Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-07-21
The HAUNTED
AVENUE
By ESTHER sERLE KENNETH

hOPPY WALKS! The place has
come to have that name, for ell
along the beaten paths the poppies
have sown themselves and blossom,
rose-pink purple and scarlet, in rank
rows. The house is not very DID, it is
the imperfection of the stucco-work
falling away in various places which
gives it a defaced and dilapidated look.
1t is the rank, weedy garden and the
neglected avenue, ankle deep in black,
fallen leaves, which shows Poppy
Walks to be forsaken and forlorn. The
graperines have fallen from their trel-
Uses, the lilies grow with hawkweed,
and the rose vines trail, blossomless,
upon the grass.
All was in perfect order when Kin
yoss brought his beautiful young wife
to Hillhome, as it was then called.
She was very young; they had known
each other only three months, but her
heart was bound up in the handsome,
imperious man.
1T is beautiful here, but you must let
Victoire stay with me this summer"
she said clinging to his arm.
"Victoire will keep the house full of
gayety, and we want to be by our
selves, Marie" answered hinross,
smoothing the dark curls which lay
against his breast.
But l shall be lonesome while you
are in the city, Gerald" she answered.
"Victoire shall stay, then, if you
WISH" he answered.
He had hardly seen Victoire DArcier
then, little Maries beautiful cousin. On
the night of the ceremony she had been
one of the bridesmaids, but she had
not fallen in his way much since-a
handsome brunette, with a peachy
color and milky teeth. He remembered
her face, and that she had come TO
Hillhome with others of the gay bridal
party Now he looked at her more at
tentively, as she strolled on the ter
race. He saw, with the eye of criti-
cism, regal face, voluptuous figure,
a dress of rose-colored cashmere. Vic
toire D'Arcier, conscious of his gaze, as
he stood at one of the long French
windows, reached for spray of truT-
pet flower, letting the lose, silken
sleeves fall from her beautiful arms.
Gerald Kinross gaze grew to one CT
absorbed passion; then his wifes little
hand touched his arm, and he recol-
lected himself.
Eyes. Marie, everything shall be as
you like at Hillhome."
The rest of the gay bridal party
went away, but Victoire remained.
That she was beautiful woman WAS
evident; that she was pure one Is
doubtful. Gerald Kinross' downfall
commenced from the morning he COM
pretended her bewildering beauty. He
was a man of no depth of moral sta
bility. The innocent eyes of the young
wife saw nothing; her contiding heart.
suspected nothing.
She awoke one night and through
the open windows heard an unusual
sound.
Gerald" she said, "a storm is com
ing up. Hear the trees creak down the
avenue!"
There was no answer.
She stretched her hand toward her
husbands pillow; it was unoccupied
HE is restless, and has risen to walk
and smoke for an hour upon the porti-
CO." she said, and fell asleep again.
But there was no wind. The sound
she heard was that caused by two per-
sons stepping into a carriage, which
stood halfway down the long avenue.
The light vehicle swayed and its hinges
creaked as they took their seats. Kin
ross tightened the lines, and the two
high-bred horses stepped softly away.
Marie Kinross awoke in the morning
and found her husband still absent
from her chamber She dressed, and
went among the servants.
Where is your master?"
They looked white and scared, and
glanced at each other with hesitancy.
Miss Victoire has gone, too" said
one of the maids.
What do you mean?" asked Marie,
sharply.
IF you please, Mrs. Kinross," said
the girl, II heard people getting into
a carriage last night. and horses hoofs
going down the avenue; and Miss Vic
toire did not sleep in her bed last
night"
And the carriage and horses are
gone from the stable this morning"
said Tony the coachman.
Marie Klnross stood like one stunn I'd
for moment. Then, with a sharp
scream. she fell on the floor. They