The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-06-29

ghost could be guilty o!
To~ making such an unearthiy
sound"
"Nonsensew. replied my sister Hattie,
with little, nervous laugh. Its only
the wind, or mouse stirring there"
Hattie glanced apprehensively over
her shoulder in the direction indicated,
quite white and startled
How foolish it was of us to think of
staying two whole nights in this great
old house alone! / wish Cousin Jack
were here, for if ghost were really to
make its appearance what should we
ever do?'
II am not so much afraid of ghosts
troubling us as am of robbers. Thank
heaven, all the doors are locked. and no
one can get in without our hearing
them," said I.
During the absence of our parents,
who had gone to visit sick relative
living in neighboring town, my sister
home and take charge of affairs until
their return. The only person besides
ourselves in the house-a great. ramb-
ling old structure, with many chimneys
and gables and dweatherstained porches
was female domestic, who slept in
q remote chamber on the first floor. We
went up to our room early in the even
ing, for we felt little timid in spite of
the often expressed assertion that we
Were not bit afraid.
The silver was kept in a small safe
in my mothers apartments, which CON-
municated with ours and could not be
reached otherwise without going
through long hall, the door of which
was both locked and bolted on the in
side. Tie noise that had so startled US
was unlike anything l had ever before
heard-a kind of stealthy, uncertain
rustling, as if made unintentionally
and entirely against the will of what
eyer or whoever it was that occasioued
it.
Naturally courageous, and accus-
toned to acting as we'll as thinking for
myself, 1 arose, locked the door.
dropped the shade, and took a look
around the room. No sign Of either
ghost or robber was to be seen.
"a brave pair We are, must say"
said l, taking volume of Scott's
poems from the table and beginning to
read aloud from the Lay of the Last
Minstrel" but I had scarcely read
three lines before the same low,
strange rustling sound was heard
again.
Hattie quickly turned and looked in
quiringly at the big closet in the cor
ner, the door of which stood partly
open. A large, old fashioned oak chest
was in one corner. and above it hung
dresses. skirts. wraps and ladies' ap-
parels of all kinds.
1T must surely be mouse, Grace,
for there can't be anything else in the
closet" said Hattie, in frightened
whisper.
got up and flung the closet door
wide open and gave the skirts a vigor-
Gus shake. I even mounted the old
chest and took a prolonged survey OF
the upper shelves, moving bonnet
boxes and shawls and everything
within my reach, but mouse there was
none, nor any indication that one had
ever been there.
1T is very odd" observed Hattie. in
a low tone, noting anxiously the result
of my search. II wonder is there truly
are any such things as spirits?'
"Of course not. We are only little
nervous, for there is really nothing
here" and / gave the skirts another
shake by way of adding point to my
words.
Hattie said no more and I resumed
my seat, firmly determined not to again
allow my fears to get the better Of my
reason.
Hattie, after while, said she would
90 to bed, and might have Scott ant
the ghost all to myself. But it wa!
rather lonely sitting up all alone, so
thought the wisest thing l could dt
was to follow her examp!e-but no
until l had again made sure that tn
door was locked and had placed :
shaded lamp on the stand at the heat
of the bed.
1t must have been near eleven o'clocl
when l was awakened, not by sound
for did not hear any, but by some
ing between me and the light.
I sprang up without disturbing Hat
tie, and looked everywhere about til
room for some sign Of the mysteriou
presence, Or whatever it was that ha
so unpleasantly awakened me; but
saw nothing.
drew up the shade and looked ou
or the lawn. Absolute silence reiSne