vorable enough so far as our purpose was concerned, yet I fervently
wished we had postponed our arrival until daylight. While the negro's
ghost had no terrors for me--indeed, merely afforded amusement--I
realized my companion was not so indifferent. She pressed closer to me
in the narrow seat, her eyes on the dusky shadows. I endeavored to
laugh away her fears, but got little response. The road was a lonely
one, although apparently well traveled, bordered by rail fences and,
deserted-looking fields. Once we passed through a swamp, and skirted
the edge of timber. Then we turned to the right into a branch track,
where low bushes brushed our wheels. By this time it was quite dark,
and Pete was obliged to hold in his horses. There was a quarter moon
in the sky, just enough to give everything a spectral look, with no
human habitation visible, and owls hooting dismally in the distance.
It was uncanny in the extreme, and even I felt the desolation, and
became silent. Pete whistled stoutly, but without enthusiasm,
occasionally turning his head to make sure we were still there. I
could hear her quick breathing, and feel an occasional clutch of her
fingers on my sleeve at some unusual sound. Suddenly the negro pulled
up before a high hedge, and I perceived the white glimmer of a gate
opposite us, the black shadow of trees beyond.

"Here we am, sah," he whispered, glancing about fearful, "an' de good
Lord knows I 'se glad tain't no furder. You just han' me a dollar,
sah, an' den I 'se goin' fur to git out o' dis."

"Is that the house in there?"

"Suah, you ought for to know dat. Tain't changed none, 'cept run down
a bit, far as I know. Here am your grips, sah."

We had no sooner alighted than he wheeled his team, and departed,
whipping the horses into a run. I felt her hand grip my sleeve, and
glanced aside into her face.

"Frightened?" I asked, endeavoring to speak easily. "Don't let that
fellow bother you; surely you do not believe in spooks?"

"No," her voice trembling, "but it is all so desolate. I--I wish we
had waited until daylight."

"Well, frankly, so do I," I responded, "but the thought comes too late.
There is nothing left us but to try the house; we cannot pass the night
out here."

"No, oh, no!"

"Then come on," and I picked up the suit cases. "We will probably be
laughing at ourselves in five minutes. You will have to unlatch the
gate."

It was held in place by a sagging rope, but open