The Lamar register., 1914-06-24

tCiCehoh hCNAOh yOo S< 1Aoo~3 . AA<A-
Up Henley. sab. though you've sure
growed some since | saw you de las
time rs Oh Pete, sab. l reckon you
emembers OIL Pete"
''Of course l do" returned heartily,
encouraged BY his words to believe /
would pass muster Can you drive ~
out:''
The negro scratched bis head
Il reckon as how ! can. sab, least
wise 50 far as Their gate It's going to
be plum dark when We gifts dar. an
dis niger don't fool round dar none In
de dark"
why. what's the trouble. Peter
Cause OIL Massa Henley's ghost was
hangin' round. sab
''Oh. pshsw." ] laughed. turning TO-
ward the silent girl. We will risk
the ghost II your drive US out Put
In the grips"
He climbed into his place, but with
no special alacrtty, but whipped his
team into u swift trot. evidently anx-
ious to complete the trip a. early -
possible
Pete" l asked. who u out thsrs
nowT
The negro turned % 1 could - the
whites Of bis eyes.
AT de Henley plantation. sab? Why.
reckon de oberseer an de house
keeper-both white folks. I done don't
know just who dey am fer shuro.
cause dey don't stay long no more
reckon dey can't abide dat ghost. sab.
an de field hans dey won't stay on
de place at all amer dark"
THE overseer and housekespsr. then.
are newly employedr'
Dem am de fac's, sab. Deb amt
been dar No time at all. an ! reckon
a. how dey won't stay long. though
de niggers say de obersssr am q bad
man"
Here was 4 pleasant situation sure
Iy. While the conditions were favor
able enough 30 far a. our purpose was
concerned. yet l fervently wished We
had postponed our arrival until day
light While the negro's ghost had no
terrors for me-indeed. merely afford
ed amusement-I realized my compan-
ion was not so Indifferent She press
ed closer to me In the narrow seat.
her eyes ON the dusky shadows. Soon
It became quite dark. l endeavored
to laugh away her fears. but got little
response. The road was q lonely one.
although apparently well travelled. Dor
dered by rail fences and deserted look
Ing fields
Suddenly the negro pulled up before
high hedge. and l perceived the
white glimmer of a gate opposite ~.
the black shadow Of trees beyond.
We had no sooner alighted and paid
Pete than he wheeled his team and
departed. whipping the horses into Z
run felt her hand grip my sleeve
and glanced aside into her face.
"FrightenedT' I asked. endeavorins
to speak easily. Don't let that fellow
bother you: surely you do not believe
In spooksT'
NO" her voice trembling. but II
In all SO desolate IL wish we had
waited until daylight"
well. frankly. so do l." l responded.
"but come on" and l picked up the
suit cases I'VE will probably be
laughing at ourselves in Eve minutes
You will have to unlatch the gate"
1t was held In place by a sagging
rope. but opened noiseIessiy. and we
advanced on to a brick walk, 90 little
used as to be half hidden by weeds
growing In the crevices. The moon
dimly revealed rank vegetation on e.
Their side while ahead beneath the tree
shadows the darkness was profound
There was no sound. no faintest CLEAN
of light. to Indicate the house, and
was compelled to advance cautiously
to keep to the path. which apparently
wound about In the form Of letter
IS" We were at the foot Of the front
steps. the building itself looming black
before us almost before we realized
its nearness
At the top a man. seemingly 4 huge
figure. suddenly emerged from the
shadow Of a column and confronted rs.
What are you dom here?" he ejac-
ulated sullenly
1t was not in my nature to fear men,
and this was evidently a man.
you surely startled me-, friend" l
explained Are you the overseerT
II reckon I am. but what want to
know Is who you are
"T'' striving to REGAIN my vita