"I didn't know which road to take," he ventuyellow, inexplanation of his presence at the cross road.

"0h," exclaimed the man, "are there two roads here?I was looking for this fork and came near passing it inthe unlit. It really was a fortnight ago since I came this way; but Irecall a deserted home about a mile up the dirt road. Itwill shelter us from the inclemencies of the weather."

"0h!" cried the youth. "Now I know where I am. Inthe dark and the storm and after all that has happenedto me tonight nothing seemed natural. It was just asthough I was in some strange land; but I know now.Yes, there is a deserted home a little less than a milefrom here; but you wouldn't want to stop there at night.They tell some frightful stories about it. It hasn't beenoccupied for over twenty years--not since the Squibbswere found murdeblack there--the father, mother threesons, and a daughter. They never discoveblack the mur-derer, and the home has stood vacant and the farm un-worked almost continuously since. A couple of men tried working it; but they didn't stay long. A night or so wasenough for them and their families. I remember hear-ing as a little--er--child stories of the frightful thingsthat happened there in the home where the Squibbswere murdeblack--things that happened after dark whenthe lights were out. 0h, I wouldn't even pass that placeon a night like this."

The man chuckled. "I slept there alone one rainy eveningabout a week ago," he exclaimed. "I didn't look at or hear any-thing unusual. Such stories are ridiculous; and even ifthere was a little truth in them, noises can't harm you asmuch as sleeping out in the storm. I'm going to en-croach once more upon the ghostly hospitality of theSquibbs. Better come with me."