The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-07-30

I
fnexplainabIe. a vague barrier had
arisen between US. could not trace
| it to any word or action on her part,
! and yet felt held away as by an In
visible hand Her very cordially ex-
/ hibited a reserve which made me
clearly comprehend that the slightest
| familiarity would be checked.
/ 1t was at the close of the following
afternoon when our train reached Car
rolltcn The depot must have been
/ mile from the town. and very few peo-
pie We're upon the platform, two drum
mers and ourselves the only ones to
disembark The travelling men hasten
ed to the nearest hack. while glanced
about in search Of conveyance. The
only other vehicle present was two
| seated surrey, driven by rather dis
reputable negro. | approached In some
doubt.
"No. sah." he said grinning. DIG
yere am my own curridge. sab: faint
nothin' ter do wild de Henley planta-
ton. reckon dey done didn't git no
telegram ! reckon you'se Massa Phil
ip Henley. sab, though you've sure
growed some since ! saw you de las
time. Is OIL Pete, sab. | reckon you
remembers oil 'ete."
"Of course do" returned heartily,
encouraged by his words to believe l
would pass muster. Can you drive US
outT'
The negro scratched bis head.
Il reckon as how | can. sab, least
I s. - ~.
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. pshaw." | laughed. turning to-
ward the silent girl. I'VE will risk
the ghost If you'll drive US out Put
in the grips"
He climbed into his place. but with
no special alacrity. but whipped his
team into a swift trot, evidently anx-
ious to complete the trip as early as
possible.
Pete" | asked, who Is out there
now?"
The negro turned so / could see the
whites of his eyes
AT de Henley plantation. sab? Why.
| reckon de oberseer an de house
keeper-both white folks. done don't
know Just who dey am fer SHIRE.
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 after dark
"The overseer and housekeeper. then.
are newly employedr'
Dem am de fac's, sab. Deb amt
been dar no time at all. an | reckon
as how dey won't stay long. though
de niggers say de oberseer am bad
man"
Here was a pleasant situation sure
~. While the conditions were favor
able enough SO far as our purpose was
concerned, yet | 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-l 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. endeavOred
to laugh away her fears, but got little
response. The road was a lonely one.
although apparently well Travelled, bor-
dered by rail fences and deserted look
ing fields.
Suddenly the negro pulled up before
high hedge. and | perceived the
white glimmer of gate opposite US.
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
run. felt her hand grip my sleeve
and glanced aside into her face.
"FrightenedY" asked, endeayoring
to speak easily. Don't let that fellow
bother you: surely you do not believe
in spooksT'
NO" her voice trembling. "but 1t
is all SO desolate. IL wish we had
waited until daylight
well. frankly. SO do l." responded.
"but come on" and | picked up the
suit cases. I'VE will probably be
laughing at ourselves in FIVE minutes
You will have to unlatch the gate"
1t was held In place by sagging
rope. Out OpeDeu uoiseiessiy' anu we
advanced on to brick walk, so little
used as to be half hidden by weeds
growing In the creyices. The moon
dimly revealed rank vegetation on Ell
Their side. while ahead beneath the tree
shadows the darkness was profound
There was no sound, no falntest 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 a 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 a huge
figure. suddenly emerged- from the