Newport daily independent., 1903-04-10
The Ghost of the Round House. v
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By Esther Serie Kenneth.

lonial times for a blockhouse-a perfectly circular structure, formed of oalxen logs, some 20 feet high, and with steep, pointed roof. At dis tance it had looked like an old tower until Dr. Amberley purchased it, and threw out rustic piazzas and bal comics, covered with vines. Then it wars more picturesque than any mod ern villa you ever saw.
 It stood on a high hill against q group of balsamic pines, and over- looked the green banks of rapid stream and verdant meadows. So salubrious was the situation that the doctor found it desirable to keep open house for his patients; and seldom a week passed that some languishing guest did not seek it's hospitality for the advantages it possessed, to soon bid it farewell a renewed creature.
 And there was no more perfect pie ture of health than his only child, Brenda Straight and supple as an Indian, frank-eyed, glowing, and with never a nervous pain in her life, she seemed the very spirit of courage and joyous life. She was the most etfec- tive of housekeepers, and delighted in receiving company under their ro- mantle roof.
 Having no mother, she was mis- tress of her fathers house, his com panion and pet. Several years pre- yious they had come out of the city, and chosen this house, wherein to give free scope to the powers of both.
 Part of the year-all summer-the Round House, as it was called, was filled to overfowing with the doctors patients and personal friends. But when winter and it's severest weather came, the family, so deep in the coun- try, were left mostly to themselves. But Brenda was still brightly happy and busy as a bee. She read all the new books to keep abreast with her literary friends, practiced songs, and embroidered gifts for her many fa- vorites, while her adored father rev eled in his favorite dishes prepared by her own fair hands.
 During these quiet, happy seasons, they never kept but one servant, a stout maid-of-all-work, whose name was Patty. They had brought her from the city, and she had spent two winters with them; but on the ap- proach of the third, Patty deserted her post.
 .Ths -peap1g be a11 gone--one of them cold, fearsome times be accom- in' Miss" she said to Brenda, and I'd rather be ava"
 Pm sure the house is warm here winters, and what in the world are you afraid of, Patty?" asked the young lady.
 ''Well, there be no use saying fear to the likes of you, Miss Brenda" :" answered the girl. You're always ready to laugh and fiirt ava such talk, but the Round House is set so high on the hill, the winds go a-talkin round it O nights. It's like bein' up in heaven 'mong the sperrits.'
 Nonsense, Patty-what notions! But if you want to go, you may. Papa and can get along till we get some body else"
 For Brenda was no more afraid of homework than she was of "sperrits." :"
 Well, it's good not to be lonesome in lone place, Miss, I suppose. But one might we'll be afraid of his life here. For l say I'd as lief be mur- dered as frightened to death."
 What are you talking about, Pat ty?"
 "Plenty O people in the village will tell you, Miss, that there was mur- der committed here some ten years ago. As likely young man as could be, who was spending the night here alone, was murdered by some enemy following him and coming upon him unawares just as he was a-crossin' the threshold; an there he lay dead at the door three days an three nights before he was chanced to be found. And that door, Miss" con- cluded the girl, with a shudder, "it be always an always a-cicllin', es- pecially on dark night, when you cant see what does it. 1 allus sleep with my head covered up, so as not to hear it."
 Poor Patty!" said Brenda, after a moments thought. 'I did not dream you were so troubled. As you say, you would be best away from here, But we shall not be afraid of visita- tations-ot visitations of the poor young man, You see, we are more strong minded"
 Its we'll ye are" said the girl, significantly; flor I've heard from them who's seen him since he died about this very place, tryin' to get in, Miss, with a streak of blood on his neck"
 Oh! what a regular ghost-story!' cried Brenda, half laughing, as Pat ". paused, choking with awe. Well, Patty, go pack up, and I'll take you to the station for the last train, '' nnd Brenda turned acain tO her hook