think OF that? Did you ever
expect 10 attain TO such dignity. even
IN your widest dreams of the future p"
/ certainly never expected to come
10 such a place as this. said Mrs.
CowleT, piteously. as she left the ny.
Queer old den. isn't it, my love?"
Very queer."
But | dare say you will like il in
time 1t is a fine airy place, can see.
Catharine, You Will have cheeks like
cabbage-roses in no time"
Papa, you cannot think of living
here. said that young lady in dismay.
Cant |, my dear? But | do, and
for this very reason-the world is get
ting far too romantic anu fanciful to
suit me. What with spiritualists and
table-turning. and men who float in
the air, and men who see things in a
crystal and haunted houses, and see.s
who make almanacs and all the rest OF
it. England seems to be going stark
mad. | used to give my cOuntrymen
a little credit for common sense. but I
can scarcely recognize them now. and
| hold that any one who makes a firm
stand against this new-fangled non
sense is a public benefactor. | mean
TO do it. and to make you do it too
For lis reason | take this house,
which the silly idiots about here say
is haunted. Not one among them dare
come near the place. III 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. Chests. indeed. | have no
patience with such nonsense.
But. papa, if they come? 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
EMMY and Rose burst out laughing.
But, papa" said Catharine, the
house is SO DAMP"
Damp? Nonsense, 1t is as dry as
a bone. Don't you see that it stands
on the top of Il hill? How could the
water get up here, should lika to
know"
1 am sure it does, and you will have
lumbagc and mamma rheumatism and
Rose Il sore throat and | perpetual
influenza. Dear papa, do give up this
sche me ard take us 10 Brighton in
stead"
oh, yes, think l see myself doing
IT. was the grim reply Take you
to Brighton to wear a pork pie hat
on The sands. and show your ank es on
the pier. No Brighton for you at pres
ent. miss. You will stay here and do
your fellow-countrymen a service. if
You please. by disabusine their minds
of stupid prejudice, by means OF your
own experience. Driver. have you got
the key to this doOr?'
Here it is, sir, said the man. Bat
he fell to the rear after presenting it.
He was lad of nineteen and had
heard too much of the place not TO
keep at a respectful distance during
the first moment of investigation.
This lock has not been oiled since
the year - said Mr. Cowley. putting
and blowing as ne tried to turn The
key. Hang the thing. how it sticks.
Bear hand here. my good fellow, will
YOU Hallo,"
The key turned suddenly as he
spoke. the lock yielded, and the door
flew open with such violence that Nj.
Cowley landed on his nose in the hall
Seeing this, his wife forgo; her ars
and ran TO pick him up. Rose and
Catharine followed, and so at last they
stood together beyond the threshold of
the haunted house While Mrs. Cowlev
and Catherine were helping the head
OF the family to his feet, Rose gaZed
around her with breathless awe. half
expecting each moment to see some
dim shade approaching to wave them
away. But no one came. All was
still and quiet They stood within q
small, square hall. very dusty and
dirty and lighted only by the fanight
over the door. a worn mat covered
the moor, there was small iron stove
in the center of the hall. and. leaning
against it a curiously carved walking
stick, resembling the wand of magi-
clan rather than the ordinary cane Of a
gentleman in the nineteenth century.
Rose took this in her hand. but quickly
laid IL down. 1t did not seem "canny
to hold ii. though why she could net
say.
Mr. COwley rubbed his head fel. his
nose carefully all over, and pronounced
himself quite sound