The Ghost of Guir House

"Why so? Explain. Surely Miss Guir is a very charming young lady."

"I reckon she be, boss; dough for my part I ain't nebber seed her.

Folks says as how it ain't good luck when she trabels on de road."

"What do you mean? Are any of her people accused of crime?"

"Not as ever I heerd on, sir."

"Then explain yourself. Speak!"

But not another word was to be gotten out of the man. He was like one

grown suddenly dumb, save for the power of an occasional shout to his

horses. A mile beyond this the driver drew up his team, and turning

abruptly, said: "You see dat paf?"

After peering doubtfully through the moonlight into the black shadows

beyond, Paul thought he discerned the outline of a narrow wood road,

and placing a tip in the man's hand, picked up his satchel and

climbed down to the ground.

"Tank 'ee, sir, and de Lawd take keer o' you when you gets to de

Guirs'," called the driver, as he cracked his whip and drove away,

leaving Mr. Henley standing by the roadside listening to the

retreating wheels of the coach. The forest was dense, and the

moonlight, struggling through the tree-tops, fell upon the ground in

patches, adding to the obscurity. Henley seated himself upon a fallen

tree, to await the arrival of the cart. Although quite as courageous

as the average of men, he could not help a slight feeling of

apprehension concerning the outcome of his enterprise. Of course, he

knew nothing about these people; but the girl was prepossessing and

refined to an unusual degree. It seemed impossible that she could be

acting as a decoy for unworthy ends. He laughed at the thought, and

at the fun he would some day have in recounting his fears to her, and

at her imaginary explanation of the driver's silly talk. At the same

time he examined his revolver, which he kept well concealed, despite

the law, in the depths of a convenient pocket.

When twenty minutes had passed, he began to grow impatient for the

girl's arrival, and, when half an hour was up, started down the road

to meet her. Scarcely had he done so when the sound of approaching

wheels greeted his ears, and directly after Miss Guir was in full

view.

"I hope you have been successful," Paul asked as she drew up beside

him.

"Quite," answered the girl; "indeed, they put in a new spring for me;

and we can now drive home without fear."