The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-13

"Iet me help you." 50. suggested. coming quite close to him with uneasy glances over her shoulders.
 Ten minutes later they were sitting before roaring fire, quite content even though there was a suggestion or amazed ghosts lurking in the hallway behind them. No doubt old man Grimes and his wife. if they awoke in the course of the night, groaned deep prayers in response to the bright light from the windows of the haunted house. Shaw and Penelope smiled se- curely as they listened to the bowling storm outside.
 "Well, this is trespassing," she said. beaming a happy smile upon him..
 T shall be obliged to drive you out. alas," he said refectively. .'Do you recall my VOW? As long as you are a Bazelhurst, I must perforce eject you"
 "Not tonightw she cried in mock dis may
 "But, as an alternative. you'll not be Bazelhurst long," he went on eagerly. suddenly taking her hands into his. forgetful of the wounded left. I'm going to try trespassing myself. Tomorrow I'm going to see your brother It's regular, you know. I'm going to. tell the head of your elan that you are coming over to Shaw, heart and hand.''
 "Ohp' she exclaimed. t'You-you-- no, no! You must not do thatg'
 "But, my dear, you are going to marry me-"
 "Yes-I-suppose so." she murmured helplessly. That isn't what meant. I mean it isn't necessary to ask Cecil. Ask me; I'll consent for him."
 Half an hour passed. Then he went to the window and looked out into the storm.
 You must lie down and get some ''The storms letting up. but we can't leave here for quite while. I'll sit up and watch. I'm too happy to sleep" She protested. but her heavy eyes were his allies. Soon he sat alone before the fire; she slept sound on the broad couch in the corner, a steamer rug across her knees. A contented smile curved his lips as he gazed rehectively into the flames He was not thinking of Mrs. Renwood's amiable ghost.
 How long she had been asleep Pene- lope did not know. She awoke with start, her flesh creeping. A nameless dread came over her; she felt that she was utterly alone and surrounded by horrors. Ir was a full ninute-a sick ening hour, it seemed before she real ized that she was in the room with the man she loved. Her frightened eyes caught sight. of him lying back in the chair before the dying fire in the chim- ney place. The lights were low, the shadows gaunt and chill.
 A terrified exclamation started to her lips. Her ears again caught the sound of some ore moving in the house. some alien visitor, There was no mis- taking the sound-the distant, sepulch- ral laugh and the shufiing of feet, al- most at the edge of the couch, it seemed.
 "RandolphP' she whispered hoarsely. The man in the chair did not move She threw off the blanket and came to a sitting posture on the side of the couch, her fingers clutching the cover ing with tense horror. Again the soft. rumbling laugh and the sound of foot steps on the stairway. Like a flash she sped across the room and clutched frantically at Randolphs shoulders. He awoke with an exclamation, star ing bewildered into the mortified face above
 'The-the ghostP' she gasped. her eyes glued upon the hall door. He leaped to his feet and threw his arms about her.
 You've had bad dream.' he said. sWhat beast was to fall asleep. Lord. you're frightened half out of your wits Don't nemble so, dearest. There's no ghost. Every one knnws'--
 "Listen-listenw she whispered. To- gether they stood motionless, almost breathless before the fire. the glow from which threw their shadows across the room to meet the mysterious in- vader.
 Good Lord.' he muttered. unwilling to believe his ears. There is some one in the house. Twelve heard sounds here before, but not like these" Distinctly to their startled ears came the low, subdued murmur of a human voice and then unmistakahie moans from the very depth of the earth-. from the grave, it seemed.
 DO you ,hearr' she whispered. "Oh. this dreadful piacel Take me away. Randolph, dear"-
 Don't be afraid" he said, drawing her close. There's nothing super natural about those sounds. They come from lips as much alive as ours. I'll investigate" He grabbed the heavy | poker from the chimney corner and started toward the door. She followed close behind, his assurance restoring in a measure the courage that had temporarily deserted her.
 In the hallway they paused to look out over the broad porch. The storm had died away, signing it's own re quiem in the misty treetops. Dawn was not far away. A thick fog was rising to meet the first glance of day. Tn surprise Shaw looked at his watch, her face at his shoulder. It was after 5 o'clock.
 "Ghosts turn in at midnight, dear,' he said, with a cheerful smile. They