The Lamar register., 1901-05-01

Il shall have rheumatic fever. I
know. Mr.. Cowley will never be mad
enough to live here. The house is like
WE'LL" .I.l .ll.4I
Don't fear, mamma" replied Cath
arine with an air of composed certain
ty 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
stomachs come in question"
As she spoke, they drew up before
their new home, and even Rose was
obliged to confess in her own heart
that it might have been pleasanter
one. when she looked up at the fast
closed door, and the blank range OF
dusty windows. Mrs. Cowley groaned
again. The place was even worse than
she thought, and she was wicked
enough to pray secretly for fit of the
gout, or smart twinge of lumbago,
which should lay her lord and master
to take him to Brighton-to town,
even-rather than to this modern
Castle of Udolpho," which shocked
her almost more by its outward dirt
and discomfort than by the ghostly
tenants which it held within.
Now, my dear, let me help you.
Jump out, Rose, and see which OF us
will 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-
tion OF his wife and eldest daughter.
Jump out and see how you like your
future home. You are as good as the
lady of the manor now, Mrs. C. What
do you think of that? Did you ever
expect to attain to such dignity, even
in your widest dreams Of the future?"
II certainly never expected to come
to such place as this" said Mrs.
Cowley, piteously, as she left the fly.
Queer old den, isn't 1t, my lover"
"very queer!"
But dare say you will like it 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 l do, and
for this very reason-the world is get
ting far too romantic and 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 seers
who make almanacs and all the rest of
1t, England seems to be going stark
mad. used to give my countrymen
little credit for common sense, but l
can scarcely recognize them now. and
l hold that any one who makes firm
stand against this new-fangled non
sense is a public benefactor. mean
to do it, and to make you do 1t too.
For this reason l take this house.
which the silly idiots about here say
Is haunted. Not one among them dare
come near the place. I'll 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. Ghosts, indeed, have no
patience with such nonsense!"
But, papa, If they Gomez 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
emnIy and Rose burst out laughing.
But, papa said Catharine. the
house is so damp!' o. @2
Damp? Nonsense! 1t is as dry as
a bone. Don't you see that it stands
lf
water get up here, should like to
| know?"
Il am sure 1t does, and you will have
lumbagc and mamma rheumatism and
Rose sore throat and perpetual
influenza. Dear papa, do give up this
scheme and take us to Brighton in
stead!"
"Oh, yes, think 1 see myself doing
it," was the grim reply. Take you
| to Brighton to wear a pork-pie hat
on the sands. and show your ankles on
the pier! No Brighton for you at pres
ent, miss. You will stay here and do
your fellow-countrymen a service, il
you please, by disabusing their minds
of stupid prejudice, by means of your
own experience. Driver, have you got
the key to this door?" tfs
Here it is, SIR said the man. But
he fell to the rear after presenting it.
He was a 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 Il" said Mr.. Cowley, putting
and blowing as he tried to turn the
key. Hang the thing, how 1t sticks!