The apparition has never been seen again, though many a Catholic guest
has visited Ardmuir House. More wonderful still--the curse seems to have
been averted by the laying of the ghost; for young Gilbert Ashol has so
greatly improved in health and strength that his doctors predict for him
a probably long and useful life.

The family has indeed been thoroughly impressed by the strange
circumstances just related. In the light of their increasing interest in
all things Catholic, Val is beginning to entertain hopes of the ultimate
return of the Ashols to the Faith their fathers abandoned more than three
hundred years ago.




IX

SPRING'S RETURN


"Now Ariel goes a-singing, by the olden
Dark yews, where flitter-mice were wont to cling.
All the world is turning golden, turning golden
In the spring."
(_Nora Hopper--"April"_)


"Guess the latest news, Ted," said my brother, coming in from parochial
visits.