Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-04-02

L iohiai IiIleS LUZ u DiOcknOuSe-a
perfectly circular structure, formed
OF oaken logs, some 20 feet high, and
with a steep, pointed roof. At a dis
lance it had looked like an old tower
until DR.. Amberley purchased it, and
threw out rustic piazzas and bal,
comics, covered with vines. Then. il
was more picturesque than any mod.
ern villa you ever saw.
1t stood on a high hill against a
group of balsamic pines, and over
looked the green banks of a 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 pic
ture of health than his only child,
Brenda. Straight and supple as an
Indian, f~rank-cyed, glowing, and with
never a pain in her life, she
seemed the very spirit of courage and
joyous life. She was the most effec-
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-
vious 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 summertime
Round House, as it was called, was
filed 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 IA
v%orites, while her adored father rev.
eled in his favorite dishes prepared
ny 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 APP
proach of the third, Patty deserted
her post.
'The people be all gone-one of
them cold, fearsome times be accom-
in, Miss" she said to Brenda, land I'd
rather be awa'."
Pm sure the house is warm here
winters, and what in the world are
you afraid of, Patty?" asked the
young lady.
swell, 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 'lnong the sperrits."
Nonsense, ~Patty-what notions!
but If you want to go, you may. Papa
and l can get along till we get some
body else"
For Brenda was no more afraid of
homework than she wal of ''sperrits."
"Well, it's good not to be lonesome
in a lone place, Miss, I suppose. But
one might well be afraid of his life
here. For l say I'd as lief be muir
dered as frightened to DEATH"
What are you talking about, Pat
typ"
Plenty O. people in the village will
tell you, Miss, that there was a MUIR
der committed here some ten years
ago. AS likely a young nan 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 CHANGED to be
found. And that door, Miss" con-
cluded the girl, with a shudder, sit
be always an always a-clickin', es-
pecially on a dark night, when you
can't 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. 81 did not dream
you were so troubled. As you say,
you would be best away from here.
But we shall not be afraid of vista
tations-of visitations of the poor
young man. You see, we are more
strong-minded."
It's we'll We are" said the girl,
significantly; "for I've heard from
them who's seen him since he died
about this very place, a 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
ty paused, choking with awe. "Well
Patty, go pack up, and I'll take you
to the station for the last train"
and Brenda turned again to her book.
Poor Patty gladly obeyed this per-
mission, and that afternoon, with all
her goods and chattels, was put on
her way to the city.
Brenda came bowling back briskly
alone. The fine country roads were
frozen hard, and Brenda enjoyed her
own free driving.
AS she guided the pony up the hill
in the twilight, she looked up at the
Round House, with it's leafless brown
vines rafting about it, and it struck
her that the place was a little soil
tary.
AS she drew rein at the door, her
father came out, hastily pulling on q
coat, having just Invested himself OF
dressing-gown.
Brenda, my love, 7 will take care
Of Mogul."
Papa, dear, I can put him up Just
as well. You have on your slippers,
a nd fhA rr,,o.,. LH |